Surrogate Lillis was born in West New York, Hudson County, March 6, 1853, and when about four years old his parents moved to Jersey City. He there acquired his early education in public and parochial schools. Entering_ Rutgers College at New Brunswick in 1870, on a scholarship granted him by the freeholders after he had passed the required examination, he was graduated with the degree of B.S. in 1873, and the same year entered the Hudson County surrogate's office in Jersey City, with which he has ever since been connected. The probate history of Hudson County during the past twenty-seven years is practically a history of Surrogate Lillis's life, and vice versa. From a clerkship he rose steadily to the post of Assistant Surrogate, and in November, 1896, was elected Surrogate on the Democratic ticket over his Republican opponent, Hon. P. F. Wanser, then Mayor of Jersey City, receiving a flattering majority. Surrogate Lillis still holds that office, and has discharged its duties with ability and satisfaction. Having had more than a quarter of a century's uninterrupted experience in general probate matters, it is not strange that he should be everywhere regarded as the man best qualified to perform the work coming before a surrogate, and during a life-long devotion to his labors he has achieved an enviable reputation as well as signal success. Genial, sympathetic, and able, thoroughly versed in every department of probate law, and methodical in all his efforts, he is one of the most popular of Hudson County's citizens, and prominent in both political circles and private capacities.

For many years he has been a leading member of the Hudson County Democratic Committee, and for some time he served as its Secretary. He is also a member of the Robert Davis Association of Jersey City, of the Berkeley and University Clubs of the same place, of the Knights of Columbus, of the Benevolent Order of Elks, and of other bodies. He has resided in Jersey City for more than forty years, his present residence being at 208 Palisade Avenue.