Family background
James Joseph Reilly was born c1855 at County Cavan, Ireland, the son of Thomas Reilly and wife Catherine. He married (1) Ann McCann (1853-99) on 22 June 1882 at Woollahra, NSW, and they had three sons and two daughters. He married (2) Winifred Ryan (1868-1957) in 1928 at Newtown, NSW, and they had two daughters. Reilly died at Marrickville, NSW, on 19 May 1928, aged 73 years; he was buried at Rookwood Cemetery in the Old Catholic Mortuary. He left a Will and his estate and assets were assessed at £4,533. James Reilly lived in Belmont Street, Alexandria.
Occupation & interests
Reilly was a builder. He immigrated to Sydney via New Zealand and Brisbane.
Community activity
Reilly was a Freemason and a member of St Patrick’s Branch, No 38, H A C B Society in 1882, and for many years he was a trustee of the branch.
Local government service
James Reilly was an alderman on Alexandria Council 1908-10 representing the South Ward.
References
‘Local Government’, The Sydney Morning Herald: 3 February 1908, p. 8, https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/page/1314609