James Frederick Joy

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_F._Joy

James Frederick Joy (December 2, 1810—September 24, 1896) was an American railroad magnate and politician in Detroit, Michigan.

Beginnings

He was born in Durham, New Hampshire, the son of James Joy (1778–1857) of Groton, Massachusetts and Sarah Gee Pickering (1781–1858), daughter of John Pickering,

Education and early career

Educated in Durham, New Hampshire, he entered Dartmouth College, graduating in 1833. From Dartmouth he entered Harvard Law School, from which he graduated in 1836. That year he moved to Detroit and formed a law firm with George F. Porter.

Railroad magnate

In 1846 he entered the railroad business as the lawyer and general counsel to the Michigan Central Railroad. He was subsequently connected with the Illinois Central Railroad. Joy organized the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroads, and was for many years its president. Joy was for several years president of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railway.

In 1872 he was president and a director of the Michigan Central Railroad, drawing a salary of $8,000 per year. He was at the same time president and a director of the Chicago and Michigan Lake Shore Railroad, and a director of the Detroit, Hillsdale and Indiana Railroad. In 1873 he became president and a director of the Detroit, Lansing and Lake Michigan Railroad, taking over from H.H. Smith. He became president and treasurer of the Detroit Union Railway Depot and Station company at Detroit, Michigan.

Politics

Joy was intimately involved with politics from his early career. A member of the Whig Party (United States) and subsequently a Republican, for a time he had also been a member of the Free Soil Party. He was a close friend, confidant and supporter of Abraham Lincoln. At the 1880 Republican National Convention, he gave a speech nominating James G. Blaine for president.

"140/462 Fort Street W. also known as the James Frederick Joy residence. Built possibly in the mid 1860s? and extensively Modified by 1884. James Frederick Joy was born on December 20, 1810 in Durham, New Hampshire. Joy was the son of James and Sarah Joy. James's father was a Blacksmith and later a Shipbuilder in Durham, New Hampshire. James was educated in Durham, New Hampshire he entered Dartmouth College, graduating in 1833. From Dartmouth he entered Harvard Law School, from which he graduated in 1836. That year he moved to Detroit and formed a law firm with George F. Porter. James in 1846 entered the railroad business as the lawyer and general counsel to the Michigan Central Railroad. He would later become the president and a Director of the Michigan Central Railroad. along with his work with the Michigan Central Railroad he would also be involved in Politics serving in the Michigan House of Representatives from the 1st district from January 1, 1861 – December 31, 1862. James was also the father of Henry Bourne Joy who Henry would eventually become the President of the Packard Motor Car Company. This was a house I had trouble with trying to find a good idea on it's age. Silas Farmers Book "History of Detroit and Michigan" illustration dates 1845-1862-1882 with the build dates but I reckon there's a better chance of this house likely being built in the 1860s. It was an italianate with a Cupola tower, which that style was seen quite a bit in Detroit. But by 1884, the house was heavily modified with a third story added onto the house and it lost the Cupola tower in the process. The house was demolished sometime before 1921 according to the Sanborn maps with a small gas filling station replacing the home. First image is the house in it's original form dated unknown from the Burton Historical collection. The second image is the house after its remodeling also from the Burton Historical collection." Mark Connett II via Facebook, Detroit Historical Architectire

James Frederick Joy (2 December, 1810-24 September, 1896) was an American railroad magnate and politician in Detroit, Michigan.

He was born in Durham, New Hampshire the son of James Joy (1778-1857) of Groton, Massachusetts and Sarah Gee Pickering (1781-1858), daughter of John Pickering,

Educated in Durham, New Hampshire, he entered Dartmouth College, graduating in 1833. From Dartmouth he entered Harvard Law School, graduating in 1836. That year he moved to Detroit and formed a law firm with George F. Porter.

In 1846 he entered the railroad business as the lawyer and general counsel to the Michigan Central Railroad. He was subsequently connected with the Illinois Central Railroad. He organized the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy railroads, and was for many years its president.

In 1867 he was president of the Michigan Central Railroad and was for several years president of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railway. He became president and treasurer of the Detroit Union Railway Depot and Station company at Detroit. Inscription: son of James Joy 1778 - 1857 Sarah Pickering Joy 1781 - 1858

• Updated from Find A Grave Memorial via son Richard Pickering Joy by SmartCopy: Sep 16 2015, 23:30:34 UTC