He was born about 1864/5 at Brampton Bierlow.
In the 1881 census he was living at home, aged 16, a trammer (coal mine), and born at Brampton Bierlow.
He married Annie Maud Shaw (sister of George Henry Shaw who married Eleanor Vollans) in the March quarter 1889 in the Rotherham district.
In the 1891 census he was living at Newhill, a coal miner, aged 26 and born at Brampton Bierlow. His wife was Annie, aged 25 and born at Rawmarsh. Their children were Joseph aged 1, born at Newhill Brampton and Hannah aged 3 days, born at Newhill.
In the 1901 census he was living at 85 Newhill, West Melton, in 3 rooms (close to his parents, at 81). He was aged 36, a coal miner (hewer) and born at Brampton. His wife, Annie M. was aged 35, and born at Rawmarsh. Their children were Joseph aged 11 and Hannah aged 10, both born at Brampton.