Joseph Bartley was the youngest son of Jared Bartley and Eliza Jane Bennett of the township of Oxford-on-Rideau, Grenville county, Ontario.
He married Eliza Reddick, a daughter of John and Margaret (McMullen) of Marlborough township. Their children were: Colin, Nelson and Herbert Arnold. The family occupied a farm on lot 4, concession 4, Marlborough township.