BIO: James Coyle, Cumberland County, PA

Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Bookwalter

Copyright 2011.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
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History of Cumberland and Adams Counties, Pennsylvania.
Containing History of the Counties, Their Townships, Towns, Villages, 
Schools, Churches, Industries, Etc.; Portraits of Early Settlers and 
Prominent Men; Biographies; History of Pennsylvania; Statistical and 
Miscellaneous Matter, Etc., Etc.  Illustrated.  Chicago: Warner, Beers 
& Co., 1886.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/beers/beers.htm
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                                PART II.

             HISTORY OF CUMBERLAND COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA.

                             CHAPTER LVIII.

   SOUTH MIDDLETON TOWNSHIP AND BOROUGH OF MOUNT HOLLY SPRINGS.

550  BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES:

  JAMES COYLE, farmer, P. O. Carlisle, was born in South Middleton 
Township, this county, July 13, 1822, son of Joseph and Calista 
(daughter of Thomas Thompson) Coyle, of English and Irish origin, and 
who were the parents of three children.  Joseph Coyle, a farmer, an 
early settler of Cumberland County, died in 1832.  James, the eldest of 
the children, was reared among strangers, in South Middleton Township, 
this county, and here received a common school education.  At the age 
of seventeen he commenced to learn carpentering, and soon became a 
thorough mechanic; he has followed the business of carpenter and 
contractor for forty-five years, building bridges, houses and barns, 
and it is safe to say that he has erected more houses than any other 
man in this county.  He has now retired from active labor and resides 
on a fine farm of 100 acres.  He is a self-made man in every sense of 
the word, having acquired, not only his worldly possessions by his own 
exertions, but his education.  He states he has never drank any 
intoxicating liquors nor used tobacco in any form.  He is a remarkably 
well preserved man for his age.  Our subject was married, in 1846, to 
Mary Ann, daughter of Benjamin and Rebecca (Dixon) Johnson, natives of 
Pennsylvania and of English descent.  Mr. and Mrs. Coyle have five 
children living:  Jennie A., William G. (a contractor and builder), 
Rebecca (wife of Christian Leib), James A. and Charles T.  The sons are 
all carpenters and farmers, and all the children have been given the 
benefits of good schools.  Mr. Coyle and his wife are members of the 
First Presbyterian Church in Carlisle, in which he takes 

551 	SOUTH MIDDLETON TOWNSHIP.

an active interest, and for years has been ruling elder.  Our subject, 
in politics, is a Democrat; has been auditor and supervisor, also 
school director in the township, and, in 1885, was elected by a large 
majority a director of the poor in this county.  He is a member of one 
of the oldest families here, his great-grandfather, Thomas Thompson, 
having enlisted in the Revolutionary war from Cumberland County.