District: 4
Hometown: Perry, Oklahoma; Noble County
Birthplace: Uxbridge, Massachusetts
Spouse: Rose O’Neil Doyle
Children: Mrs. J. Frank Martin
Thomas H. Doyle was the son of John and Johanna (Henchion) Doyle, who emigrated from Ireland to America. He moved to Kansas City, Missouri with his family in 1879. University and although he never attended a Law University, he began studying for the legal profession in the law office of Parkinson & Benson, in Ottawa, Kansas. He was then admitted to the Kansas Bar in 1893. He married Rose O’Neil in Kansas City and they moved to Perry, Oklahoma Territory. They had one daughter. He was a member of the State House from 1897-1901.
As a member of the territorial legislature, Doyle became involved in the cause of single statehood and was chairman of a delegation that spent six years in Washington petitioning the government. The original statehood bill was drawn by Doyle. This bill with some changes and amendments became the final statehood measure. He is known as the father of the Oklahoma Statehood Bill.
Doyle became a champion of human rights during his early years on the Court of Criminal Appeals. He was first appointed by Governor Charles N. Haskell in September, 1908. He served on the Court until January 13, 1947, except for a six year interval, 1928 to 1934, during which time he served Oklahoma as a member of the Industrial Commission. Doyle was known as one of the best liked men in public life. He was a Democrat and a devout Catholic.
Northwestern State Norman school at Alva, 0K and the negro A. & M. school at Langston stand as perpetual monuments to Doyle’ s work on behalf of public education. He authored both of these measures and secured their enactment. Doyle was also a charter member of the American Law Institute, an organization of eminent jurists and lawyers of the country, perfected for the purpose of rewriting all American law, both civil and criminal.
Judge Doyle was a member of the Select Knights of the Catholic Church, and Modern Woodmen of America. He served as Member and President of the Oklahoma Historical Society.