General Notes

BIOGRAPHY: Built the first livery and feed barn in Manhattan, IL, in 1891 but sold the business in 1896.  Turned to farming near Bird's Bridge, Will Co, IL.  Served as justice of the peace for Manhattan Twp.  Was killed by a passenger train.


DEATH: Obituary, paper and date unknown (probably 2 Feb 1911):
FRANKDOYLE IS KILLED BY TRAIN
Former Resident of Manhattan Run Down by Rock IslandPassenger Train Last Thursday
Caught at Rockdale's most dangerous crossing, unable to make his horse move, and with instant death bearing down upon him, FrankDoyle, one of Will county's best known farmers, closed his eyes and waited until the Peru accommodation, the C. R. I. & P. fast train, due in Joliet at 6:15 pm, struck his buggy, says the Joliet Republican.  One mark, a huge cut reaching from the crown of the head to the right eye and rending the skull, showed that death had been instantaneous.
Relatives of the man, gathered about the corpse in the undertaking rooms of Coroner Wunderlich's office Friday morning, claimed that the crossing at Midland avenue, the only outlet from the village of Rockdale to the southwest, had been in pitch darkness, that no man had been stationed at the crossing to care for trespassers and drivers, and that the passengertrain, when it struck Mr Doyle's carriage, was going at the rate of more than forty miles an hour while still in the corporate limits of the village.
Mr Doyle, who resided on a farm near Bird's Bridge, according to the story told by his wife, was in Rockdale to purchase a few articles.  He had left home shortlyafter dinner, and probably went to Joliet to make his purchases.  The first she knew of the fatal accident was when she was notified by her brother-in-law, Michael Doyle, a brother of the dead man, who lives in the vicinity and who had been notified by the Joliet police.
Mr Doyle was 51 years of age.  He had beena farmer in Will county for years and was one of the best known of her citizens.  He had been married twice and was the father of five children, one of whom,Patrick [?] Doyle, is a switchman in the employ of the Rock Island railroad atJoliet.
Train No 77, the one which struck down Mr Doyle, according to the story told by trainmen, was going less than fifteen miles per hour when the accident happened.
Engineer George Morris saw Doyle drive onto the crossing and blewthe whistle sharply.  According to people who heard Morris' story, Doyle's horse either refused to go or the man became confused.  As it was, he would have had timeto clear the track had everything gone right.
There was a light drizzle Thursday evening and the rails were very wet and slipery and although the engineer applied the air almost as soon as he saw Doyle, the train did not stop with the usual quickness.  The buggy was cut in two, but the horse was uninjured.The train crew was in the charge of Condutor George Williams, a Joliet man. -Republican.

DEATH: Another obituary, paper and date unknown:
Frank Doyle isa son of Michael Doyle of Manhattan and was for years a resident of the village.  He built the first livery and feed barn in Manhattan in 1891 on the presentsite of the M. E. church.  He sold his livery business to engage in farming in1896.  Mr Doyle also served as justice of the peace in Manhattan township.
The funeral service was held in St Patrick's church, Joliet, Sunday afternoon andinterment was at St Patrick's cemetery.