Edwin Frank Joy

Edwin Frank Joy, farmer and grocer, was the eldest child of William Amos Joy and Sylvia Lucinda Reed. He was born on his parent's farm in Joyfield Township in Benzie County, Michigan on Sept. 6th, 1872.

According to the US Census in June of 1880 the family of William A. Joy lived in Joyfield, Benzie County, Michigan. The following people are listed as members of the household:

William A. Joy, 34, b. Maine, Farmer Sylon (Sylvia), 26, b. Ohio, Housekeeper Edwin F, 7, b. Mich, son Ada L, 5, b. Mich, daughter Carl, 2, b. Mich, son Josie, 5/12, b. Mich, daughter

He attended Joyfield's country schools, and in the summer worked on his parent's farm. Upon reaching the age of eighteen, he acquired the land and home that had been his paternal grandparent's homestead. However, in the early 1890's, Edwin was living in Frankfort, Michigan where he was employed in a general store, and as this manner of work seemed to suit him more than farming, his farm was passed to a younger brother.

At the M. E. parsonage in Benzonia Michigan, on Oct 17th, 1894. Edwin married Gertrude May Whitbeck. Gertie, as she was often called, was living in Frankfort, and her first four children were all born there: Ellsworth Emmett, Gladys Sylvia, Harold Edwin, and Maude Gertrude.