by Samuel Hart, American Historical Society
p. 219
"SCULLY, Martin,
Enterprising Citizen, Public Official.
Martin Scully, son of Jeremiah and Bridget (Lawless) Scully, was born at Ballyeagle, County Queens, Ireland, in 1856. He began his education in the schools of his native town, and completed it in the evening schools of Waterbury, Connecticut, to which place he came in his seventeenth year. He first took employment in a factory in the city, but soon became engaged in newspaper work, first as a manager of the "Valley Catholic," and later in the capacity of reporter for the "Waterbury Democrat." He remained with the last-named journal more than twenty years, retiring to accept the office of mayor, a position to which he was elected in the fall of 1913. His administration proved so acceptable to the people, that he was elected for a second term, carrying every voting district in the city—a feat without a parallel in the history of the city. Prior to his election to the office of mayor, he had always taken an active part in public affairs. For eight years he had served on the Board of Public Works, for four years in the aldermanic chamber, and for two years as city auditor. He was also elected agent of the Bronson Library Fund for two terms of twelve years each, and is now president of that board. In politics he is a Democrat.
Mr. Scully has always taken a deep interest in Irish affairs. He was a member of the local branch of the Irish National League, and held in turn each office within that organization, including that of president. The First Division, Ancient Order of Hibernians, was organized in Waterbury early in the seventies. Mr. Scully became one of its members, and has been identified with it ever since. He is also a member of the Knights of Columbus, the Patrick Sarsfield Club, and was for a quarter of a century one of the most prominent members of the Catholic Literary Association. In 1888 he was chosen by the Irish Societies of Waterbury and New York to convey to Ireland the remains of Stephen J. Meany for interment in his native County Clare, a mission which Mr. Scully performed to the satisfaction of his countrymen both here and in the Old World. On his return he was banquetted by many prominent citizens, including "Catalpa" James Reynolds, who pronounced the work performed by Mr. Scully in connection with the Meany funeral, the most clean-handed affair of the kind that ever came to his notice.
In Waterbury, Mr. Scully filled the position of Sunday school superintendent of St. Patrick's Parish for eleven years. In 1893 he was sent to the World's Fair Catholic Columbian Congress at Chicago, by Rt. Rev. Lawrence S. McMahon, as one of the lay delegates from the Hartford Diocese. Mr. Scully is a virile writer, a logical and convincing speaker, and enjoys a large share of public confidence.
Mr. Scully married, in 1895, Miss Margaret C. O'Reilly, a native of Waterbury. They have eight children—six sons, and two daughters.
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