Joe Crail graduated from Drake University in 1898 and later studied law at the Iowa College of Law, where he was admitted to the bar in 1903. He began his professional career practicing law in Fairfield. Crail also served in the Spanish–American War with the United States Volunteer Signal Corps, rising to the rank of corporal. After his military service, he pursued a brief stint in politics, running unsuccessfully for Congress in 1912 as a member of the Progressive Party. Subsequently, he resumed his law practice and engaged in banking activities.

Joe Crail's political identity is marked by an intriguing blend of progressive economic ideals and a commitment to military service. His early affiliation with the Progressive Party and subsequent legal career suggest a dedication to reform and justice. Notably, Crail's military service in the Spanish-American War adds a layer of national loyalty to his progressive stance. His later foray into banking, while seemingly at odds with his progressive roots, reveals a nuanced understanding of economic systems. This combination of progressive ideals and financial acumen creates a complex political figure whose motivations and justifications warrant deeper exploration.