WI BIO - Dane Co - DOYLE, Michael A.
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 351-352

Michael A. DOYLE, a prominent farmer, residing on sections 17 and 18 in 
Verona Township, Dane County, WI, a resident of Dane County since 1845, was 
born in Cleveland [Cuyahoga County], OH, 24 Dec 1844, a son of Patrick and 
Ellonor (BRODERICK) DOYLE, Patrick born in Detroit [Wayne County], MI, and 
Ellonor a native of Ireland. They were married in Detroit, and after 
marriage went to Cleveland to live, remaining there until 1845, when they 
came to WI and settled at Sun Prairie, Dane County, where the Patrick DOYLE 
entered 202 acres of land, on which he resided 13 years, making numerous 
improvements. They then removed to the town of Westport, Dane County, WI, 
where Patrick DOYLE engaged in keeping an hotel until the time of his death 
in 1872, at the age of 67 years. Ellonor (BRODERICK) DOYLE died in 1865 at 
Westport, Dane County, WI, aged 48 years. They reared a family of eight 
children: Frances, who married Hugh SUMMERS, resides in Davenport [Scott 
County], IA; John, who is an Engineer at the State House in Madison, Dane 
County, WI; James, who was an engineer, and was killed by a boiler explosion 
in 1868, at the hospital for the insane at Mendota, Dane County, WI; Michael 
A. (our subject); Hannah, who resides at Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, WI; 
Thomas, who died in 1870 at Westport, aged 22; Ellen, who resides in Chicago, 
Cook County, IL; and Frank, who is an engineer in Chicago.

Michael A. DOYLE was in his first year when his parents settled in WI, and 
his boyhood was passed on a farm. His father was a blacksmith, and at the 
age of 13 he learned the trade, serving an apprenticeship. In 1862, although 
only then a boy, he enlisted, and was mustered into the army in Aug 1862, 
entering Company G, 29th WI Volunteer Infantry, and served bravely until the 
close of the war, participating in all of the battles, marches and skirmishes 
in which his company took part, the leading battles being the siege of 
Vicksburg, Jackson, MS, Champion Hills, Port Gibson, Sabine Cross Roads, 
Spanish Fort and Fort Blakely. He was a Corporal of the company, and passed 
through the whole struggle without wound or capture, and with no misfortunes 
other than a short sickness in the hospital after the battle of Jackson.

After the war Michael A. DOYLE returned home, but at once went to Chicago, 
IL, where he worked in a machine shop for three years, at the expiration of 
which time he returned to WI to fill the position left vacant by the death of 
his brother, James, in the insane hospital at Mendota, and at that place he 
served as Engineer for 13 years. He then went [p 352] back to Chicago, and 
was a groceryman there for a few months, but then returned to Madison and 
went on a steamboat on Lake Monona. He was then made Under Sheriff of Dane 
County, and served as such for 18 months.

At this time Michael A. DOYLE went to Oregon, Dane county, WI, where he 
purchased an hotel, which he conducted for a few months, but in 1886 he 
bought his present farm of 420 acres. Here he has erected a good farm house 
and two large barns, and has now a well improved farm. The buildings are 
located near the center of the farm, on an eminence which commands a view of 
the surrounding country, a most beautiful location. He is now engaged in 
stock dealing and feeding.

Michael A. DOYLE was married in 1872 to Miss Margaret MALONE, who died in 
Westport, Dane County, WI, in 1881, leaving no children. In 1884 he married 
Mrs. Charlotte MARTIN, daughter of John MASON [see also the Dane County, WI
biography of John Mason], born in Middleton, Dane 
County, WI, in 1856, and widow of Patrick MARTIN, of Perth, Scotland, who 
died in 1879, leaving one daughter, Emily D., born in 1877, in Verona, Dane 
County, WI, who with the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. DOYLE, Ella C., born in 
Verona in 1886, constitutes their family.

In politics Michael A. DOYLE is a Democrat, and is Chairman of the Town Board 
of Verona; also is a member of the Ancient Order of United Workmen, and of C. 
C. Washburn Post, No. 11, G. A. R. He is a well informed man, and one who is 
well known and esteemed. He has made his own way in the world, and has won 
his success unaided. His military record is one to be proud of, and among 
her citizens, Dane County has no more honest citizen than Mr. DOYLE.

Submitted by Cathy Kubly