He was born about 1863/4 at Brampton Bierlow.
In the 1881 census he was living at home, aged 17, a trammer (coal mine) and born at Brampton Bierlow.
He married Lucy Royston in the June quarter of 1888, in the Rotherham district.
In the 1891 census he was living at Newhill, a coal miner, aged 28 and born at H-- Hall. His wife was Lucy, aged 26 and born at West Melton, and their son was Earnest aged 5 (but probably months) and born at Newhill.
In the 1901 census he was living in Holly Street, Hemsworth, West Riding. He was aged 38, a colliery underground deputy and born at West Melton. His wife, Lucy, was aged 36, and born at West Melton. Their children were Ernest aged 10, born at Newhill and Harold, aged 2, born at Hemsworth.