Bernard Coyle
BERNARD COYLE, late of south Buffalo township, Armstrong county, was a native of that township, born Nov. 16, 1826, son of William and Sallie (McBride) Coyle. The parents were born in Ireland, and on coming to America first settled on Buffalo creek, where Mr. Coyle had a gristmill and farm. Later they located in South Buffalo township, where their son Bernard afterward lived, and here they both died. We have the following record of their children: (1) Thomas E., born Dec. 10, 1819, died in South Buffalo township. (2) Elizabeth, born Jan. 8, 1822, married Joseph Skilton, of Clinton, Pa. (3) John, born Jan. 28, 1824, was a well driller, at Oil City, Pa. (4) Bernard is mentioned below. (5) Bridget, born Jan. 27, 1829, married Hugh McCollough. (6) Sarah, born March 5, 1832, married William Brinton, of Brookfield, Pa. (7) Mary, born March 6, 1834, married a Mr. Hartman, of South Buffalo township. (8) William B., born March 28, 1836, died young. (9) Henry, born Aug. 12, 1842, is retired farmer living at Tarentum, Pennsylvania.
Bernard Coyle was educated in the public schools near his home. He lived with his maternal grandparents, the McBrides, until they died, after which he worked at home for some time. Later he was engaged at boating on the river. After his marriage he settled upon the old home place in South Buffalo township, remaining there until his death, which occurred April 29, 1901. He was a highly successful farmer, and gave all his attention to his own affairs, taking no active part in public life or interests, though he was a public-spirited citizen and a much esteemed man in his home community. In political connection he was a Democrat.
Mr. Coyle was married to Marsha M. A. Brinton, who was born March 9, 1838, five miles from Pittsburgh on the Brownsville road. Her father, James Brinton, was of German extraction, and was born near Pittsburgh. He lived at East Liberty, Pa., later moving to Godfrey, Pa., where he obtained a farm which he lost afterward. Moving to Clinton, Armstrong Co., Pa., he had a store there. His wife, Christina (Feth) who was also of German stock, died at Clinton; he died at DeHaven, Pa. They were members of the M. E. Church. They had children as follows: Jane, born April 22, 1832, wife of Henry Coffman, of Clinton, Pa.; Annie Eliza, born June 13, 1834, who married John Coyle (now deceased) of Oil City, Pa.; William, born March 16, 1836, who married Ann Coyle, and lives at DuBois, Pa.; Marsha M. A., widow of Bernard Coyle; John P., born April 10, 1840, who died young; Amanda M., born Feb. 22, 1844, who married Stephen McCue; Francis, born on Aug. 27, 1848, who died young; and A., born 1850, who now lives in Florida.
To Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Coyle were born the following children: (1) Sarah married Edward Dillon and lives at the home place. (2) Mary is at home. (3) Anna, widow of John Flinn, has five children, Hugh, William, James, Elizabeth and Catherine. They live in Allegheny, Pa. (4) William F., hotel proprietor at Pittsburgh, Pa., married Bridget Murphy and has two children, Mary E. and William F. (5) Henry F. died at the age of twenty-eight years. (6) Bernard first entered the army in 1892 and is now serving in Company D, 26th Infantry, United States Regular Army, at Fort Wagner, under his third enlistment. He was in all of the land battles in Cuba. (7) Elizabeth is deceased. (8) Lawrence, employed as a stationary engineer at Chicago, Ill., married Catherine McCollough. (9) Florence is the wife of Joseph Bessett, of Brackenridge, Pa., and has one son, Joseph D.
Mrs. Coyle built the brick house now standing on the farm in 1905. It is a three-story modern dwelling of fourteen rooms, beautifully situated overlooking the Allegheny river. The family is highly respected for substantial qualities and genuine worth.
Source: Pages 947-948, Armstrong County, Pa., Her People, Past and Present, J.H. Beers & Co., 1914
Transcribed November 1998 by Kathy Zagorac for the Armstrong County Beers Project
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