Joseph was born on January 15, 1866 in St. Cuthbert, province of Quebec, Canada. He was the son of Henri and Aurelie, nee Sylvestre, Tellier. he was one of eight children.
In 1884 he married Angelina Durand in their parish Catholic Church. Joseph was a cultivateur (tenant farmer). The couple had a large family of nine children: Napoleon, Annette, Philibert, Marie Ann, Marie Louise, Alphonse, Diana, Marie Rose and Alice.
Joseph was a farmer all his life but due to dwindling farm acreage it was very difficult to provide for his large family. Joseph and Angelina decided to emigrate to Woonsocket with the family in 1904 . They arrived by train at the Woonsocket Railroad Depot. Angelina's brother lived in the Social district and he volunteered to take in the entire family of 11. They remained in her brother's triple decker for an entire year while they sought employment and housing.
Joseph Tellier had a great deal of experience handling horses on his farm in Quebec and was able to put these talents to good use working as a teamster for the Woonsocket Railroad station. He transported the cotton and woolen bales from the rail station with his horse drawn wagon to the many Woonsocket mills. He was also responsible for the care of the horses and stable.
Joseph's devoted wife, Angelina died in 1908 only four years after her arrival in Woonsocket. He was still able to provide for his family after her death. Joseph was grandfather to 53 grandchildren. Joseph died on May 29, 1950 at the age of 54 and is buried alongside his wife at Precious Blood Cemetery in Woonsocket.