Peter A. Boyle Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Boyle, Copely. Peter A. Boyle, a Harvard man whose liberal educational advantages well qualified him for a successful professional career, continued in the practice of law in Davenport for a number of years and is now giving his attention to the supervision of important property interests. He was born in New Haven, Connecticut, on the 11th of October, 1847, and is a son of John R. and Mary J. (Copely) Boyle. His parents were natives of county Kilkenny, Ireland, but were of English descent. The father's birth occurred May 15, 1815, and the mother was born on the 12th of March, 1812. John R. Boyle came to the United States in 1839 and settled in New England, where he conducted an extensive business as a contractor and builder of canals and railroads. He was married in New York City in 1842 and in 1850 came to the middle west, where he was engaged in the building of the Michigan southern Railroad. Two years later the family came to the west to Ottawa, Illinois. In 1854 they removed to Muscatine, Iowa, coming thence to Scott county in 1865. The father assisted in building many of the western railroads, including the Union Pacific and others. After taking up his abode in Scott county he purchased land in Davenport township and settled upon a farm, hi remaining days being given to general agricultural pursuits. His life was one of untiring business activity and his strong purpose enabled him to carry forward to successful completion whatever he undertook. He died September 16, 1895, while his wife survived until the 16th of May, 1902. they were the parents ! of two children: C. R. Boyle, who is now living in New York city; and Peter A., of this review. Peter A. Boyle spent the first five years of his life in New Haven, Connecticut, and afterward attended school in different places as his parents removed from one point to another, the father's business calling him to different localities. At length he was graduated from Griswold College in the class of 1870 and with broad general information to serve as the foundation upon which to rear the superstructure of professional learning, he took up the study of law in Harvard University, from which he was graduated with the class of 1872. He then returned to Davenport and entered upon active connection with the profession as a law clerk in the office of Davison & Lane, formerly well known attorneys of this city. After ten years devoted to the practice of law, he turned his attention to his property interest, which now claim his attention. On the 5th of June, 1884, Mr. Boyle was united in marriage to Miss Jessie A. Boyle, of Birmingham, Alabama, and unto them were born two children: Mary Lee, who died in 1898; and John R., who is now a high school pupil. The parents are members of the Episcopal church and are prominent socially in the city, theirs being one of the attractive and hospitable homes of wealth and culture. Mr. Boyle belongs to the Commercial Club and has other social relations, being usually seen where the most intelligent men of the city gather. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann Assist. CC: Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm. for: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES