Daly was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Irish immigrants.[1] He graduated from La Salle College High School in Philadelphia in 1890 and from the University of Pennsylvania at Philadelphia in 1896. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1896, and opened a private practice in Philadelphia. He served as assistant city solicitor from 1914 to 1922. He was a member of the faculty of La Salle College from 1923 to 1930.