Sacramento County
Biographies
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 he 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.
Transcribed by Sally Kaleta.
Source: Willis,
William L., History of Sacramento County,
California, Pages 842-843. Historic
Record Company,
© 2006 Sally Kaleta.