J. Herbert Gilroy, a popular and able young attorney of Utica who is rapidly winning prominence in his chosen profession, has taken an active part in the work of the American Legion as an officer in county and state organizations. He was born in Utica, New York, on the 27th of January, 1895, of the marriage of James T. and Mary J. Gilroy. After completing a course of study in the Utica Free Academy he entered Syracuse University in 1913 and four years later was graduated therefrom with the degree of LL. B. He then became a clerk in the law offices of the firm of Kernan & Kernan in Utica, but in 1918 he joined the army as a private and thereafter served with the chemical warfare service until honorably discharged with the rank of sergeant in 1919. Resuming his clerkship with Kernan & Kernan, he continued in the offices of that firm until 1921, when he began practicing independently in Utica, where he has since built up an enviable clientage for one of his years, handling litigation of growing volume and importance. He was admitted to the bar in 1918 and by reason of his manifest ability in the work of the courts has already gained a creditable reputation among his professional colleagues and contemporaries. As democratic candidate for the office of district attorney in 1919 and for that of special city judge three years later, he was defeated by only a small majority, and he is now assistant corporation counsel for the city of Utica. In 1923 he was designated by Governor Smith as commissioner to investigate charges preferred against Sheriff Burt E. Smalley of Seneca county.
As above stated, Mr. Gilroy is a prominent representative of the American Legion in New York, having been made secretary of the Oneida county organization in 1921 and a member of its executive committee for the years 1923 and 1924. He was commander of Charles H. Adrean Post, No. 625, in 1923 and the same year acted as chairman of the state civil service committee of the Department of New York.
On the 7th of April, 1920, Mr. Gilroy was united in marriage to Miss Louise R. Johnson, daughter of M. P. Johnson of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Mr. and Mrs. Gilroy are the parents of a son, James H., whose natal day was August 3, 1921.
Fraternally Mr. Gilroy is identified with the Knights of Columbus, being deputy knight of Utica Council No. 189, and he likewise belongs to Elks Lodge No. 33 and to two Greek letter societies — Phi Kappa Psi and Phi Delta Phi. He is a devout communicant of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic church and a popular member of the University Club, the Utica Golf and Country Club and the City Club. Along strictly professional lines he has membership connection with the Oneida County Bar Association. The circle of his friends is a wide one, for his attractive personality and the sterling worth of his character have gained for him the warm regard and esteem of all with whom he has been associated.