His Romanian origin is mentioned by Giovanni de Marini Poli in 1595, by CosimoCapponi in 1596, by István Szamosközy and by the Franciscan friar Giuseppe Pisculo. His father was Dániel Jósika de Karánsebes, who functioned as vice-ispán of Szörény County. István had five siblings. He married Borbála Füzy in 1593, they had a son, Zsigmond. He mastered Romanian, Hungarian, Italian and Latin. Jósika raised among the Transylvanian aristocrats, because his wife was related to the Báthory family. István became founder of his family's property. In 1585, he became a secretary for the Chancellery. After the death of Farkas Kovacsóczy, he was appointed Chancellor of Transylvania by PrinceSigismund Báthory. The monarch donated the confiscated estates of László Szalánczi to Jósika, like Zsidóvár and Branyicska. He took his title of nobility from the latter village's name. He was also promoted to the rank of Baron, after that his family belonged to the Hungarian nobility. According to historian István Szamosközy, Jósika was responsible for the execution of his predecessor, because he wanted Kovacsóczy's office. He was mentioned as Captain Generalin September 1597. He besieged Temesvár on 17 October 1597, but he was forced to retire ten days later. Jósika was a trusted man of Báthory, the prince often sent him to Italy and Prague as his envoy. He also negotiated with Emperor Rudolf. When the Holy Roman Emperor became Prince of Transylvaniaafter series of conflicts and abdication of Báthory, he appointed Archduchess Maria Christina as his Regent. Jósika also held the position of Chancellor. However he became advocate of the pro-Ottoman politics in Transylvania. His activity revealed. He was arrested and imprisoned on 4 April 1598. Sigismund Báthory returned to Transylvania and marched into Kolozsvár to retake his throne. The prince accused him to want to obtain the power, as a result he was decapitated without judgement before gate of the Szatmár Castle.
Legacy
His widow married to Zsigmond Sármasági. Jósika's possessions were confiscated, but later his son, Zsigmond, regained them. His life inspired the novel of his descendant, Miklós Jósika.
