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Cornelius Doyle
1886-1958
Cornelius “Neil” was the second son born into the family was undoubtedly named after the maternal grandfather the other Cornelius Carney the date of birth was 8 August 1886 at St. Thomas Minnesota. The official County birth records show him as “Nealy” born to Michael Doyle and Nora Karney. It also indicates that both Michael and Nora were born in Ireland. Officially records as in this case often incorrect.
Not a great deal is known of Neal's formative years. He appears on the State Census of 1895 as nine years of age. One other reference is known to us. The 18 April 1908 Sentinel had this item. "Cornelius Doyle left on Monday for Minneapolis". [Age of 22 years and 118 days]. This could have been his departure from home but we can be sure.
He appears in the 1910 and later City Directories of Minneapolis. He appears in the 1910 and later City Directories of Minneapolis. In 1913 he shows as a substitute on Engine Co. #8, Minneapolis Fire Department. Succesive years thru 1919 show:
1914-Fireman, Eng. Co. #23 res: 517 E. 28th 1915-Pipeman, Eng. Co. #6, res: 3015 Stevens Ave. 1916-Pipeman, Eng. Co. #6, res: 2929 Stevens Ave. 1917-Fireman, Aux. Co. #3, res: 2929 Stevens Ave. 1918-Fireman, Aux. Co. #3, res: 3640-39th Ave. So. 1919-Fireman, Aux. Co. #3, res: 3109-4th Ave. So. & 3224 Bryant So.
Neal is remembered as a gentle, kindly soul. He, along with brother, Dan, were physically, the two biggest in the family. Typical of big men, they both had a lot more "bark than bite'J. Neal was especially good to the children of the family and his many kindnesses to the writer will never be forgotten.
In a double wedding ceremony with his bride's sister, Elizabeth (Bess) Healow, and Fred Anderson, Neal married Mary B. Healow on 3 Sep 1913. Mary was known as Mayme throughout her life. Since she was born at Henderson, Minnesota, it is possible that she and Neal first met there, rather than in Minneapolis. Mayme was born 20 Jan 1892 to the marriage of Patrick Healow and Mary Murphy.
As shown above, one of their early homes as at 3224 Bryant and Cornelius' brother, Daniel and family also rented in the same 4 plex building
Carol was the first child born into this family, arriving on Christmas Day, 1916 in Minneapolis. It was at the Bryant Avenue address where Carol regularly "beat up" her cousin Byron Doyle per the stories told us by our parents. Admittedly, she reserved this right to herself, as if any other kid tried picking on Byron Carol immediately "lowered the boom" on that child.
On 19 Oct 1918 a first son was born and given the name, Quentin. He, unfortunately, died shortly after birth and was buried at st. Mary's Cemetery in Minneapolis.
Good fortune returned the following year when son, Cyril, was born on 14 Sept 1920 in Minneapolis.
Daughter, Beverly, was the first of the children to be born in St. Louis Park, arriving on 11 Oct 1925. She was followed by another daughter, Mary Lou, on 8 Jan 1928. The last child of the family, Patricia arrived 18 Aug 1929.
During their early residence in st. Louis Park, the family lived at 2612 Toledo Ave. Unmarried brothers, John and Leo Doyle And sister, Stasia lived almost across the street. Nearby lived sister, Hanora (Nonie) Doyle Muckerheide and family.
During their early residence in st. Louis Park, the family lived at 2612 Toledo Ave. Unmarried brothers, John and Leo Doyle And sister, Stasia lived almost across the street. Nearby lived sister, Hanora (Nonie) Doyle Muckerheide and family.
In the late 1930's the new highway 100 was cut through and disrupted many of the residences. Neal's house had to be moved but they remained on practically the same property.
Son, Cyril, was the first child to marry. He had enlisted in the Navy inc. 1938 and he married Agnes Wirtz on 24 Oct 1939. Agnes was born on 28 Nov 1920 at Calloway, Minnesota and is the daughter of William Wirtz and Margaret Schroeder.
Cyril was at Pearl Harbor on 7 Dec 1941, the day of the Japanese attack and the start of World War II. He was attached to the USS Vestal and was wounded in the initial attack. He was sent back to the mainland for treatment but later returned to active duty in the Pacific.
Beverly was the next child to marry Mueller at Minneapolis, Minnesota on 21 Oct 1943. Peter is the son of Peter H. Mueller and Francis Braun. He was born at Buckman, Minnesota on 3 Oct 1920.
Daughter, Pat, was next, exchanging vows on 10 Sep 1948 with Thomas Hodne, son of Thomas H. Hodne, Sr. Tom was born on 14 May 1927 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
On 24 Jun 1950, daughter, Mary Lou, wed Richard Roby at St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Dick was born in Wabash, Indiana on 22 Jun 1926 to Kenneth K. Roby and Mabel E. Kerr.
Then on 22 Sep 1951, Carol was married to Peter Ruppe. The wedding took place at St. Louis Park, Minnesota. Peter was born at Ironwood, Michigan on 21 Aug 1915 and is the son of Marko Ruppe and Ellen Kraynak. This couple built a home next door to Neal and Mayme and for several years were neighbors.
During his career on the Minneapolis Fire Department, Neal had many assignments and work locations. He attained the rank of Captain on the department and spent a good part of his career at Fire House #28, 43rd and Upton South, Minneapolis.
However, he and Mayme had an avocation during his late years on the department. Brother, Leo, had started in the flower business just prior to W.W.II and Neal's daughter, Carol, became his chief assistant. The business was called The Blossom Shop.
With the advent of high employment needs in industry during the war, Leo and Carol went into war production work at New Brighton. Neal and Mayme took over the operation of the Blossom Shop until a satisfactory sale could be arranged.
Neal retired from the Fire Department in 1951, but immediately became active at the V.F.W. (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Club in St. Louis Park where he was employed part time for the next several years. Neal enjoyed the work and fellowship enough at the "Club" so that it's likely he would have worked "cheaper" if necessary.
Many amusing incidents occurred during this period of Neal's life, but one will have to suffice. At one time the V.F.W., in a fund raising program, brought in a carnival for a few days. One night, 4 A.M. to be exact, Mayme awoke to find Neal hadn't come home yet. Mayme immediately called Carol. The two of them drove to the V.F.W. Club. Mayme went in alone! Shortly, she came out with Neal, son Cyril and son-in-law, Pete Mueller in tow. All the men had big grins on their faces.
They had been playing poker with the carnival workers and were winning big. However, they were afraid to try and break up the game as these carnival workers were not known as "gentle people". When Mayme walked in with "fire" in her eye to match her red hair, even the carnival workers were agreeable to calling it a night.
Neal died on 22 Nov 1958 and is buried at Resurrection Catholic Cemetery, Mendota, Minnesota.
Mayme continued to reside at the family residence after Neal's death as she had several families of children and grandchildren close to her.
On 5 Jun 1965 son Cyril [Age: 45] died suddenly of a heart attack. Mayme had now lost the "men in her life" and she suffered greatly from the loss.
Happily, the son's-in-law and grandsons quickly fille in the void. In 1967 Mayme and her grandson, Peter J. Mueller, Jr. had a wonderful trip to Ireland, England and Rome which brought great joy to Mayme's declining years. Please see Peter's letter, describing this trip on the next two pages.
