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John Joyce

Born: Dec. 1816, Headford County, Galway, Ireland

 

Parents: Miles Joyce and Hannah unknown

 

Siblings:  Michael,  Hannah “Annie”,  Mary Ann,  Patrick,  James,  Richard

 

Marriage: Hannah/Ann Bann

 

Children:  Catherine,  Bridget,  Anna, Thomas, Ella,  John, Sarah, Margaret

 

Death: July 25, 1882, Richland Co, WI, buried St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Richland Center, WI

 

 

Biographical sketch from Richland Co, WI:

JOHN JOYCE was one of the sterling pioneers of Richland county, where he reclaimed a good farm, continuing to reside on his homestead, in Marshall township, until the time of his death. He was a man of spotless integrity and his life counted for good in all its relations. Mr. Joyce was born in County Galway, Ireland, in December, 1816, being a son of Miles Joyce, who passed his entire life in the Emerald Isle. The subject of this memoir was reared to maturity in his native land and there received a good common-school education. In 1848 he immigrated to America, making the trip on a sailing vessel, and the voyage extended over a period of eight weeks. He was accompanied by his wife, whose maiden name was Anna Bann and who likewise was native of County Galway. They located in Pennsylvania, whence they later removed to Ohio, where Mr. Joyce was engaged in agricultural pursuits until 1860, when he removed with his family to Wisconsin and numbered himself among the pioneers of Richland county. He secured 220 acres of wild land, in section 36, Marshall township, erecting on the same his little log cabin, sixteen by twenty feet in dimensions, and forthwith instituting the reclamation of a farm in the midst of the forest. He was a man of marked energy and determination, laboring early and late and directing his affairs with much discrimination and ability. He was distinctively the architect of his own fortunes, and he gained a success worthy the name. He reclaimed about 100 acres of his homestead before he was summoned to his final reward. Mr. Joyce was held in unqualified esteem in the community, was a communicant of the Catholic church and was a stanch adherent of the Democratic party. He took an active and helpful interest in public affairs and served eighteen years as treasurer of his school district. He died July 25, 1882, and his devoted wife survived him by a score of years, her death occurring Dec. 21, 1902. They became the parents of nine children, concerning whom the following brief record is entered: Catherine is the wife of Martin Walsh, a farmer of Richland county; Bridget, now deceased, was the wife of James Luft, who is a railroad conductor, residing in the city of Madison; Mary is the widow of Thomas Nee and resides in Richland Center; Anna, now deceased, was the wife of Patrick Wallace, of Richland county; Thomas resides in the town of Rockbridge; Ella is the wife of Anthony Nee, a farmer of Ithaca township; John, by whom was furnished the information on which this sketch is based, will be further mentioned in this context; Sarah is the wife of Henry O’Brien, of Superior, Wis.; and Margaret is the wife of Timothy Conley, of Superior. John Joyce, the seventh of the children, was reared and educated in Richland county and still remains on the old homestead farm, which was the place of his birth. He has always resided here and has well upheld the honor of the name which he bears, being now one of the representative farmers of his native township, devoting his attention to diversified agriculture, stock-growing and dairying. He accords allegiance to the Democratic party and both he and his wife are communicants of the Catholic church. He has been treasurer of school district No. 5 for the past twelve years and takes a special concern in the educational work in his township. Nov. 12, 1903, Mr. Joyce was united in marriage to Miss Mary Thompson, a daughter of George and Mary (Drea) Thompson, of Rockbridge township. Her father was born in this county and her mother in Cleveland, Ohio, and the former was a carpenter by trade. They became the parents of nine children: Mildred resides in the city of Chicago; Mary is the wife of Mr. Joyce, of this sketch; Lucy is the wife of James Thompson, of Beloit, Wis.; Catherine is the wife of Charles Long, of Baraboo, Wis.; and Georgia, Della, Hiram, Helen and Margaret remain at the parental home. Mr. and Mrs. Joyce have one son, John G., who was born Mar. 5, 1905.

 

Census

 1880 US Census, WI, Richland Co, Marshall township
John Joyce, age 65, farmer, married, b Ireland
Anna, 59, b Ireland
Thomas, 27, b Pennsylvania, farmer
Ella, 21, b Ohio, school teacher
John, 19, b WI, works on farm
Sarah, 16, b WI, at home

 

1870 US Census, WI, Richland Co, Marshall township
John Joyce, age 53, farmer, married, b Ireland
Anna, 48, b Ireland, cannot write
Thomas, 18, b Pennsylvania, works at home
Margaret, 15, b Ohio, works at home
Ellen, 12, b Ohio
John Jr., 9, b WI
Sarah, 6, b WI

 

1860 Unable to locate

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