Multnomah County OR Archives Biographies.....Joyce, J. Harry September 30, 1873 - October 12, 1926 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/or/orfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Ila L. Wakley iwakley@msn.com June 10, 2009, 9:12 pm Author: The S. J. Clarke Publishing Company J. HARRY JOYCE. No one has ever visited or resided in Portland that has not felt appreciation of the Hazelwood restaurant or recognized the thought and comprehensive planning back of that establishment, whereby the comfort of its guests has been materially advanced. The great business interests known to the public under the name of Hazelwood were practically the outgrowth of the ability and determination of J. Harry Joyce, one of the most popular citizens that Portland has ever known, not only by reason of his commercial achievements but also owing to what he did for civic betterment and improvement. Mr. Joyce, who, however, was always known as Harry to his legion of friends, was born in Bendersville, Pennsylvania, September 30, 1873, and was one of a family of seven children, of whom one brother and three sisters are yet living, the parents being George and Jennie (Bitner) Joyce. After acquiring a common school education J. Harry Joyce began earning his living by working on the railroad for a dollar and a quarter per day. He then spent one term as a student in an institute at York Springs, Pennsylvania, and passed an examination that brought him a teacher's certificate but did not secure for him a school, as those in authority felt that he was too young to become a teacher. This did not altogether discourage him, however, -- in fact Harry Joyce seldom became discouraged. He resolved that he would win in the end and he did. With the money saved from his earnings as a railroad worker he attended the State Normal School at Lock Haven, Pennsylvania. Farm work contributed to his exchequer and through one summer he was a member of a threshing machine outfit, working behind the drag for a dollar and a quarter per day, while the other men on the machine in less difficult positions received only a dollar per day. There was no phase of farm work with which he was not familiar, for when not otherwise employed he worked on the home farm. After he had attended the State Normal School for a second term he succeeded in winning a position as a teacher at Alexandria, Pennsylvania, and afterward taught at Mount Union, Pennsylvania, devoting altogether about ten years of his life to educational work. In 1903 he arrived in Portland and immediately sought employment, securing the position of order clerk with the Hazelwood Creamery Company. It was the year after his arrival here that Mr. Joyce was united in marriage to Miss Esther Rhodes, a native of Mount Union, Pennsylvania, and a daughter of Enoch M. and Mary (McClure) Rhodes. The wedding was celebrated in Sacramento and the young couple established their home in Portland, looking forward hopefully to the future and planning how best to meet conditions that progress might result. The Hazelwood people owned a small store on Washington street where they dispensed cream and soda water, but it had not been a paying proposition. This attracted Mrs. Joyce, who urged her husband to secure the opportunity of managing that little place of business, suggesting that they add hot drinks and sandwiches to the line already carried. At first the Hazelwood people would not listen, but Mr. Joyce was persistent and in the fall of 1904 they took over the little store. Hot drinks and meals were served during the winter, during which period they just about met expenses, but with the opening of the Lewis and Clark exposition in 1905 the business began to improve and the trade increased so steadily that in 1907 they opened the famous Hazelwood restaurant on Washington street and some years later the East Side Hazelwood restaurant. From time to time they had to increase the capacity, theirs becoming one of the most popular and best patronized restaurants of Portland. It was original in design and decoration and its tasteful furnishings made it thoroughly attractive to the public. As the business prospered Mr. and Mrs. Joyce saved all they could from their earnings and made investment in Hazelwood stock, adding to their holdings from time to time. The Hazelwood was established in Spokane, Washington, the name being taken from a famous dairy in Illinois. For many years the name was synonymous in Portland with the highest class restaurant service in the city. Eventually Mr. Joyce and his brother Gilbert, together with F. N. Martin, secured full control of the business and J. Harry Joyce became president of the company, which under his wise management forged steadily to the front. After a time a large and modern restaurant was opened on Broadway and later still another on Sandy boulevard, and following the death of Mr. Joyce his plans were carried out in the establishment of still another place of business. For some time, however, Mr. Joyce was in ill health. Physicians advised that he take life easier, but his was a nature that could not be content to spend any hours in idleness. Accompanied by his wife, he attended the National Restaurateurs' Association convention at Atlanta, of which he was vice president and could have been president had he been willing to accept the office. Following the close of the convention he and his wife, with friends, were touring Florida when the end came very suddenly at Jacksonville. Mr. Joyce was a member of Willamette Lodge, A. F. & A. M., had taken the degrees of the Scottish Rite and was a member of the Mystic Shrine. He also belonged to the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks, the Knights of Pythias and the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and he was a most loyal and exemplary follower of Rotary. He belonged to the Chamber of Commerce, to the Marine Club and to the Portland Golf Club. In his passing Portland suffered a great loss. Thousands knew and loved him. His was a most genial nature and a kindly disposition and his interest in the welfare of his fellowmen was not superficial. He worked persistently and effectively to promote Portland's upbuilding and advancement along many lines and his devotion to civic good was undoubtedly a cause of his demise. He was ever found at the head of any movement for the betterment of Portland and he utilized his hours outside of business for public service. All recognized the indebtedness of the city to him, but aside from his public work and his success in business it was Harry Joyce, the man, who was so greatly endeared to his fellows, his position in the regard of all being the direct outcome of his kindly nature, his cordiality, his sympathy and his helpful spirit. His death occurred October 12, 1926, when he was fifty-three years of age. Additional Comments: History of the Columbia River Valley From The Dalles to the Sea, Vol. II, Pages 827-829 File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/or/multnomah/bios/joyce748gbs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/orfiles/ File size: 7.3 Kb