Was christened, 2 June 1878, at St. John Church, Keswick, Cumberland. Recorded surname Cartmel (spelt with one L). Parents named as William and Mary Ann Cartmel of Ashness. Was a farmer at Keswick, Cumberland, England & later Sedgewick, Alberta, Canada. Owned a flock of 1200 Swaledale sheep at Ashness Farm. Told his son that he would never work for another man, and that is why he was a farmer all his life. Was an avid livestock showman, won many prizes for his animals at livestock showings throughout Cumberland. Sarah Allison, nee Cartmell, formerly of Ashness Farm, often spoke of her brother Joseph William bringing his roosters into the parlour at Ashness, in-order to dress them up for the livestock showings. Always helped out neighbours and strangers in both England & Canada. Joseph Morgan Cartmell stated his father would always fed the less fortunate if they came out to their farm. Would often have visitors staying for a month or more at a time, both in England and in Canada. Emigrated to Canada in April 1925 to acquire ownership of Canadian Pacific Railway farm land on the prairies, which the CPR had promoted in England to encourage immigration.

Joseph William Cartmell landed in St. John, New Brunswick, Canada, April 14, 1925 off of the Canadian Pacific ship SS Montclare. Emigrated with his second wife Adelaide "Dinah" Holyland and his only son Joseph Morgan Cartmell. Acquired a Canadian Pacific Railway section (640 acres) of prairie farmland, 9 miles northeast of Sedgewick, Alberta, Canada; Legal Description: Hill Park, Section 7, Range 11, Township 45, W4. Mixed farmed, grain, cattle and registered suffolk sheep at Sedgewick, Alberta, until his death on May 22, 1943, in an Edmonton, Alberta hospital. Was an avid hunter of upland gamebirds and waterfowl. Also hunted coyotes at Sedgewick. Hunted from horseback with two coyote hounds, as well as two blood hounds. Was a crack shot, often shot running coyotes at 200 metres with a .30 US calibre rifle. Coyote hunting was necessary on the prairies in-order to protect livestock, especially domestic sheep.