California Genealogy and History Archives
Biographies
of
Sacramento County
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THOMAS
JOHN COYLE The
records of Coyle genealogy indicate the identification of the family
with Ireland back to a period where authentic history becomes merged
into tradition. When the new world began to attract many of their race
to its unknown possibilities they followed the tide of emigration across
the ocean and one branch became established near the rock-bound shores
of New Brunswick. In that province, near the city of St. John's, Thomas
John Coyle was born in 1856, and from there he came to California at the
age of nine years, accompanying his parents, an industrious and
honorable Irish couple, who long since have passed away. Owing to the
scarcity of schools in that period and the poverty of the family it was
not possible for him to enjoy the abundant educational advantages given
to the young people of the present century, but in spite of his
deprivations in that respect he became the possessor of broad
information acquired through reading and observation. In the great
school of experience he proved an apt pupil, and as a result be gained a
breadth of knowledge not always acquired through collegiate instruction.
His early years gave him much of adventure and privation. The laborious
tasks incident to a freighting business earned him a livelihood for some
years and he also drove a stage through mining districts not then
reached by any railroad. As the years passed he witnessed the slow but
steady development of the state; he saw the first railroads built
through some of the mining regions, and he witnessed the upbuilding of
large cities and the transformation of broad prairies into profitable
ranches. Upon eventually retiring from business cares he came to
Sacramento, purchased property, established his home and here, in 1905,
five years later, occurred his death. In his passing from earth he left
many hearts to mourn him and to reflect with pleasure upon his upright
character. His benevolent disposition and kind heart are remembered by
those to whom by example he indicated an existence of loyal citizenship.
In 1886 Mr. Coyle married Elizabeth Krenkel, a native of Sonora, Cal. Her father, Bernard F. Krenkel, was born in Germany, and died in California, where her mother now lives, the latter being rugged notwithstanding her eighty-nine busy and active years. The family of Mr. and Mrs. Coyle comprised eleven children, and eight of these are still living, namely: Thomas J., Jr., Nellie E., Francis J., Morris E., Joseph C, Charles G., Albert B. and Dorothea R., all of whom have the honor of claiming California as their native commonwealth. Since the death of Mr. Coyle the family have continued to reside in Sacramento. Having spent her entire life in the state, Mrs. Coyle is familiar with its history and peculiarly solicitous concerning its advancement, for she possesses the true and loyal spirit noticeable in every native daughter, and she has reared her family to share her enthusiastic faith in the commonwealth. |
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Source: Transcribed by Peggy Hooper 2011 |