Charles Herbert Joyce, representative, was born in Wherwell, near Andover, England January 30, 1830 the son of Charles and Martha E. (Grist) Joyce.[1] He emigrated to America with his parents in 1836, and they settled in Waitsfield,Vermont, where he worked on a farm in summer, attended the district school and academy in winter, and then completed his school attendance at Northfield academy and Newbury seminary.[2]
In the meantime he served as page in the Vermont house of representatives for three sessions,[3] and was librarian of the house one year. While studying law he taught school, and he was admitted to the bar in 1852.[2]
He was married, February 21, 1853, to Rouene Morris, daughter of Gurdon and Laura (Scott) Randall, of Northfield. Charles and Rouene had three children: Inez Rouene Joyce, born 1855,[4][5](educated at Tilden Seminary, Lebanon, New Hampshire, and Temple Grove, Saratogo, New York), was married, March, 1877, at Washington, D.C, to Theron C. Crawford of Michigan.[6] Grace Randall Joyce, who died young and Charles Pitt F. Joyce, born 1866,[7][8] who graduated at Princeton in 1887 and at Dartmouth Medical College in 1892.
He opened a law office in Northfield, Vermont, in 1855,[9], he spent one year as assistant state librarian, then two years as the state librarian,[10] and was state attorney of Washington county, 1857/8.[2], [11]
He was commissioned major of the 2nd Vermont Volunteer Infantry by Governor Fairbanks in June, 1861, and was promoted lieutenant-colonel by Governor Holbrook in June, 1862. He fought gallantry with his regiment in the first battle of Bull Run, at Lees Mills, Williamsburgh, Golden's Farm, Savage Station, White Oak Swamp, the second Bull Run and at Fredericksburg. In several of these battles he was specially mentioned by his superior officers for gallant conduct upon the field. In January, 1863, he was compelled to resign his commission on account of a severe disability contracted during the campaign of 1861.[6]
He resumed the practice of law at Rutland, Vermont and represented Rutland in the state legislature, 1869-72, serving as speaker of the house in 1870/1[11]. He was Republican representative from the first district of Vermont in the 44th, 45th, 46th and 47th congresses, 1875-83, and during his congressional term served on important committees and made notable speeches on the presentation of the statue of Ethan Allen, on Chinese emigration, and on the tariff. Many of these speeches attracted the attention not only of the people of Vermont, but of the whole country and were widely circulated.[6]
At the close of the 47th congress he resumed the practise of law and maintained an interest in politics. Colonel Joyce has always been an earnest, thorough-going Republican, and has in every presidential campaign since 1852 done effective work upon the stump for his party, not only in Vermont, but in New Hampshire, Connecticut, Indiana and ,New York.[6]
Charles retired from his legal practice in 1895 and resided in Pittsfield, Vermont until his death on November 22, 1916, in 1900 he and his wife were recorded as boarders living with Albert and Elizabeth Vose. The census entry confirms his age, date of marriage , number of children, that he and his parents were born in England and that his wife was born in Vermont.[12] He is interred in Evergreen Cemetery in Rutland, Vermont.[13]
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Categories: First Battle of Bull Run | Second Battle of Bull Run | Battle of Fredericksburg | 2nd Regiment, Vermont Infantry, United States Civil War | Rutland, Vermont | Evergreen Cemetery, Rutland, Vermont