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         J. E. JOY, whose farm is on section 17, Port Louisa Township, was born in Monroe County, N. Y, in 1836, the sixth in a family of thirteen children born to Joseph and Sarah Ann (Crouch) Joy, who were natives of England. Their home was near London, and they emigrated to this country in 1827, settling in Watertown, N. Y., though they afterward removed to Monroe County, where the birth of our subject occurred. Mr. Joy there engaged in farming until his death, which occurred in 1860. His excellent wife survived him some years, and was called to her final home in 1868.

The early years of J. E. Joy were spent upon a farm in New York, and there he received his education in the district schools. In 1854, having decided to make his home in Louisa County, he emigrated to Iowa, and settled in Port Louisa Township, where he engaged in the wood business. After residing there for about seven years, he responded to his country’s call for troops, enlisting July 17, 1861, in Company C, 5th Iowa Infantry. He was mustered into the United States service at Burlington, after which he marched to the front, and participated in the following battles: New Madrid (where they captured 6,000 prisoners), Ft. Pillow, Hamburg, and the siege of Corinth, after which he was taken sick at Camp Clear Creek, lying in the hospital for some time at Jackson, Tenn. He there received his discharge Nov. 28, 1862.

After receiving his discharge Mr. Joy returned to Iowa, but has never entirely recovered his usual health. In February, 1867, he led to the marriage altar California Hutchinson, a native of Iowa, and a daughter of George and Elizabeth (Huber) Hutchinson, the father a native of Ohio, and the mother of Switzerland. They became residents of this State at an early day, settling near Muscatine, then Bloomington. In 1871 the death of Mr. Hutchinson occurred at Port Louisa, but the mother is still living, and resides in Nebraska.

After their marriage the young couple began their domestic life upon a farm on section 18, Port Louisa Township, there residing two years. In 1856 Mr. Joy purchased some timber land in this county, and in 1869 he bought 140 acres of wild land on section 17, Port Louisa Township. He immediately commenced its improvement and cultivation, and with his family took up his residence there in 1870. As time has passed he has added more land, and now owns 320 acres, one-half of which is under a fine state of cultivation, the remainder being used for pasturage. In his political views Mr. Joy is a Republican, but not an office-seeker. He has served as a School Director, and also as Road Overseer, and is a member of the A. M. Taylor Post, G. A. R., at Wapello. Mrs. Joy is a member of the Presbyterian Church at Columbus Junction.

Two children have been born to our subject and his estimable wife, Mary Elizabeth and Harry Ellsworth, both of whom are attending school at Columbus Junction, where the family now reside.