The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-01-16

It has often been said that "the
 folly of Q child, becomes the vice Of a youth, and the crime of a man."
 The neighbor I am going to introduce believes that, and for years he has been trying to correct the waywardness of many young
 lads of this city. This neighbor is John F. McGrath, judge of the city court and presiding justice in the juvenile tribunal. :. For years he has been Big Brother" to the youth of Waterbury.
 John Francis McGrath, son of Ed- ward and Annie l.. (Frutn) Nc. 0rath, was born in Waterbury, June 24th, 1878. Both his par ents were born In Ireland. His mother, @ native of Tipperary, dted in this city, In 1910. His father, 0 native of Limerick, died here Il years ago.
 Young John received, his early education in the elementary and high schools of this city and then entered Holy Cross college at Worcester, Mass. He studied one year and left to enter St. Francis college at Brooklyn, N. Y. .. Two years later, or in 1899, he enrolled at Yale Law School. In 1902 he graduated with Q bachelor of laws degree. He came directly to Water bury to practice and associated with the late Attorney Charles w. Bauby. In 1912 he formed partnership with Attorney Abner P. Hayes, and upon the death of the latter few years ago, teamed up with Attorney James M. Lynch, present compensa- ton commissioner. Two sons of Commissioner Lynch--J. Gregory and Walter J. Lynch-both barris- ters, and Attorney James w. Car roll, are now associated with the firm which has its suite of offices on the seventh floor of the Lilley build ing on West Main street.
 Attorney Mc0rath was appointed assistant prosecutor of the city court in 1907. He served in this ca- pacity until 1911 when he was named prosecuting attorney. Five years later Governor Marcus H. Holcomb selected him to serve the unexpired term of City Court Judge Patrick J. MclMahon. A year later the General Assembly approved the appointment of Judge Mc0rath and he has presided ever since. Ills for- mer colleague, Attorney Hayes, was also judge of the City Court up to the time of his death. Attorney Edward A. Mascolo is associated judge at this time.
 Judge Mc0rath, twice Q widower, Is now married to his former secre- tary, Miss Irene K. Cullen. Two children of his second marriage John r. Jr.. and Eleanor Mcorath-- are now attending college. John is Q senior ct Vilianova. while Eleanor is a scholar at Marymount College, at Tarrytown, N. Y. q. Judge Me- Qrath had three brothers. Two are dead. The remaining brother, Wil- lAhUh ts MCN1kutAtp ID v ASoANCAiV ~A Euclid Avenue.
 Judge McOrath has been Q prom inent member of the Republican party for years. He served as state senator in l0i3-l4, and was unsuc- ceysful in his quest for the office Of mayor in the election of 1914. .l He weighs l00 pounds. and is five feet, eight inches tall, with brown eyes and brown hair. He is fond Of oil sports, especially outdoor sports, and plays 6 fair game of golf. He k entertained by motion pictures and radio programs. He prefers to read novels and scientific magazines. but always finds time to scan the local papers. He wears glasses and smokes cigarettes. He has many favorite food dishes but is obliged to disregard them as he is on Q diet. He likes to play bridge and devotes many an evening with his friends to thia naatLme. He has been