Mrs.
Miranda DOYLE is the owner of a valuable farm of four hundred
acres situated on section 27, Saratoga township, in the midst of
which stands a beautiful residence that is surrounded by well
tilled fields that annually return to her a good income. Mrs.
DOYLE is one of Marshall county's native daughters, having been
born in La Prairie township, March 1.2, 1856. Her father, Major
Alanson P. WEBBER, was born in Gayhead, Greene county, New York,
March 16, 1828, and was married on the 13th of February, 1850,
to Marion J. CALDER, who was borne in Greene county, New York,
June 22, 1831, the marriage being celebrated when she was
nineteen years of age. A few months later they removed to
Illinois and located in La Prairie township, where they lived
for five years. On the expiration of that period Mr. WEBBER
purchased a quarter section of land in Saratoga township, upon
which he resided until his death. He passed away, however, at
the home of Owen DOYLE, June 27, 1902, having for about three
years survived his wife, who died on the old home farm in
Saratoga township, August 31, 1899. A lovely daughter, Orie B.
KELLEY, had also preceded him to the better land. Two sons and
two daughters survive: Newton, who is living in Chicago; Allie,
of Saratoga; Miranda, now Mrs. DOYLE; and Myra, the wife of
Clarence H. WATT, of Chicago. When the Civil war broke out Mr.
WEBBER volunteered and enlisted in Company C, Eighty-sixth
Illinois Volunteer Infantry, and was chosen fife major of the
regiment. During the battles in which the regiment participated
he served as a sharpshooter and for extraordinary gallantry and
bravery at Kenesaw Mountain the congress of the United States
awarded him a medal of honor. He afterward served with great
credit as a member of the Illinois legislature. He and his wife
were faithful and devoted members of the Methodist Episcopal
church for about fifty years and in their lives they stood for
temperance and for all ennobling virtues. The richest legacy
they left their children was their good name a most blessed
memory.
Mrs. DOYLE of this review spent her girlhood days upon the old home farm in Saratoga township and supplemented her early educational privileges in the district school by study in Hedding College at Abingdon, Illinois. On the 18th of September, 1881, she gave her hand in marriage to Owen DOYLE, who was born in Peoria county, Illinois, March 1, 1850, and was a son of Thomas DOYLE, a native of Pennsylvania, who for many years lived in Illinois and removed from Peoria county to Saratoga township, Marshall county. Owen DOYLE was for a long period identified with the agricultural interests of this county and prospered in his undertakings. He lived a life of thrift and industry characterized by strong purpose and unfaltering fidelity to manly principles, and in his business undertakings he prospered, so that he became the owner of a valuable farm of four hundred acres of fine land, which he left to his widow and children. He erected thereon a beautiful residence, which was built about the time of their marriage and which is most tastefully furnished.
Unto Mr. and Mrs. DOYLE were born four children: Carl, who is living with his mother at the age of twenty-four years and operates the home farm for her; Herbert, sixteen years of age; Belle, fourteen years of age; and Marion, who is ten years of age and completes the family. The death of the husband and father occurred May 19, 1904, after a very brief illness and was the occasion of deep and widespread regret. He had served as school director and as road commissioner and was treasurer in the Methodist Episcopal church, with which he long held membership. His life was characterized by unfaltering industry and in all relations he was found true to manly principles and a high standard of conduct, so that he commanded the esteem and good will of all with whom he was associated.
Extracted July 2011 by Norma Hass from Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties Illinois, 1907.
| Bureau | Putnam | |
| Stark |
 |
La Salle |
| Peoria | Woodford |
