Joseph lived at Logie Pert during the first 43 years of his life. He was a Master Blacksmith at his father's Forge at Craigo, Logie Pert. He sold the Forge in 1937.

After his marriage in 1945, Joseph and Elizabeth moved to Powell River or Vancouver, B.C., Canada, where Elizabeth had a number of relatives. Joseph became a Canadian citizen on 11 September 1969.

Joseph was on a visit to Scotland when he died in 1970. He was probably in Brechin, Angus at the time.