Pettersson lived almost his entire life in Norrby Lemland, Åland, where he had to take over the family farm although he lacked both interest and qualifications for small-farming.

[1] Pettersson began writing and painting in his early school years, though much of his works from this period were not preserved.

Upon his return, Pettersson became active in the local youth organisation, for which he wrote plays and monologues.

Joelsson even had a one-man act called Uncle Joel writes and tells stories.

During the 1920s, Pettersson worked mostly on his parents' farm, only sporadically participating in the youth organisation's activities.

Nyman also wrote an extensive biography of Pettersson, Pojken och den gråa byn (1977).