Rex A. Joyce Biography


	This biography appears on page 1126 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				REX A. JOYCE. 

	Rex A. Joyce, who is engaged in the undertaking and embalming 
business at Hot Springs, was born in St. Louis, Missouri, November 21, 
1889, a son of James W. and Mary E. (Adams) Joyce. The father's birth 
occurred at Brownley, Kent county, England, and the mother was born in 
New York state at Dexter, near Watertown. When about fourteen years of 
age James W. Joyce came to the United States. He first settled in New 
York, but soon afterward went to St. Louis, Missouri, and in 1890 
removed to Hot Springs, establishing what is now the Joyce Undertaking 
Parlors. He continued in the business until his death, which occurred 
July 1, 1911. After locating in Hot Springs, however, he conducted a 
furniture business in connection with the undertaking establishment for 
a number of years. He filled the office of county coroner for a number 
of terms and was a well known and highly respected citizen of his 
community. His widow still makes her home in Hot Springs. In the family 
were two children, but the elder died in infancy. 

	Rex A. Joyce attended the public schools of Hot Springs and the 
Boyles Business College at Omaha, Nebraska. After studying embalming at 
the Williams Institute at Kansas City he assisted his father in the 
business until the latter's death and then took charge of the business, 
which he has since successfully conducted. He is accorded a liberal 
patronage and he devotes his entire time thereto. The business is 
conducted in buildings which were erected by the father and the 
equipment is complete and modern. He carries a large line of caskets 
and undertakers' supplies and in all of his dealings is thoroughly 
reliable. He is also a landowner in the county and state and owns city 
property in Hot Springs. 

	On the 8th of June, 1912, Mr. Joyce was married to Miss Merial M. 
Chappell, who was born in South Dakota near Pierre, a daughter of Rev. 
E. S. Chappell, a Methodist Episcopal minister now located in 
Bellingham, Washington, being manager for the Bellingham district of 
the Washington Children's Home. His wife is a native of England. 

	Mr. Joyce gives his political allegiance to the democratic party 
but has never sought nor desired public office. He is well known in 
fraternal circles, belonging to the Masonic lodge at Hot Springs, of 
which he is the secretary, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, the 
Modern Woodmen of America and the Yeomen. He is likewise a member of 
the South Dakota Undertakers, Association and thus keeps in touch with 
everything that is of interest or value to his line of business. He is 
likewise a member of the Commercial Club of Hot Springs and gives a 
helpful cooperation to plans and measures for the general good. His 
fellow townsmen recognize in him an enterprising young business man and 
his social qualities have made him popular with many friends.