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From the Biographical Record of the Counties of Rock, Green, Grant, Iowa and Lafayette, Wisconsin, publ. 1901- page 719-720
ARTHUR DOYLE is one of those sturdy natives of old Ireland who have made their adopted country proud to call them her own.
Born in County Wicklow, Ireland, March 17, 1840, Mr. DOYLE is a son of Andrew and Mary A. (BYRNE) DOYLE, both of whom were natives of Ireland, born about 1808, and married in that country. In 1853 the family reached Hazel Green, Grant county, where Mr. DOYLE settled down to farming, and there spent the remainder of his life, owning at the time of his demise a fine farm of many acres. He lived to be seventy-four years old, his wife surviving until 1894. Both were consistent members of the Catholic Church. They left the following children: Catherine, who married John O'SULLIVAN, of Smelser, died leaving six children. Sarah is Mrs. Joseph BAUFIELD of Cuba City, Wis., and has a family of five children, one of whom, Thomas F., is now a priest in charge of St. Joseph's Church, Houston, Texas. Margaret married Patrick MERRIGAN, of Jo Daviess county, Ill., and is now a widow residing in Union county, S. Dak.; she has a large family. Patrick married Mary QUINLAN, and moved to Nebraska, where he died in 1897. Julia A. is the widow of Thomas BADSFUID, of Smelser, and has a large family, one son, William, being a Catholic priest in Bankston, Iowa. Andrew married Mary MORGAN, of his own country, and resides in Yankton, S. Dak. Bridget married George SCHROER, and resides in Cuba City, with two children, Lulu and Mary. Charles, the first born in Grant county, married Maggie BYRNE, and settled on the old homestead in Hazel Green township, where he died in 1893, leaving six children, who reside in Platteville.
Our subject was a student before coming to America, and continued his education in Hazel Green. In 1862 he enlisted in Company B, 90th Ill., V.I., termed the "Irish Legion" because of the large number of gallant sons of Erin in its ranks, and served under Grant and Sherman, participating in the battle of Vicksburg, and both battles of Missionary Ridge. He suffered from three wounds, one of these being in the breast, and saw much hard service, being in many engagements and making long marches. On account of his wounds he was honorably discharged, and came home a sergeant, having risen from the ranks.
Returning to his old home in Hazel Green township, our subject again took up peaceful pursuits, but the hand that has wielded a gun needs time before it can accustom itself to the plow, and it was not until 1866 that Mr. DOYLE settled down to hard work on a farm. Owning eighty acres of prairie land near Cuba City, given him by his father, he began its improvement, adding to it until at present he owns a fine estate of 280 acres, so improved and cultivated that it ranks with any in Grant county. His comfortable, modern dwelling, excellent buildings and flourishing orchards, making his place an ideal country home.
Mr. DOYLE was married in 1865 to Miss Catherine WALSH, a daughter of Nicholas and Mary WALSH, old pioneers. Her father was born in Ireland, her mother in Kentucky, and they resided in Illinois at the time of the birth of Mrs. DOYLE, in October, 1842. She received her education at the Sister's school in Benton, and is an estimable lady. Children as follows have been born to Mr. and Mrs. DOYLE: Mary A., Charles and Sarah are deceased. Andrew died when a young man, in 1887. Mary, born in 1872, died in 1890; she was a student at St. Clair's Academy. Rev. NICHOLAS, born Nov. 3, 1869, received his early education in the Georgetown school, entered St. Francis Seminary, at Milwaukee, where he was educated for the priesthood, spending ten years in that school, and was ordained in July, 1892. He had charge first of Ridgeway parish, and died April 29, 1895, in Shullsburg, his death being a terrible affliction to his family. Patrick M., born in 1873, was a student at Cuba City, and finished his education at St. Joseph's College, Dubuque, but on account of failing health spent five years in Texas, and is now a member of the mercantile firm of DONOHOO, SPLINTER & Co., in Cuba City. Charles P., born in 1877, received a finished education at St. Joseph's College, and is one of the partners in the above mentioned firm. Thomas F., born in 1881, is a graduate of the Cuba City high school, and now a student at St. Joseph's College. Malda, born in 1883, is a graduate in the class of 1900, of the Cuba City high school and now attending school at St. Clara's Academy, Sinsinawa, Wis. Maggie E., born in 1885, is a student in the high school at Cuba City.
After his return from the army our subject was made town treasurer, continuing in office during 1864-65. Politically he has always been identified with the Democratic party, and he has efficiently filled the position of chairman of his township and also that of assessor. As a leading and prominent politician Mr. DOYLE has been before the public many years, and has always been found one upon whom the lime-light of public criticism discloses no flaw. Devoted to his church, he is one of its cheerful and generous supporters, and of every Catholic charity that comes to his notice. Generous to his family, he has spent large sums of money on their education, and they reflect credit upon him, being among the most intelligent and cultured members of the community. Grant county has no finer specimen of politician farmer, or veteran of the Civil war than she finds in Arthur DOYLE.
This biography generously submitted by Carol Holmbeck