David Joyce, Lyons

DAVID JOYCE, lumber merchant and capitalist, was born in Berkshire county, Massachusetts, on the 26th of February, 1825. He is the son of John D. and Jerusha Jones Joyce, and came of the old Puritanical stock of New England. His father was an enterprising and successful business man, engaged in conducting a blast furnace, foundry and machine shop. His mother was a lady of great moral worth, of amiable disposition and benevolent character. His paternal grandfather was a soldier in the revolutionary war, throughout its entire duration, and in his day was highly esteemed for his integrity of character and exalted patriotism.

The subject of this sketch had only the usual advantages of education presented by our common schools, and at the age of fifteen assumed the entire charge and control of the books in the office of his father's extensive business. His tastes being decidedly mathematical as well as mechanical, he acquired a knowledge of the machine and foundry business during his minority in his father's establishment. The science of mathematics being his favorite study, he pursued unaided and unassisted its several branches, and having constructed with his own hands the necessary instruments, became one of the best practical surveyors in that region, and enjoyed the reputation of a first-class expert in civil engineering. On attaining his majority he continued his connection with his father without any definite understanding or arrangement, taking an active part in all his business transactions until he was thirty years of age. In 1848 he had embarked in the mercantile business, and though still retaining his connection with the parental establishment, devoted himself almost exclusively to his mercantile enterprise. In 1857 he purchased his father's entire business, united all the various departments under one head, and continued in charge of the same till 1860.

In the fall of the same year, having disposed of all his mercantile and manufacturing interests east, and believing that the west afforded better facilities for a business man, he decided to migrate thither; and after casting his vote for Abraham Lincoln, he departed the same day for Lyons, Iowa. The first two years after his arrival he devoted largely to dealing and operating in live stock, principally in buying and fatting cattle for market. In 1861 he embarked in the lumber business, having invested in the property known as the "Stumbaugh Mill," holding it for the time being as mortgagee, and afterward purchaser. Here he took his first lessons in that business, which afterward he has so extensively and successfully carried on. This establishment is now one of the most extensive of its kind in Iowa, manufacturing over ten million feet of lumber annually, and giving employment to upward of eighty-five men the year round. A considerable portion of the timber used is cut on lands belonging to the firm, which affords employment to many men during the winter. The entire establishment, including saw-mill as well as door, sash and planing departments, cover an area of four blocks of ground. Besides his regular business, he is a director and large stockholder in the largest bank in the county, located at Lyons, and has been one of its most efficient officers since the second year of its organization, contributing largely by his energy and judgment to its success. He took the first five-twenty bonds issued by the government that came to Lyons, and by his personal character, material aid and influence, greatly advanced the interests of the national cause. A public-spirited citizen, he has ever taken an active interest in every improvement calculated to benefit his community. His contributions for church edifices and the support of religious institutions exceed in the aggregate five thousand dollars during the past few years. He was president of the board of trustees of the Lyons Female College while it was under the supervision of the Presbyterian church, besides taking an active interest in the public common schools in his vicinity. He was the most liberal subscriber for the Lyons Masonic Temple, and was president of the joint stock company and chairman of the building committee during its erection, although not a member of that fraternity. He organized and constructed the horse railroad between Lyons and Clinton, and has been its principal stockholder and president of the company since its organization. He was for the first three years of its existence president of the Citizens' Association, the object of which is to build up manufactures and to assist strangers coming to the neighborhood in selecting judicious localities, and in every laudable way to advance the general interests of the town. With his employes he is very popular, and takes much interest in their general welfare. Many young men in his employ have been raised by him from menial occupations to those of trust and responsibility.

Although constitutionally adverse to office, he has held several public positions, having been elected mayor of the city of Lyons without one dissenting vote.

He has always been closely identified with the republican party in this state, vindicating its principles, and a firm advocate of its institutions.

In his dealings, being always prompt, he has acquired a reputation for financial ability and business capacity unsurpassed by anyone in his locality.

He married Elizabeth F. Thomas, of Genesee county, New York, in 1858. Himself, wife and one child only, a son, are the sole surviving members of his family.

Source:

The United States Biographical Dictionary and Portrait Gallery of Eminent and Self-Made Men. Iowa Volume.

Chicago and New York: American Biographical Publishing Company, 1878