James P. Doyle 1867-1921

DOYLE, MCCULLA, LOFTUS

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 11/13/2011 at 21:50:49

Jas. Doyle Answered Last Call
Passed Away at the Hospital Tuesday Morning
Funeral is Thursday
Popular Man in this City – Had Been Confined to Bed for Some Time
James P. Doyle is dead. Death came to relieve his suffering at an early hour Tuesday [August 23, 1921] morning. He had been making a valiant fight for life for several weeks in a local hospital but he was unable to win the battle and passed on to receive the reward of this life’s work. There was never a more popular man in the city of Estherville, a friend to all especially popular with the youngsters for whom he always had a pleasant word and his genial smile. His happy disposition and sympathetic nature has smoothed the rough spots of life’s journey for many of his fellow men and what greater tribute can be paid to the memory any one, rich or poor, high or low. His life was given over to making the world brighter for the rest of us and he will be missed in all circles of life. Mr. Doyle has been a resident of Estherville many years. The latter part of his life was spent as machinist helper at the Rock Island round house in this city. And it was here that he received an injury that sent him to the hospital and from which he never recovered. However he was in poor health at the time of the accident and his physical condition was such that his injuries took a serious aspect. Before his railroad work he was a teamster and drayman and worked at various trades. He did his task with a smile, was always ready to give his fellow man a lift and many a hard task has been made into play by his joke and laughter. His race is run but the memories of his happy disposition will remain ever green in the hearts of his associates, and will continue to lighten the load through life of those who knew him best and valued his friendship the highest.

Mr. Doyle was born July 1867 at Tipton, Iowa. There he grew to young manhood with his brothers and sisters. He then came to Estherville which has since been his home. He married Miss Hattie McCulla at Milford, Iowa, April 12th, 1899. To this union one child was born, Miss Jennie who survives both father and mother. Mrs. Doyle passed to her reward six years ago. He is survived by three brothers, Thos. Of this city, Tim of Tipton, Iowa, and John of Cedar Rapids, two sisters, Mrs. M.H. Loftus of Tipton, and Miss Julia of Keokuk.

Funeral services will be held from the Catholic church in this city Thursday morning at ten o’clock. They will be in charge of Rev. Father Conway of the local church. Burial will be made in the Catholic cemetery south of this city. Mr. Doyle was a member of the Estherville Fire Department, the K.C. and the Woodmen lodges and of his Union in his railroad work. The organizations will attend the funeral services in a body.

“Jim” as he familiarly known to everyone in Estherville is gone. It is a personal loss to all who knew him. He will be missed by all, and yet, he would not have it otherwise. He is gone from the pain and sorrow of this world. He is at rest from earthly trials and while our hearts are bowed in sorrow, and we ask why death must come, we recognize that He who doeth all things well knows best. That some day the mysteries of life shall be revealed to us. “Jim” is gone but the memories of his smile and his life will live on and on in the hearts of his friends and they will know that he would have them keep smiling. He left the world a little brighter and better than he found it. The bereaved family have the sympathy of the entire community in this their hour of sorrow. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, August, 1921)