California Biographies

Transcribed by Peggy Hooper

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives 
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

Source:
History of the state of California and biographical record of the San Joaquin 
Valley, California. An historical story of the state's marvelous growth from 
its earliest settlement to the present time.
Prof. James Miller Guinn , A. M.
The Chapman Publishing Co., Chicago 1905
Notes: Missing Page: 865-866,983-984,1175-1176


JAMES DOYLE. For thirty years Mr. Doyle has been a resident of California, and with the 
exception of the first two years after his arrival in this state he has been in the employ of the 
Southern Pacific. Starting in at the bottom he has, by industry and a strict attention to 
business, been promoted until he now occupies the position of roadmaster, with headquar- 
ters in Fresno. His long term of service and his promotion are evidence of the standing he 
has with his employers. While the nature of his employment has made it necessary for him to 
live in different places, he has always taken an active interest in the affairs of the town in which 
he resided and since taking up his residence in Fresno he has been one of the active men in 
the city, at ail times performing his duty as a citizen. 

A native of Ireland, Mr. Doyle was born March 19, 1852, a son of Michael and Ellen 
(Curran) Doyle. The father immigrated to America in 1864, locating in Holyoke, Mass., 
where the balance of his life was passed. His marriage resulted in the birth of nine children, 
six of whom are living. Of this family, James Doyle was the fourth child. His education was 
obtained in the public schools of Holyoke, Mass., but at an early age it was necessary for him to 
give up his schooling and enter the cotton mills at that place. Securing a position in the dress- 
ing department of the Lyman mill, he remained there until 1875, when he resigned and came to 
California. His first employment here was with a Mr. O'Neil, a contractor in Oakland, with 
whom he continued for two years. In 1877 he entered the employ of the Southern Pacific Rail- 
road in Oakland, securing a position in the track department. Three years later, having been 
promoted to foreman, he was sent to New Mexico, where he continued for six years. As 
foreman of the yards, he was then transferred to Los Angeles, where he remained for two 
and one-half years. At the expiration of this period he was again promoted, being made road- 
master with headquarters at Benson, Ariz., where the company kept him for two years. June 23, 
1893, ne came to Fresno as roadmaster of the Fresno Division. Four years later he was trans- 
ferred to the Keene district, but in 1899 ne returned to Fresno to relieve G. A. Starkweather, 
who was sent to Ventura. Mr. Doyle now has charge of seventeen sections, all the lines run- 
ning out of Fresno, making his position one of great importance, as there are hundreds of 
miles of road under his supervision, the company looking to him for the condition of road 
beds. 

In Chicopee, Mass., Mr. Doyle was united in marriage with Miss Mary Allen. At her death 
Mrs. Doyle left one child, Kate, who is attending Trinity College. Fraternally Mr. Doyle is 
a member of the Knights of Columbus. His rise to the position he now holds has been by the di- 
rect result of strict attention to business. In Fresno, as in other places where he has made 
his home, he has a large circle of friends who are deeply interested in his success.