Growing up in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Joseph Grossi was a Catholic boy who had 9 siblings (shown above). His hometown had about 30,000 people and he lived at 529 Thomas Avenue, Johnstown, Pennsylvania. Prior to the war he worked as on the railroads as a brakeman. Through this job he helped his parents and siblings with the money. Most likely because he was young, he did not have a spouse at the time of his departure from home and the war.