My Genealogy Hound

DOYLE, THOMAS CAPT. tailor, was born November 2, 1837, in Tullow, County Carlow, Ireland, and was married June 9, 1856, to Mary E. Findlay. He emigrated to the United States in August, 1856, landing in New York City, where he remained until the outbreak of the Mormon war, when he joined the regular army, Co. “D,” 1st Regiment U.S.A. After the Mormon difficulty he was engaged in the Utah campaign, and also with the Cheyenne Indians in 1858. He was then ordered to reinforce Major Van Dorn who was engaged fighting the Comanche Indians in 1859, during which time he was in several engagements with this tribe. In the Summer of 1860 made another expedition against the Kiawas, and participated in the battle, Aug. 16, 1860, which resulted in a victory over the tribe. The Presidential election occurred about this time, causing trouble in the border States, the command he belonged to was ordered to Fort Smith, Ark., remaining there until April, 1861. Here, he says, was the most trying time of his whole life. Every commissioned officer in his company “went over to the South,” and joined the C.S.A, army, and he was strongly solicited to go also, being tendered a commission, and other inducements which were very enticing, but he spurned them all and remained loyal to the flag of his adopted country. Subsequent to this was engaged in the battle of Wilson’s Creek, where 6,500 of them were for seven hours pitted against 35,000—where Gen. Lyon fell. Mr. D. was at this time a bearer of dispatches, and after crossing the enemy’s lines five times, he was taken prisoner. After his exchange he was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, and served as Battalion Adjutant, 1st Missouri Cavalry, M.S.M. In the Fall of 1862 was promoted to 1st Lieutenant and Adjutant of same regiment. In 1864 he veteraned in the 13th Missouri Cavalry, and in January, 1865, was promoted to Captain of same company and regiment. After the close of the war, went with his regiment to open the Santa Fe route across the Plains, and was finally mustered out of service, Jan. 12, 1866, having a military experience of nine years. He went out as a common soldier, and served his country faithfully and well, and the Union had no braver defender of her national honor. His fine and soldierly bearing, coupled with his executive ability, secured him many prominent staff appointments during his term of service. He served as Assistant Adjutant General, also Assistant Inspector General on General Sanborn’s staff, which he filled up to the time he was mustered out. Upon his return home to the quiet walks of life, he served some time as a member of the Metropolitan Police in St. Louis. January 1, 1867, moved to Carlinville, where he resumed his trade; remained there until August 7, 1877, when he came to Greenfield, and has since remained. Is superintendent of the cutting department in the Star Clothing House, and is an A. No. 1 artist as knight of the tape and shears. During his army life he acquired an appetite for the ardent, and it was feared for some time by his friends that he would become a hopeless sot, but before the temperance wave swept across our land he rallied and threw the monster from him, and has since been a staunch advocate of the temperance order, and has, by his example and his speeches on the rostrum, done much good for the cause; has spoken in all the surrounding towns in the adjoining counties, and through the columns of the Gazette held a spirited debate with his minister, Father Sauer, on the subject of temperance, and the palm of victory was universally accorded by the people to Captain Doyle. Mr. D. has had eight children, four of whom are living: John W., born in Warrensburg, Mo., Nov. 27, 1863; M. Alice, born in St. Louis, Mo., January 6, 1866; Cornelius, born in Carlinville, Ill., December 11, 1871; Joseph H., born in Carlinville, Ill., April 27, 1875.