My Genealogy Hound

JOSEPH J. McGINLEY, long identified with the Times Publishing Company of Norristown, is one of the most active young business men of that borough. He is largely self-educated, having left school at an early age to make his way in the world. He is the son of Francis and Mary (Walters) McGinley and was born at Norristown, August 20, 1868.

Francis McGinley (father) is a native of Ireland, where he lived until he was fourteen years of age. He then came to America with relatives and resided for a short time at Frankford, Philadelphia. He then went to Norristown and learned the trade of shoemaker. After completing his apprenticeship in 1852, he worked as a journeyman for a number of years. He then began business as a shoe dealer on his own account, at 270 East Main street, where he still carries on the business, though now nearly seventy years of age. Politically he is a Democrat and in religious faith a Catholic. He is highly esteemed as a man of honesty and integrity, who attends faithfully to every duty as a man and a citizen. In 1854 he married Mary Walters, daughter of Daniel Walters of Norristown, and the couple have ten children, as follows: Daniel, long engaged in the printing business in New York city; John, Frank and James, all deceased; Clara, who married Charles Dale of Norristown; Joseph J., the subject of this sketch; Annie and Bernard, who died young; Edward, a paper ruler by trade; and Mary, a stenographer. Mrs. McGinley is also a native of Ireland, and is slightly younger than her husband.

Bernard McGinley (grandfather) was a native and lifelong resident of County Donegal, Ireland.

Joseph J. McGinley has been a lifelong resident of Norristown, where he attended the public schools a short time, and afterward St. Patrick’s parochial school until he was thirteen years of age. He worked in a woolen mill for three years, then resumed study for a year in the parochial school, and afterward learned the carpenter trade, completing his apprenticeship in the planing mill of Guest, Grater & Company. He attended night schools, taking a course in bookkeeping at Schissler’s School of Business. He also solicited newspaper and other advertising and orders for periodicals for a time. In 1892 he accepted a position as bookkeeper with the Times Publishing Company of Norristown, gradually working his way upward until he has become its secretary and general business manager. Industry, careful attention to business and persistence in what he undertakes, are his distinguishing qualities, and they have made his influence felt in the community in which he lives.

In politics Mr. McGinley is a Republican and he takes an active interest in the success of its candidates. He is clerk of the Bridgeport borough council. He is a member of the Catholic church as are the other members of his family. He is interested in everything pertaining to the public welfare.

Mr. McGinley married, in 1897, Miss Bridget McHugo, daughter of Mrs. Margaret McHugo. The couple reside in Bridgeport. They have two children living: Alfred and Eleanor, and one deceased.