After school in Peterboro and Toronto[1]: p.39 he decided to move to America and became an American citizen, joining in 1869 the clothing firm of English immigrant C. R. Mabley.
He quickly rose to be manager of the Detroit branch and was then offered by Mabley a partnership in a new store, for which Cincinnati was selected.
He was a prominent Freemason and active in public service and was presented with the "Golden Key of the City" by the Chamber of Commerce.
He died at his home in Walnut Hills near Cincinnati on December 11, 1914 at the age of 65 and his cousin Bolton Stretch Armstrong took over as Company President.
Joseph was buried in Spring Grove cemetery, his name perpetuated by one of Cincinnati's tallest buildings, the Carew Tower, built in 1931 over the site of his office block, the Carew Building.