Connecticut western news., 1894-12-20
DAVID JOYCE.

Mass, and only short distance from Chapinville, Conn. MT Joyce's early life was spent in the vicinity of his birthplace, and there are many still liv- ing in this section who remember Mir Joyce and will be interested in sketch of his career. The Falls Village corres- pondent did not attempt to give sketch of MT Joyce, but frankly stated he would leave that duty for those who knew MT Joyce best. From the Clin- ton County Advertiser of Dec 6, (pub- lished at Lyons, Iowa. we copy the fol- lowing account of Mir Joyce's last ill., ness, and sketch of the deceased:
 Most of our readers are familiar with the fact that he was called away by bus mess in connection with the terrible forest fires in Winconsin aud Minneso ta. The worry incident thereto told upon his advanced years. and he suffer ed paralytic stroke November 22d, at the West Hotel, Minneapolis.
 His condition was deemed critical and his wife and son, ". T were sum- moned. The fears, unfortunately prov ed well founded, as on the 3d inst. he sustained secopd stroke, resulting in death about twenty-four hours later at 20 a. m Tuesday, Dec. 4th. The re- mains accompanied by his wife and son arrived here over the O. B. & Q at an early hour yesterday.
 David Joyce was born in Berkshire Co.,, Mass, February 26, 1925, de- scendant of the old Puritan stock. His father conducted blast furnace, foun- dry and machine shop.
 Receiving a moderate education in the public schools, he entered his fathers employ as driver of team at the age of 12 Developing mathemati- cal taste be not only acquired know ledge of machinery and foundry busi- ness, but became also practical civil engineer and surveyor, making the in- struments of the surveyors profession with his own hands. He continued his connection with his father until 30 years of age. Opening up mercantile busi- ness in 1848, he assumed full control of two general stores. In 1857 he purchased his fathers en- tire business, uniting all into one and continuing in charge until 1860, when he disposed of his interests, cast bis vote for Lincoln, and came west to seek | better opportunities. In the summer of 1861, having come into possession of the 'Stumbaugh" mill he laid the fonn- darion of the enormous and far reach ing business to which it had grown at his death. For one year only from 1864 to '65 he had partner, s 1. Smith, un- der the name of Joyce & Smith, dis solving on the last named year
 During his busy life, Mir Joyce had become interested in many enterprises, among other things being stockholder in no less than twelve different saw mills plants of which one is located within IS miles of Lake Superior north, another 80 miles from the Gulf of Mex ico, while still another is at Puget Sound. His mills here and at Fulton employ about three hundred men and cut thirty million feet of lumber aunu- ally. He had also large holdings in pine lands in Minnesota, Wisconsin and Texas.
 At his death he held among others the following offices: President of the First National Bank of Lyons; Trinity Lumber Go, Groveton, Texas; Lang ford & Hall Lumber Co.,, Fulton, Ill 1; Benjamin Machine Go. South Evanston, H.; Creston Springs Railroad Co.,, Creston Springs, Wis; was secretary and treasurer of the Barrouett, Wfscon- sin, Lumber Go. ,and of the Shell Lake, Wis, Lumber Go. He was also heavy stockholder in the White River Lumber Co, Mason, Wis !; Park Hotel, Hot Springs, Ark; the Mississippi River Logging Go, and others
 Here in Lyons, his home city, he had ever been for the best interests of the place. He was one of the founders of the First National Bank, was instrument tai In getting the first street railway in- to Lyons and Clinton, being connected with 1t for many years.
 Mir Joyce was always ready to assist any worthy object, charitable or relig- ious, and took Q great interest in educa- tional matters. An employer of many men, he was near to them, and the humblest of them was granted hear ing by his employer as quickly as if he were great man. As consequence he held the confidence and esteem of his men to a remarkable degree
 David Joyce was remarkable man in many ways. Possessing remarkable brain power and indomitable will, he possessed also to wonderful degre,', the rare ability to see and grasp all sides of an opportunity. His success es were not the result of brilliant, meteoric speculation, but were rather the calm, sure result of sound, well balanced judgment. His was master mind. Of unquestioned integrity tbe man was happy who could call him a friend, for what he promised he fulfill ed
 He was a man to whom work was , life, aud inactivity the most painful state imaginable; and yet he enjoyed life in his way just as much as others. Married at LeRoy, N Y in 1858 to Miss Elizabeth F. Thomas, she with : one son, William T., is left to mourn They have the sincere sympathy oi thousands, in their loss. , As a citizen he had never been a poll. tician and was only once prevailed up l on to accept office, that of mayor oi Lyons, to which office he was unani-
 mously elected and which he held two
 terms from 1872 to 1876. Here as in l his own business was demonstrated his great financial ability. When he as.
 sumed the reins, city bonds were selling
 at forty five cents on the dollar. He left the office with money enough in the treasury to pay in full every claim l against the city. He was without doubt : one of the very best mayors the city
 ever had.
 From the Lyons Ia Mirror of Dec 8, we copy the following report of Mi
 Joyce's funeral
 The funeral of David Joyce, who die6
 at Minneapolis Tuesday morning, Dec = 4th, was held yesterday afternoon, Rev g A. R Bickenbach conducting the ser 8 vices at the family residence, with sing . ing by Messrs McArthur and Lach mund. Mrs Leedham and Miss Rud l man, and burial in Oakland cemetery