John Hardy Doyle

John Hardy Doyle was a partner in one of the larger law firms in Toledo in the late 19^th century.

He was born on April 23, 1844, in Perry County, Ohio to Michael and Johanna Brophy Doyle. He attended the local schools, as well as Dennison University for a short period. Doyle served as the clerk in the Lucas County Recorder’s Office while reading law and also studied with Gen. H.S. Commager and Edward Bissell Jr.

Doyle was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1865. He joined the firm of Bissell & Gorrill and later became a partner. He was commissioned a lieutenant in the 67th Regiment of the Ohio Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War, but did not serve due to illness.

He continued with Bissell & Gorrill until 1879 when he was elected to the Lucas County Court of Common Pleas for the fourth district, third subdivision. He served this court until 1883. He was nominated by the Republican State Convention for a position on the Supreme Court of Ohio in 1882, but was defeated along with most of the Republicans on that ballot.

On March 10, 1883, Gov. Charles Foster appointed Doyle to the Supreme Court to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Nicholas Longworth. He again was on the ballot in 1883, but the Republicans again were defeated. He was succeeded on the Court by Selwyn N. Owen and returned to Toledo to resume his law practice. His opinions are in volume 39 of the Ohio State Reports.

Doyle formed a practice with A.W. Scott and eventually added Charles T. Lewis to the partnership of Doyle, Scott & Lewis. This firm became one of the larger law firms in Toledo. An avid student of the development of Toledo, Doyle in 1919 published a short history of the city titled: “A Story of Early Toledo; Historical Facts and Incidents of the Early Days of the City and Environs.”

Doyle married Alice Fuller Skinner on Oct. 6, 1868 and they had three daughters. He was a member of the First Congregational Church of Toledo. Doyle died March 24, 1919 at Winter Haven, Fla. and was survived by his widow and daughters. He is buried in the Doyle mausoleum at Woodlawn Cemetery in Toledo.