A well and widely known throughout Western Massachusetts as a lawyer of proved ability, and as an efficient Federal official, and while he no longer makes his home in that part of the State, being now a resident of Newton Center, his business and family connections have kept him still a part of his native Springfield. Mr. Malley was born in that city on January 29, 1878, a son of James and Mary A. (Connelly) Malley. He received his early education in the public schools there, and was graduated from the Springfield High School in June of 1896. After a few years of study and practical experience in the office of the late attorney Daniel E. Leary, Mr. Malley matriculated at the Yale Law School, which awarded him the degree of Bachelor of Laws. magna cum laude, in the year 1902. In the following fall he was admitted to the bar of the State of Massachusetts, at Springfield, and immediately began the practice of his chosen profession in his home city, where he successfully built up a large and important clientage. He also became deeply interested in politics, and thereafter, during his residence in Springfield, was closely allied with the activities of the Democratic party, local, State and National, serving for a time as chairman of the Democratic City Committee. At a special election in March, 1910, he was elected to the State Senate, to fill the vacancy caused by the death of the late Thomas S. Walsh, to which office he was reelected at the regular State election held in November, of that year, for the full 1911 term. As a member of the upper branch of the Legislature he rendered distinguished service to the Commonwealth and urged the enactment of much important legislation. In February, 1913, he received from Governor Eugene N. Foss an appointment as special justice of the Springfield Police Court, but he held the judgeship for only a brief period of time, for the reason that in October, 1913, he was chosen by the late President Woodrow Wilson, to be United States Collector of Internal Revenue for the District of Massachusetts, a post which he filled with great ability until October, 1919, when he resigned in order to resume the practice of law. At the present time (1926) he maintains law offices at No. 15 State Street in Boston, in association with John N. O’Donohue, besides being connected in Springfield with his brother, Thomas C. Malley, a sketch of whom follows, the offices in both places giving special attention to the handling of tax matters. Fraternally, Mr. Malley is affiliated with Springfield Lodge, No. 61, of the Bevenolent and Protective Order of Elks, in which order he has attained considerable prominence, being a Past Exalted Ruler of the local lodge, and for several years past has been chairman of the judiciary Committee of the Grand Lodge. He is likewise a member of the Knights of Columbus, and also holds membership in the Hampden County Bar Association, the Western Massachusetts Yale Alumni Association, the City Club of Boston, the Commonwealth Country Club, of Newton, and various other social and civic organizations.
John F. Malley was married at Pittsfield, Massachusetts, on May 12, 1914, to Marion L. Coogan, a daughter of William and Harriet (Claffy) Coogan, well known and highly respected residents of that community. Mr. and Mrs. Malley are the parents of four children: John F. Malley, Jr., Jean Louis Malley, William C. Malley, and Marion Alice Malley. They are members of the Roman Catholic Church.