James Martin Daly (1850-1927)

Generation: 1

Lineage: Michael-A

James Martin DEELY was baptised on 18 Jun 1850 at St. Michael's Catholic Church, Limerick, Co Limeric, Ireland. His godparents were Jeremiah DEELY & Mary Grany, who may have been neightbors, friends or relatives. Jeremiah was probably a relative. The church register indicates his parents were Michael & Johanna DEELY.

James enlisted with the Prince Consort's Own Rifle Brigade on 27 Jun 1862 at Dublin at the age of 14. The Rifle Brigade is called the Royal Greenjackets today. His discharge papers indicate that he purchased his enlistment for £20 on 7 Apr 1870 indicating his intention to emigrate to New York. The photo at right shows him with a baton, indicating he was in the Regimental band. His brother John (1848-1915) was also in the Rifle Brigade and played in the band.

He became a US citizen on 26 Oct 1877 at Elmira, Chemung Co, NY.

James married Mary Teresa MORONEY on 7 Feb 1876 st St. Patrick's [RC] Church, Elmira, Chemung Co, NY.

The 1880 US Census for Emira, Chemung Co, NY indicates he was a 30 year old musician. Twenty-six (26) year old single sister-in-law, Bridget MARONEY, was living with James & Mary and appears on the 1880 census with them.

James & Mary had the following children:

• John Edward DALY was born in 1876 and died in 1925 (no issue)
• James Patrick DALY was born 1880 (one child, died young)
• Florence Elmo DALY was born 1883 (no issue)
• Mary Teresa DALY was born 1886 (no issue)
• Leo Francis DALY was born 1889 (no issue)
• Joseph Eugene DALY was born 1892 and died in 1945 (6 children)

By 1883 the family had moved to Sayre, Bradford Co, PA and he was working for the Lehigh Valley Railroad (LVRR) as a clerk. He was later identified as an accountant. At one point James was a candidate to be relocated to Buffalo so friends ran him for tax collector in order to keep their band leader. He didn't win but he wasn't transferred either.

James led several bands during his lifetime, including the Sayre Elks Band and the R. A. Packer Band. He player trumpet. His son Elmo also played in the Elks band. His son John, who became a doctor, left the band to practice medicine in Ulster where he joined/led the Ulster Band.

The family opened a grocery store st 99-1/2 Stevenson in Sayre. Son James Patrick was the grocer with Mary & Leo as clerks. During the Great Northeast Railroad Strike(s) that occurred after World War I the family gave credit to strikers until the store had to close. The photo at right shows the delivery wagon. Leo is in the photo.