The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-11-08
OBITUARY..
JOHN BROWN CoYLE.

JOlu oTOWA OOJlC AaCAy hAOWn DIS
one of the most prominent steamboat
men in New England, died Sunday night
at his residence on State street of Bright's
disease. He had been afflicted with his
trouble for some time and had been under
the care of eminent physicians. be at
tended to business up to last september,
since which time he had been confined to
the house and had been gradually railing.
At the last he passed away as peaoeluhy
as if he were falling asleep.
Mr.. Coyle was born in Portland. oc-
tober 9, 1874, the son of Captain John d.
Coyle, and Sanrina Coyle. The former
came from the north of Ireland OF gooo
old Enniskillen stock, and the latter was
OF English descent.
Mr.. Coyle was educated in the public
schools of Portland. attending the Hign
school and Gorham academy as well. DE
entered the Portland compaDy's employ
soon after leaving school, as machinist
and draughtsman. Later he began service
for the Portland Steamship company as
delivery clerk at Boston. For quite a
number of years ne was cashier in the
Boston office and in 1871 came TO Port
land as general agent TOR the Portland
Steamship, company and New England
and Nova Scotia Steamship company. He
was made general manager of the Port
land Steamship company, January 20,
1885, and became president and manager
January 10, 1892. He was elected treasurer
of tho Maine G+oemshir corr MANY Nav 10.
1888, and general manager and treasurer,
December 81, 1891. He was elected presi-
dent and general manager of the Inter-
national Steamship company February
IS, 1885. On May IL, 1891. he resigned the
office of president and was elected general
manager and treasurer Of the Inter-
national Steamship company, which he
held up to the time of his death. He
resigned his connection with the Maine
Steamship company March %. 1898.
During Mr.. Coyle's term as manager OF
these three steamship companies the
Maine Steamship company built the Cot
tage City and Manhattan. the Portland
Steamship company built the Portland
and Bay State, and the International
Steamship company built the st. Croix.
Mr.. Coyle was q member Of the Me-
chanics association and of Portland Com
m andery.
During his stay in Boston Mr.. Coyle
was the bass singer in the Arlington
street church. Coming here in 1871 he
sang bass for many years in the State
street church choir, and later in the
Second Parish choir. He retired from
public singing several years ago. His last
appearance in oratorio was in Creation"
in City hall, when he sang magnifcently,
his voice showing no signs of decay and
his dramatic vigor being as intense as
ever. He was president of the Haydn
association for several years and under
his lead the Haydns' greatly prospered.
He was junior warden Of St. Stephens
church of which he was member. He
was a member of the White Mountain
club and took great interest in astronomy.
He was married in 1868 to Miss Anna J.
Nash. They had two children, both of
whom are living, Mrs. Clarence A. Hight
of this city, and Mr.. Philip e. Coyle, a
sophomore in Harvard college.
Mr.. Coyle was vigorous and successful
man, who always kept things moving
tremendously in all the enterprises with
whicn he was connected. He was kind
and genial with everybody and when he
died left behind not an enemy in the
world. Plain and unpretentious, he was
eminentIy practical and never exalted
himself at the expense of others. He was
a man in every sense of the word and If
there were more like him the world
would be better for it, As singer he had
eminent natural qualifications. being en-
dowed with superb voice, which would
have made him one of the foremost
singers of his time, if he had devoted his
life to music. Thousands of people will
be sorry to learn of Mr.. Coyle's death,
and everybody will sympathizs with his
bereaved family.
Don't forget the low rate excursion to
Roston on Thursday. See the Fair.