BIO: John D. Hillery; Buffalo, Erie, Co., NY

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

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History of Northwestern New York: Erie, Niagara, Wyoming, Genesee and
Orleans Counties.
Lewis Historical Pub. Company, pub. about 1947 (?)
Vol. 3 Biographies

THE HON. JOHN D. HILLERY
To those who know their northwestern New York and are familiar with the names
of public leaders in this section of the State, the mention of the Hon. John
D. Hillery is sufficient to identify him as one of its outstanding citizens.
As lawyer and jurist, he has won repute; for his civic and official activities
he is highly esteemed, and he is popular as a clubman and member of a wide
variety of organizations.

He is a native of Buffalo, born on February 2, 1896, son of Dennis J. and
Barbara (Bowers) Hillery, both of whom are now deceased. Many years ago his
father settled at Buffalo, where for thirty-four years, prior to his death in
1924, he was attached to the city police department. He lived to see his son
of this record established in the legal profession, a member of the bar and an
official of the State.

John D. Hillery was educated in the parochial schools of his birth city, St.
Theresa's, the Hutchin son Central High School, where he was graduated with
the class of 1915, and the Buffalo University Law School, where he received
the degree of Bachelor of Laws, in 1920. His studies had been interrupted by
military service during World War I, when he joined the United States Navy,
and was attending the Great Lakes School of this branch of the armed forces of
our country when the Armistice was signed. After receiving his honorable
discharge from the service, he completed his law studies and in 1922 was
admitted to the bar of New York. During most of 1923-24, he was a Deputy
Attorney General of the State, and from 1924 to 1929 was associated with the
law firm of Bagley, Wechter and Irvin, in Buffalo. From 1929 to 1934 he
engaged in a general practice of his profession without partners, and then,
until January, 1938, he was the assistant district attorney of Erie County. In
March, 1938, he was appointed associate judge of the city court, Buffalo, and
in November, 1938, was elected associate judge of this court. In 1939 he was
made chief city judge of the Buffalo City Court, his present (1946) post, and
on the bench has made a noteworthy record not alone as a dispenser of strict
justice, but as a man of wisdom who has endeavored always to reclaim the
delinquent from their ways and turn them into paths that lead to useful
citizenship. A genuine humanitarian, because he truly loves his fellowmen,
Judge Hillery has endeavored in a hundred ways to help those who most needed
the aid of the community, and to lend leadership to groups and organizations
that work for the betterment and welfare of all classes of people.

In keeping with his philosophy of life, Judge Hillery has affiliated himself
with many organizations, ranging from the professional to the purely social. A
roster of his memberships would include those in the New York State Bar
Association, the Erie County Bar Association, the New York State Association
of Magistrates and the Buffalo Lawyers Club. He likewise is a member of the
Tn-Abbott-South Park Business Men's Association, South Buffalo Business Men’s
Association, Lions Club of South Buffalo, the Ad Club, Central Railway Club,
Young Men's Christian Association (Abbott Road Branch). Automobile Club of
Buffalo, and the Buffalo Police Mutual Aid and Benefit Association. He belongs
to the National Conference of Catholic Charities, Navy Association of Western
New York, Civil Service Association, Buffalo Council No. 110, 40 & 8, and
fraternally he is affiliated with Buffalo Tribe, No. 433, Improved Order of
Red Men, the Boreal, and the Loyal Order of Moose, also the United Irish-
American Association of Erie County. A devout Catholic worshipping at St.
Thomas Aquinas Qiurch, of which he is a lay trustee, he is a member of the
Holy Name Society, of this church, the National Conference of Catholic
Charities, Mercy Hospital Sustaining Society, St. Vincent de Paul, St. Thomas
Aquinas, and a member of the board of directors of the Holy Name Society of
this church. He is also a member of the Hotel Greeters Association and Knights
of Equity. A staunch Democrat, influential in party counsels and campaigns,
Judge Hillery is a member of the Fourth Assembly District Democratic Club,
Little Mayors of Buffalo and Erie County, Central and Hutchinson Central
Alumni, of which he is a life member. As a youth he excelled in baseball and
football, and he retains a lively interest in sports and competitions.

On April 4, 1923, at Buffalo, New York, the Hon. John D. Hillery married Eva
C. Prentis, of Pennsylvania, daughter of Truman and Mary (Welch) Prentis, and
they are the parents of the following children: i. Jane Marie, born in Albany,
New York, August 26, 1924. a graduate of local parochial schools and Mercy
Academy, at Buffalo. 2. John D., Jr., born in Buffalo, August 7, 1926, a
graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas Parochial School, South Park High School, now
serving as seaman first class, United States Navy, World War II, who was an
honor man at the Training Station. Sampson Training Center, New York. 3.
Barbara Ann, born in Buffalo, April 29, 1930. a graduate of St. Thomas Aquinas
Parochial School, now an undergraduate at Mt. Mercy Academy. 4. Mary Margaret,
born at Buffalo, May 1, 1932, a student at St. Thomas Aquinas School. 5. James
Raymond, born in Buffalo, July 13, 1933, also a student at this school.