Career
Born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, Wingate received a limited schooling. He engaged in the mercantile business in Bath, Maine, until 1820, part of Massachusetts, District of Maine. He served as collector of customs at the port of Bath from 1820 to 1824.
Wingate was elected to the Twentieth and Twenty-first Congresses (March 4, 1827-March 3, 1831).
Joseph moved to Windsor, Maine. He died in 1845 in South Windsor, Maine.
He was interred in Rest Haven Cemetery.