James J. Walsh, who for four years has been collector of internal revenue for the district of Connecticut, comprising the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island, and makes his home at Meriden, was born in Springfield, Massachusetts, November 25, 1872, a son of James J. and Ellen (Hayes) Walsh, who had a family of seventeen children, James J. being the ninth in order of birth. The family record is a remarkable one in that all of these children are yet living.

     James J. Walsh acquired a public school education and also attended St. Michael’s parochial school, the Cathedral high school and Childs’ Business College, all of Springfield, Massachusetts. He entered upon his business career in the employ of Bordeaux & Walsh, book and job printers at Springfield, and following his removal to Meriden he acted as foreman of the Meriden Journal for ten years. Later he went upon the road as traveling salesman for the Meriden Bronze Company and afterward was called to positions of a public character, being made superintendent of the Meriden water department, in which capacity he served acceptably for four years. On the expiration of that period he was appointed collector of internal revenue for the district of Connecticut and has so continued for four years. He is also identified with the Silver City Realty Company of Meriden, of which he formerly was treasurer for three years and is now a director.

     On the 19th of June, 1902, in Meriden, Mr. Walsh was united in marriage in St. Rose’s church by the Rev. John Cooney to Miss Jennie Hanrahan, a daughter of Mrs. Catharine Hanrahan, and they have three children, E. Marion, Monica and Catherine.

     In politics Mr. Walsh has always been a democrat since age conferred upon him the right of franchise. He was an assistant secretary of the democratic convention held in St. Louis in June, 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson was renominated. He served for four years as councilman of Meriden, representing the first ward, and he has been prominent and active in community affairs. He is also a leading member of the Foresters of America, being identified with the grand court of the state of Connecticut and acting as grand treasurer for sixteen years. He has likewise been record keeper of the Knights of The Maccabees for seven years and is also a member of Meriden Court of the Foresters of America and belongs to the Knights of Columbus and the Ancient Order of Hibernians. In club circles he is well known, belonging to the Amaranth Club of Meriden, of which he is a past president and secretary; the City Club of Hartford; the John Dillon Club of Meriden; the Democratic Club of New Haven; and the Democratic Club of Meriden. He is a man of social, genial nature who wins friends wherever he goes and this, combined with his marked ability, has well qualified him for the positions of leadership to which he has been called in relation to business, official and political interests in New Haven county and Connecticut.