DOYLE, Thomas, who was elected chief of the police force of Beardstown, is one of the men of Cass County who has won promotion and high standing through individual effort and personal merit. He was born at Flushing, N.Y., November 24, 1843, a son of John and Bridget (Ryan) Doyle, natives of County Tipperary, Ireland. In 1840 these parents came to the United States and located in New York state, where the father was employed as a gardener. Not being satisfied, however, he left New York for Illinois, and on January 1, 1849, arrived at Beardstown, where he subsequently worked in the packing houses and nurseries.

Thomas Doyle was the only child of his parents and whatever education he had was obtained at intervals in the public schools before he was seven years old, and at that tender age he began working in a packing house. When he was twenty years old he went into railroad work, but in 1874 was elected marshal of Beardstown, holding that office for two years. Later he was in the retail liquor business for seven years, and then was in the railroad shops for six months. Embarking in a grocery business, he conducted it for thirteen years, selling it to become a member of the police force of Beardstown. In time his services were recognized by his appointment as chief of the force.

On October 8, 1875, Chief Doyle was married to Anna Burke, born at Ithaca, N.Y., a daughter of Dennis and Bridget (Jennings) Burke, of County Mayo, Ireland. They have had the following children: Rosa, who died September 2, 1913, was born July 2, 1876; Lucy, who was born January 23, 1884, is at home; Flora Bridget, who was born June 13, 1887, is at home and James William, who was born July 6, 1888, conducts a drug store at Beardstown. Thomas Doyle is a Catholic in religious faith. In politics he is a Democrat and active in the work of his party. He is a member of the Western Catholic Union.