Biography

William A. Doyle was born in approximately 1857 to John Doyle (1821-), a stonemason, and Katherine Doyle (1823-), a dressmaker, of Ireland. He was one of four children: James Doyle, Catie Doyle and Robert Doyle. He married Cora A. Hodgman (1863-1944) in November 1883. Together they had three children: Harry Anthony Doyle (1884-1923), Robert William Doyle (1887-1961), Dale Doyle (1889-1967). William A. Doyle lived in Kalamazoo, Michigan, in approximately 1890 through 1910. In 1890-1891, he (a constractor and stonemason) built the landmark William A. Doyle building on 229 East Michigan Avenue, Kalamazoo, Michigan. The four-story building provided office space, hotel rooms and a variety of commerical businesses beginning with the Kalamazoo Pant Company.

According to the Kalamazoo Public Library's Local History on theW. A. Doyle building, William A. Doyle was known for frequent run-ins with the the police, typically the result of alchohol-fueled antics, which eventually led to his departure from Kalamazoo. Further articles in the Kalamazoo Gazette between 1885-1901, document such incidents interspersed with building projects in the Southwest Michigan Area. In 1902, he was transferred to a house of correction in Detroit at his own request. He later headed westward to pursue sewer contruction.

By 1930, he moved to Hollywood, California where he died, approximately 1937.

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