NORTHWESTERN IOWA ITS HISTORY AND TRADITION VOLUME II 1804-1926 C. L. JOY Chauncey L. Joy, attorney at law of Sioux City, has long enjoyed high standing in professional circles in this part of the state. Sioux City also numbers him among her worthy native sons, for his birth here occurred on the 7th of February, 1864. His father, William Leonard Joy, was a leading representative of the legal profession in Sioux City for forty-three years and ever maintained a foremost place among the prominent lawyers of Iowa. In 1899, when seventy years of age, he was called to his final rest. His birth occurred in Townsend, Vermont, on the 17th of August, 1829, his parents being William H. and Hetty (Leonard) Joy, the former the grandson of a patriot of the Revolutionary war. William H. Joy followed farming and was also the owner of milling property, and during his youth William Leonard Joy largely assisted his father. In the meantime, however, he attended school and prepared for college as a student in Lelinad's Seminary in his native town. When twenty-one years of age he entered Amherst College, completing the regular course with the class of 1855, but in the meantime devoting three winter seasons to teaching school. He was a teacher in Leland's Seminary for a few terms and during that period devoted all his leisure hours outside the schoolroom to the study of law, which he continued under the direction of Judge Roberts. Early in the spring of 1857 he was admitted to the bar and almost immediately afterward came to Sioux City, Iowa, where he arrived on the 5th of May. There he remained as an active member of the bar until his death, which occurred in California. William Leonard Joy entered into partnership with N. C. Hudson, under the firm style of Hudson & Joy, and the relation was maintained until 1866, after which he was alone in practice for two years. He then became the senior partner of the firm of Joy & Wright, which for twenty years maintained a reputation as the leading law firm of Woodbury county. These gentlemen acted as local attorneys for the Illinois Central Railroad Company and as general attorneys for the Sioux City & Pacific, the Dakota Southern, the Covington, Columbus & Black Hills Railroad Companies and for the Iowa Falls & Sioux City Railroad & Land Company. The clientage of William L. Joy continually increased, and he practiced in both the state and federal courts. He practiced in northwestern Iowa at a time when his professional labors were attended with many hardships and difficulties. During the winter seasons and when the waters were high he traveled the circuit. The journeys were often fraught with danger, for he had to make his way over wide prairies which were crossed by swollen streams. There were nights spent by the lawyers in wandering over bleak prairies, searching amid blinding snows and piercing winds for a dim trail; days and nights spent in wet clothing, journeying through drenching rains and swollen streams, crossing the almost trackless prairies; trips on foot made through mud and water to Dakota City and back; crossing the Missouri in skiffs and dug-outs amid floating ice and angry waves, when the chances of reaching the shoreless land were better than those of making the home port. Then, too, for many years the possibility was ever before them in their journeys that the red man might be lurking for them in every clump of trees. This constant exposure to danger made them fearless almost to recklessness. As he found opportunity, William L. Joy made investments in real estate and became the owner of extensive property interests. In 1888 the partnership of Joy & Wright was dissolved, and Mr. Joy afterward became the senior partner of the firm of Joy, Hudson, Call & Joy. He did not confine his attention, however, entirely to his legal practice, for he became a factor in financial circles. For many years he was the president of the Sioux National Bank, which was organized in June, 1881, with a capital of one hundred thousand dollars, which was afterward increased many fold. He was also a stockholder and a director in the Iowa Savings Bank, which was organized January 15, 1883, and was likewise a director of the Union Loan & Trust Company. On the 10th of October, 1859, William L. Joy was united in marriage to Miss Frances Alfreda Stone, who was born in Westmoreland, New Hampshire, and is a representative of an old New England family. She passed away in Sioux City, December 28, 1913, mourned by her many friends. By her marriage she became the mother of two children: Chauncey L., of this review; and Helen F., wife of George Y. Skeels. William L. Joy gave his political support in early life to the whig party and afterward to the republican party. He was always deeply interested in school matters and for more than a quarter of a century was a member of the school board of the independent district of Sioux City. He gave the benefit of his large business experience and much valuable time to the district. To him and his colaborers, who comprised some of the most prominent citizens of Sioux City, is due the excellent condition of the public schools of the city and most of the property the district now owns. He was twice called to represent Woodbury county in the lower house of the state legislature, serving in 1864 and 1866, and he took an active part in many public movements and measures having direct and important bearing upon the welfare of the community. One of his special duties was the investigation concerning railroad interests of northwestern Iowa, and he succeeded in carrying through the measures for which he was sent. Having accomplished this work, he steadfastly refused to again become a candidate for office. For two years he was a member of the board of county commissioners. He was frequently urged by his friends to become a candidate for judge of the district and circuit courts and also of the supreme court, and his analytical mind and freedom from bias were qualities that would have enabled him to grace the bench, but he never desired such office. He held membership in the Baptist church for many years and lived a life which brought him not only prominence but the respect and confidence of his fellowmen. His demise was deeply mourned, and his memory is still cherished by many with whom he came in contact. Chauncey L. Joy, whose name introduces this article, received his early education in the public schools of Sioux City and continued his studies in the State University of Iowa at Iowa City, from which institution he was graduated with the degree of Bachelor of Arts in 1886. the same year he went to Nebraska, where he was admitted to the bar, but had practiced for only a short time when he left that state for South Dakota, where he also secured admission to the bar. After a brief period, however, he returned to Sioux City and was admitted to practice in Iowa. Here he became associated in professional work with his father as a member of the firm of Joy, Hudson, Call & Joy. Following the demise of William L. Joy, he formed a partnership with A. H. Burton which was maintained until the death of the latter several years later. Since that time Chauncey L. Joy has followed his chosen profession independently and he has won well merited success therein. His clientage is extensive and of an important character. He is remarkable among lawyers for the wide research and provident care with which he prepares his cases. At no time has his reading ever been confined to the limitations of the questions at issue. It has gone beyond and compassed every contingency and provided not alone for the expected but for the unexpected, which happens in the courts quite as frequently as out of them. On the 2d of August, 1924, Chauncey L. Joy was united in marriage to Miss Frances Matthews, of Maine, whose forefathers left England to take up their abode among the early settlers of this country. Mr. Joy exercises his right of franchise in support of the men and measures of the republican party. He made a commendable record during twenty years' ser vice as referee in bankruptcy in Sioux City. He belongs to the Chamber of Commerce and fraternally is affiliated with the Masonic order, being a member of Landmark Lodge No. 103, A. F. & A. M.; Columbian Commandery, No. 18, K. T.; Sioux City Consistory, No. 5, S. P. R. S.; and Abu-Bekr Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S. He is likewise identified with the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and the Woodmen of the World. Debbie Clough Gerischer Iowa Gen Web, Assistant CC, Scott County http://www.celticcousins.net/scott/ IAGENWEB: Special History Project: http://iagenweb.org/history/index.htm Gerischer Family Web Site: http://gerischer.rootsweb.com/