Bio: Joyce, James T. (1914)
Contact: crystal@wiclarkcountyhistory.org

Surnames: Joyce, Galvin, Cousins, Preston 

----Source: History of Eau Claire County, Wisconsin (1914) pages 750-751 

James T. Joyce, of Eau Claire, is vice-president of the Union National Bank and active in business circles in the Chippewa valley. A native of Eau Claire, Mr. Joyce is bound to this section by ties of birth and he feels the tie a very close one. He was born on April 9, 1862, a son of Pierce and Mary T. (Galvin) Joyce, both of whom were born in Ireland. The father was born in the county of Carlow in 1826 and came to this country in 1857. He made the journey by sailing ship, landing in the city of New York. He drifted from the American metropolis up to Quebec, also traveling by sailing vessel, and from Quebec he wandered west and finally located in Portage county, Wisconsin. In 1859 he came to Eau Claire, Wisconsin, and here engaged in the lumbering business for a time. He then went into the butchering business and later was engaged in the hotel business for a number of years, until his retirement from active life, he was prominent in the city and served as alderman for a number of years, being a Democrat in his political affiliations. Mr. Joyce died October 9, 1907, but his wife yet survives him and is a resident of Eau Claire.

They were the parents of seven children, of which number five are living today. 

James T. Joyce grew up in Eau Claire, receiving his education in the grammar and high schools of that city. At the age of eighteen he entered the Bank of Eau Claire. He gradually worked his way up, winning promotion through hard and conscientious work, until he had reached the post of cashier. He took this position in 1897 and held it until 1906, when he became vice-president of the Union National Bank of Eau Claire, an office which he is now holding. In 1906 he was one of the men who conceived and organized the Union National Bank of Eau Claire, and the Union Savings Bank of Eau Claire, he is at present a director in both banks. He was also one of the organizers of the Union Mortgage Loan Company. Mr. Joyce is a man of many interests, much of his time being given to his lumber and timber interests, and to the various manufacturing concerns with which he is connected. 

Among the organizations in which he is one of the executive officers may be mentioned the following: The Chippewa Valley Casualty Company, which was incorporated in 1902, and of which he is president; The Davis Falls Land Company, incorporated in 1904, of which he is vice-president; The Eau Claire Dells Improvement Company, of which he is vice-president and which was incorporated in 1879; the Eau Claire Savings Loan and Building Association, which was incorporated in 1877 and of which he is treasurer. This long list of responsible positions proves far better than could a long string of words the ability and executive force that Mr. Joyce possesses. Mr. Joyce, it may also be said, served in 1911 and 1912 as president of the Wisconsin Bankers' Association. 

In politics Mr. Joyce is a member of the Democratic party, and has always taken an interest in political affairs, though his only active participation has been as the alderman from the Seventh Ward, which office he held for one term. He is a member of Eau Claire Lodge, No. 402, of the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, but this is his sole fraternal association. 

Mr. Joyce was married in 1890 on the 7th day of November to Mary Cousins. She was born in Eau Claire, Wis., a daughter of Henry and Louisa (Preston) Cousins. Her father settled in Eau Claire in the late sixties and was well known as a lawyer. 

He resided in Walworth county, Wisconsin, before removing to Eau Claire. At the outbreak of the Civil War, under a provisional commission as captain, he recruited a company of infantry. The army surgeon passed every man in the company with the exception of Captain Cousins, whom they rejected on account of his delicate health. He then devoted his attention to assisting others in recruiting work. Several years after the close of the war he located in Eau Claire. He soon became a leader in the Republican party and served on the State Central Committee, Congressional Committee and County Committee. He was elected to the Legislature, the City Council, the County Board and as State's Attorney.