During the winter of 1862–1863, he intended to enter the 67th Ohio Infantry, but was stricken with typhoid fever, and unable to pursue military service.

[3] In 1879, Doyle was elected, as a Republican, judge of the Common Pleas Court for the district of Lucas, Sandusky, Ottawa, Huron and Erie Counties.

[3] In 1882, he was nominated for the Ohio Supreme Court by the Republicans, but lost to Democrat John W. Okey that autumn.

[4] In February, 1883, Governor Foster appointed Doyle to fill the vacancy on the Supreme Court caused by the resignation of Nicholas Longworth II.

[3] He was nominated again that year, but lost to Democrat Selwyn N. Owen,[5] and resigned his seat in December 1883.