Thomas F. Reilly, attorney at law and justice of the peace in New Haven, has been a lifelong resident of the city in which he now resides. He was born May 18, 1892, a son of William J. Reilly, a native of Ireland, who on coming to America in 1867 took up his abode in New Haven, where he engaged in business along mechanical lines. He is a democrat and was active in political circles yet never sought nor desired office for himself. He is now living retired. His wife, who in her maidenhood was Catherine Reilly and therefore did not change her name at her marriage, was also born in Ireland and in 1870 came alone to the United States. She was married in New Haven, where she still resides. They became the parents of eight children, five sons and three daughters, all of whom are yet living: Matthew, residing in New Haven; Sister Admirabilis, who is principal of the commercial department of St. Joseph's Seminary at Hartford; Philip, a real estate dealer of New Haven; Julia G., who is with the New Haven Gas Company; Sister Camilla, in St. Agnes convent at Bridgeport; Thomas F.; William J., the organist in St. Joseph's church of Westville; and John J., a student in St. Thomas Seminary at Hartford, where he is preparing for the priesthood.
     Thomas F. Reilly, after attending the Sacred Heart school of New Haven, continued his education in the high school and the Booth Preparatory School, from which he was graduated in 1910. Later he entered the law department of Yale University, being numbered among its alumni of 1913. He has since engaged continuously and successfully in practice and has made for himself a creditable position at the bar. He earned his first money as a newsboy and he also worked in clerical lines in order to gain a sum sufficient to enable him to pursue his college course. The determination which he thus displayed has been a characteristic of his professional career and is leading to his steady advancement at the bar. He is also president of the Clara Moore Corset Company and is a stockholder of the Reliance Electric Company of New Haven. He is a member of St. Joseph's Catholic church and judge advocate of San Salvador Council of the Knights of Columbus. In politics he is an active democrat and his opinions carry weight in the local councils of his party. He is a member of the New Haven County Bar Association, is much interested in community affairs and is a helpful member of the Civic Federation, standing at all times for progressiveness in municipal interests.