József was born on December 16th, 1884 in Bódvaszilas. József's father was János Körtvély and his mother was Rozália Hupka. His paternal grandparents were József Körtvély and Borbála Rémiás. He had a brother and a sister, named János and Rozália. He was the youngest of the three children. He died at the age of 69 on February 18th, 1954.