My Genealogy Hound

HON. HUGH E. CRILLY, formerly a member of the State Legislature from this county, claims Ireland as his native land, having been born in 1852. He is the son of James Crilly, who emigrated to America two years after his son’s birth, locating in Pennsylvania, in the city of Allentown. His wife, prior to her marriage known as Mary McDonald, was also born in the Emerald Isle, and was a lady of great natural talent and ability.

The original of this Sketch attended the public schools of Catasauqua and this city until attaining his fourteenth year, when he was obliged to make his own living, and was variously employed until becoming an employe in the rolling-mills of Allentown. There he obtained a practical knowledge of the iron business in all its details and remained until 1873. That year he began contracting for buildings and sewers, in which business his father was engaged. In the spring of 1891 Mr. Crilly was given the contract for grading the roadbed and laying the track of the Allentown & Bethlehem Rapid Transit Railroad, the greater portion of which was completed the same year. The following year he built the South Bethlehem branch, having in his employ at the time between two hundred and three hundred men. He also built a road for the same company running from Allentown to Catasauqua, and in every piece of workmanship gave entire satisfaction.

Mr. Crilly has constructed many bridges in Lehigh County, and has just recently completed a viaduct for the new electric road known as the Lehigh Traction Company. He is a stockholder in the Allentown & Bethlehem Rapid Transit Company, and has also been instrumental in inducing many large factories to locate in this city. In the fall of 1884 he was elected to represent this county in the legislature, serving a term of two years, and in 1886 was re-elected to the same position. During the first session he introduced a bill prohibiting the publication and sale of immoral literature, and had the satisfaction of having it passed, the law going into effect in July, 1885. Mr. Crilly is a member of the Board of Trade, of which he is one of the organizers, and in politics votes with the Democratic party.

May 12, 1887, our subject was united in marriage with Miss Mary Cannon, a native of Ireland, who came to America with her grandfather when quite young. They became the parents of a daughter, Mary, who is now deceased. They are both members of the Catholic Church, and are people who move in the best circles of society in the city.