James T. Mullen

Mullen was one of the original members of the Knights of Columbus.[1] He joined on February 2, 1882.[6] When Father Michael McGivney first conceived of creating the Order, he proposed the name the Sons of Columbus.[7] Mullen instead suggested using Knights instead of Sons to better exemplify the ritualistic nature of the nascent organization.[2][7][8]

Mullen credited McGivney's "indomitable will" for the success of the Order.[9] As Supreme Knight, he installed the officers of other councils, including Silver City Council No. 2 on May 16, 1883, in Meriden, Connecticut.[10] On the train ride to Meriden, Mullen assigned Daniel Colwell the responsibility of devising the installation ceremony.[11] As Supreme Knight, Mullen supported the expansion of the Order outside of Connecticut, a contentious issue at the time.[12]

Colwell and Mullen joined McGivney in presenting the ceremonials of the Order to Bishop Lawrence McMahon of the Diocese of Hartford to ensure they were acceptable for a Catholic organization.[11] Enthusiasm for the degree work led to calls to create a fourth degree, and Mullen supported creating a fifth.[13]

With two councils established, Mullen presided over the Supreme Convention on June 15, 1883.[14] At this convention he was appointed to a committee of one to design an emblem for the Order.[15][2][8] At a later convention, he was appointed to a committee to draft a resolution honoring Fr. McGivney.[16]

In 1886, Mullen was re-elected Supreme Knight, but declined the appointment on May 17, 1886.[17][18] He did, however, accept the newly created position of Director General of Ceremonies,[18] a position he held until his death in 1891.[19]

In 1874, Mullen suggested the creation of a social organization that came to be known as the Red Knights.[20] He served as their Supreme Knight from 1875 to their disbanding in 1880.[7][2][1] He was also a Knight of St. Patrick[2] and an amateur actor in local theatrical productions.[21]

Mullen enlisted in the 9th Connecticut Infantry Regiment on September 11, 1861 and served as a sergeant in the Civil War.[2][8][1][3] He took part in digging Grant's Canal.[2][8] He became ill, however, and was discharged on December 27, 1862.[2][8][3] He later became a leader of the Sarsfield Guards, an Irish Catholic militia organization that later became a part of the Connecticut National Guard.[2][20][1]

Following the Civil War, Mullen became a police lieutenant in New Haven.[2][3] For 13 years, he was fire commissioner in the New Haven Fire Department and was president of the board for several years.[2][3] He also served as an Alderman for the City of New Haven.[2]

He became a successful businessman[2] following his apprenticeship painting ornamental signs he became a commercial traveler.[3] He formed a partnership with G.W.M. Reed and assumed full control of the company in 1884.[3] He ran this company until his death.[3]