James Frederick Joy (1810-1896)

He was born at Durham, New Hampshire, and was educated at Dartmouth College and Harvard (1836). He started his career practicing law in Detroit and in 1846 became general counsel to the Michigan Central Railroad. He was subsequently connected with the Illinois Central Railroad; the founding President of the Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad; and, President of the Wabash, St. Louis and Pacific Railway. From 1872, he was appointed President of the Michigan Central Railroad and President of the Chicago & Michigan Lake Shore Railroad, and the following year he became President of the Detroit, Lansing & Lake Michigan Railroad. He was also President and Treasurer of the Detroit Union Railway Depot and Station Company. 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. He was a Representative in the Michigan Legislature and Regent of the University of Michigan.