Joseph Nicodemus Gartner was born on Saturday, March 19, 1892 in Allegheny City, PA.  Joseph was the son of August Gartner and Hildegard Schad.  He was baptized at Most Holy Name Church and his Godparents were  Nicholas and Karolina Gaertner.

Joseph really disliked his middle name of Nicodemus, so when he was a young man he started using his confirmation name of Charles as his middle name.  This is the name that is on all his later legal documents, including his death certificate.

Joseph grew up on Reserve Township Road (later called Mt. Troy Road), where he attended St. Aloysius grade school.   Joseph did not attend high school, but rather went to Duff's Business School.  

He served in World War I, and was honorably discharged on Saturday,  November 23, 1918.

Joseph learned the bricklaying trade from his father, August.  He took a year to travel to the west coast and practiced his trade at building apple warehouses in the state of Oregon.  He later told his sons about riding stage coaches in Oregon and Washington during this period.

When he returned to Pittsburgh, he and his brother, Tom, took over the business from their father.  Tom later broke off and worked in the non-union house-building trade.

Joseph took over the family home from his parents in 1923-24.  At that time he did extensive remodeling to the house, adding rooms, porches, and also adding a large warehouse/shop on the rear of the separate "summer kitchen."  Joseph also turned the summer kitchen into a small home for his parents.  August and Hildegard bought a farm in Ohio, and would spend part of their time there and the rest living in the remodeled summer kitchen home.

Joseph & Marcella's wedding photo.  

The best man was Marcy's brother, Joseph Mang and the maid of honor was Joseph's sister, Florentine

Joseph married Marcella Barbara Mang on February 6, 1924 at Most Holy Name Church on Troy Hill, Pittsburgh, PA  (see copy of marriage certificate on my documents page.)  The officiating priest was Father Pfiel.  The couple honeymooned in Cuba.  Marcella was born on January 10, 1900 in Pittsburgh, PA, the daughter of Nicholas Mang and Theresa Karl.

Here is a picture from their honeymoon in Cuba

Marcy, Joe and young Joseph - 1926     Paul & Joe in their "bricklayer's swimming pool"       Joe and Paul - 1928

Richard, Paul and Joseph - 1931

Paul, Richard, Marcy and Joseph - 1930                                           Joseph, Paul, Richard, Dave & Marcy - 1932

Joe, Paul Dick and Dave - 1936

Dick, Joe, Paul, Clara, Dave, Marcy & Joseph - 1938                     Joe, Paul, Dick, Dave and Marcy - 1940

Joe, Marcy, Paul, Dick and Dave - 1944

Marcy kept a plentiful garden on the property.  She canned hundreds of jars and bottles of vegetables, jellies, and ketchup every year.  

Just like their father, the boys all attended St. Aloysius grade school on Mt. Troy Road. They also all attend North Catholic High School, on Troy Hill Road.

Joseph took over Gartner Masonry from his father, and his oldest son, Joseph eventually took it over from him. 

Joseph died on Friday, December 31, 1982 at the VA hospital in Aspinwall.  He was buried on Monday, January 3, 1983 at St. Mary's Cemetery on Mt. Troy Road, Reserve Township, PA.

Marcella died on Wednesday, August 9, 1989.  She is buried next to Joseph in St. Mary's Cemetery.

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