Sonoma County Biography
Manville Doyle
As one of those courageous pioneers who unflinchingly took up the burden of life in the early days of California and profited by the crude conditions, none is more deserving of the esteem and grateful regard of later generations than Manville Doyle, who while working and delving in the creation of his own fortune, had ever in mind the larger benefits which would accrue to those who were to follow, and in the evening of his well-spent life he is cheered by the thought that all that he has has been honestly accumulated, without cost or hindrance to any fellow-creature.
The records of the Doyle family show that it is of southern origin, coming of good old Virginia stock, and in that commonwealth the great-grandfather of Manville Doyle was born, reared and passed his later life. The grandfather, also a native of Virginia, in 1785 removed to Kentucky, rendered valiant service in the war of 1812, and rounded out his long and useful career in Lexington, Ky. It was in the last-named city that his son, Edward Doyle, was born in 1798. In young manhood, in 1824, he removed to the frontier of Illinois, settling in Vermilion county, and four years later went to Sangamon county, in the same state. Another four years found him in Rushville, Schuyler county, Ill., where he made his home for fourteen years, after which he purchased a farm in the vicinity, and thereafter engaged in farming with very satisfactory results. On the breaking out of the Black Hawk war, while he was residing in Sangamon county, he took an active part in the conflict. In his political leanings he was a Democrat, and for many years served as justice of the peace. In young manhood, before leaving the south, he had married Jane Dixon, who, like himself, was a native of Lexington, Ky., and who died on the Illinois farm in 1854, having been an active and life-long member of the Christian Church.
It was while the family home was in Sangamon county, Ill., that Manville Doyle was born January 19, 1831. The year after his birth removal was made to Rushville, Schuyler county, and there his early education was acquired. When he was thirteen years old his parents removed from town to the nearby farm on which their remaining years were passed, the mother dying in 1854, and the father in 1856. Manville Doyle was comparatively content with the prospects of an agricultural career in Illinois, and for a number of years worked side by side with his father in the management of the home place. In 1849, however, when the gold fever became prevalent over the entire country, two of his brothers fell victims and came to California in 1849. Manville was extremely anxious to bear them company, but his father persuaded him to wait a year, when he could go with his full consent. On March 10, 1850, with four companions, William Ewing, Zach Spriggs, Robert Smith and Isaac Snowden, he started across the plains with ox-teams bound for California. When about half the distance had been covered Mr. Doyle, annoyed by the slow progress that was being made, started ahead alone on a saddle horse, after purchasing a mule on which he packed his supplies. His course was by way of Sublette's cut-off and he arrived in Sacramento August 8, 1850, having traveled practically alone after parting with his companions. After a short stay in Sacramento he started for Feather river, and became interested in mining claims in Butte and Plumas counties. In November, 1852, Mr. Doyle returned to Illinois by way of Nicaragua and New York, and the following spring set out to cross the plains with a herd of cattle and horses. To assist him in this undertaking he had nine young men, Edward R. Wright, William Hyatt, Enos Hyatt, George B. Rogers, Elisha Moor, L. N. Breed, Andrew Lee, Henry Gammon and John Huff, and Mr. Doyle asserts that these young men were among the best that ever came to the west. Coming by way of Salt Lake and Truckee route, he arrived in Butte county about September 12, 1853, and for about four months pastured his cattle on Feather river. In January of the following year he removed his stock to the ranch of Gen. M. G. Vallejo, near Petaluma, Sonoma county, and for several months lived in the historic old adobe house. He then went to Clear Lake, Lake county, where he became one of the four original bachelors that gave the name to Bachelor valley, and remained there until December 14, 1855.
Coming to Petaluma on the above-mentioned date, Mr. Doyle established a livery business with C. I. Robinson, the partnership continuing about one year, when Mr. Doyle purchased the interest of his partner and extended the business by the addition of a stage outfit. Besides the livery and stage business which he conducted he was also interested in mining in Washoe, to which he made two trips. Owing to ill-health, in 1864, his disposed of his livery business and went to Nicaragua, passing the winter there. Afterward he made his home in Petaluma until January, 1869, when he went to Los Angeles on the steamer Senator, thence by way of Fort Tajon to Kern county, where some time and money was spent in unsuccessful mining ventures. June 1870, found him in Illinois, besides which he traveled through several southern and western states, finally returning to California, and in the spring of 1871, associated with the late Judge A. P. Overton, he purchased a tract of land known as the Brush place, in Cloverdale, Sonoma county, upon which he made his home until May, 1874, when he settled in Santa Rosa. In recognition of his ability in financial matters, the year after locating here Mr. Doyle was elected a director of the Santa Rosa Savings Bank, retaining this position until 1889, when he disposed of his interest in the institution. For about ten years, from March, 1876, until July, 1886, he made his home in Petaluma , and during that time gave his best efforts to forwarding many important enterprises. Among these may be mentioned the Petaluma water works, which in 1882 he purchased in company with William Hill and others, inaugurating a new service, installing a new plant and supervising the laying of about twenty miles of pipe. Without question this plant is one of the best in the state, and the reservoir, with a capacity of about three million gallons, is bricked, cemented and covered. Mr. Doyle is a one-fourth owner of the stock and is a director and vice-president of the company. In 1885, in company with Judge Overton, he erected a large brick block in the business section of Santa Rosa, which was destroyed in the earthquake in the spring of 1906. Mr. Doyle replaced this building by the Exchange Bank building, 58x80 feet, reinforced steel construction, class A building, three stories, the first floor occupied by the Exchange Bank. The vault is constructed of railroad iron and steel, and is practically indestructible. Besides the bank building Mr. Doyle has constructed two large concrete buildings, both two stories, one on the old Atheneum corner, 80x200 feet, and the other on Fourth street, opposite the court house. In April 1877, he was elected one of the city councilmen of Petaluma for a term of two years, and in 1878 was made chairman of the board.
In the summer of 1886 Mr. Doyle returned to Santa Rosa and this has been his home ever since. In 1889, with the late Hollis Hitchcock, he established the Exchange Bank with a capital of $120,000, and has since been president of the institution. In 1909 the capital stock was increased to $300,000. Mr. Doyle is a man far above the average in energy and enterprise, and the possession of these qualities has made it possible for him to accumulate large holdings of real estate. In addition to the interests enumerated he owns other valuable property in Petaluma and Santa Rosa, and until recently owned a valuable cattle ranch of three thousand acres, which he maintained successfully with the assistance of his son, Fred Ross. This property was sold in 1911. Since coming to Santa Rosa Mr. Doyle has served one term as city councilman and also for one year was president of the board.
The marriage of Manville Doyle, May 22, 1859, united him with Mary E. Conley, who was born in Carthage, Ill., May 22, 1843, the daughter of William and Carolina Conley, natives of Main and Indiana respectively. In 1852 the Conleys removed from Illinois to California across the plains and made settlement in Petaluma. Ten children were born of the marriage of Mr. And Mrs. Doyle, but of the number only three are now living, as follows: Frank P., who is cashier of the Exchange Bank, Santa Rosa; Nellie J., at home; and Fred Ross, who is now interested in horticulture at Fulton. Politically, Mr. Doyle is a stanch Democrat, and while he has no desire to hold office, he is nevertheless keenly interested in matters of national and local concern, and for forty-five years has been an interested participant in affairs that came before the state committee.
History of Sonoma County, California
History by Tom Gregory : Historic Record Company, 1891
Los Angeles, Ca. 1911
Transcribed by Roberta Hester Leatherwood
July 2008
Pages 511-515
Sonoma County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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