Solomon Joy was born in the
state of Vermont on Dec. 21, 1815, and was a son of
Comfort and Martha Joy, nee Rodway likewise natives of
the Green Mountain State, where they died. He received a
liberal education in Vermont, and in 1845, came West,
locating in Illinois, where he followed farming nine
years, then settled in Cass Township, Clayton County, on
a farm of 175 acres. He also owns 400 acres in Fayette
County, of finely cultivated land. He has made farming a
financial success, and has retired from active life, and
is enjoying the fruits of his toil. He was married in
1841 to Lucy, daugher of Gileo and Loraine Newcomb, nee
Nelson, natives of Vermont. One child blessed this
union--Henry, born Sept. 20, 1842; he enlisted in 1862 in
the Union army, and died soon after. Mrs. Lucy Joy died
in 1843, and in 1844 Mr. Joy again married, Mary,
daughter of Moses and Sarah (Dake) Nelson, natives of
Vermont. To them have been born eight children, of whom
Fannie, born Feb. 23, 1845, married D. C. Goodrich, of
Nebraska; Lucy C. born Sept. 27, 1847, is the wife of
Frank Emerson; Lewis N. born Dec. 6, 1850, and Mary, born
Feb. 5, 1859, are living. Mary is blind, but is a college
graduate. The deceased are: Nelson P. born April 2, 1853;
Martha C. Oct. 30, 1855; Elmer E., June 16, 1861, and
Orrin L., May 16, 1872. Mr. Joy has been Township
Assessor, Trustee, and was elected Justice of the Peace,
but declined to serve. He affiliates with the Republican
party, and in religious sentiment is a Free-Will Baptist.
His wife is a member of the Methodist church. source: History of Clayton County, Iowa, 1882, p. 698 |