Thomas Kinsella
Ex-Alderman of City of Montreal, 1896-99

Ex-alderman Thomas Kinsella, is one of the many Montreal citizens of Irish origin, who sat in the municipal Council. His first election, as representative of St. Ann’s Ward, dates back to 1896, and his retirement from municipal affairs, dates from 1900. Thomas Kinsella was born in St. Columban, County of Two Mountains, on December 22nd 1848. His parents were Thomas Kinsella, and Annie Grace, who came to Canada from Tipperary country, Ireland.

Thomas Kinsella was but fourteen years of age when he came to Montreal, and he immediately embarked upon a business career as a grocer’s clerk.

After a few years of apprenticeship, he decided to go into trade on his own account, and established a grocery at the corner of Ottawa and Kennedy streets, which store had to be enlarged later on, to satisfy an increasing list of customers. Towards 1888, he retired from the grocery business, but, after a tour of a year in Ireland, he completed arrangements for the establishment of the Star & Kinsella stables, on Mansfield Street, one of the largest sales stables in Canada.

Source: Galerie des échevins, p. 651