Joseph G. Armstrong was born in what is today the Northside neighborhood of the U.S. city of Pittsburgh. He became a glassmaker and eventually participated in the glass union and labor movement. From his labor connections he was elected to City Council and then ran successfully for County Coroner

Coroner

A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...

 in 1904. He was coroner during the Pressed Steel Car Strike of 1909

Pressed Steel Car Strike of 1909

The Pressed Steel Car Strike of 1909, also known as the "1909 McKees Rocks Strike," was an American labor strike which lasted from July 13 through September 8. The walkout drew national attention when it climaxed on Sunday August 22 in a bloody battle between strikers, private security agents, and...

. He died of pneumonia in Pittsburgh on November 19, 1931 and is interred in South Side Cemetery, Pittsburgh.

Pittsburgh politics

After being seated mayor in 1914, Armstrong went on an unprecedented building spree in the city, earning him the affectionate nickname "Joe the builder" among voters. His classical structures still grace the city today, including the massive 10 story City-County Building

Pittsburgh City-County Building

The Pittsburgh City-County Building is the seat of government for the City of Pittsburgh and houses both Pittsburgh and Allegheny County offices. It is located in Downtown Pittsburgh at 414 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.-Design:...

 taking up an entire city block. His rule as mayor was also responsible for massive construction projects that are not so easily visible such as the Armstrong Tunnel

Armstrong Tunnel

The Armstrong Tunnel in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, connects Second Avenue at the South Tenth Street Bridge, under the Bluff where Duquesne University is located, to Forbes Avenue between Boyd Street and Chatham Square.-Construction:...

 which for the first time allowed easy access from the Grant & Liberty section of downtown to the Southside

South Side (Pittsburgh)

South Side is an area in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA, located along the Monongahela River across from Downtown Pittsburgh. The South Side is officially divided into two neighborhoods, South Side Flats and South Side Slopes. Both the Flats and the Slopes are represented on Pittsburgh City...

 neighborhood under the steep "bluff" that Duquesne University

Duquesne University

Duquesne University of the Holy Spirit is a private Catholic university in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded by members of the Congregation of the Holy Spirit, Duquesne first opened its doors as the Pittsburgh Catholic College of the Holy Ghost in October 1878 with an enrollment of...

sits on.