Admin/biog history
Joseph Minney was born on the 21st May 1881. On the 1881 census for London Road, Eastcotts, his father, Frederick, is listed as an agricultural labourer and his mother Rhoda as a straw plaiter. Fred and Rhoda already had a five year old daughter, Rose Charlotte, and two sons - William Charles aged 4 and Thomas Harry aged 2.
In 1891 Frederick, Rhoda, sons Harry and Joseph and daughters Sarah Elizabeth (7), Phebe (5), Martha Florence (4) and Girtrude Hannah (6 months) were in Cotton End. On this census Rhoda is described as a lace maker.
In 1901, aged 19, Joseph was working as a horse keeper on a farm as was his father. Rhoda no longer gives any occupation, but Harry is a 'Grocer's out-poster', [Sarah] Elizabeth is a dressmaker and [Martha] Florence a general domestic servant. As well as Gertrude, two more children were still living at home in London Road, Cotton End - Frank (6) and Percy (3).
In April 1903 Joseph married Rose Patience Hill of Cardington. Rose was the daughter of John and Hannah Hill and had been born on the 12 January 1878. Joseph and Rose moved to Cardington. Joseph continued to live in Cardington for the rest of his life. In 1911 they were living at Chapel Cottage, Cardington and Joseph was still a horse keeper on a farm. By 1939 his occupation is listed as farm worker heavy.
Joseph and Rose had five children - Frederick John (b.1904), Dorothy Rose (b. 1908), Hilda Gertrude (b. 1910), Sydney (b. 1912) and Ella (b. 1919).
Joseph's eldest son, Frederick, emigrated to Australia. Joseph and Rose visited Fred in Australia from March 1949 to January 1950 going out on the P&O ship Strathaird and coming back on the Orient Steam Navigation Company's Orion.
Hilda married George Fardell in 1932, Dorothy married Cyril Cambers in 1934. Sydney married Lena Two in 1938 and Ella married first Arthur Freshwater in 1940 and then Wallace Smith in 1950.
Joseph died on 21st February 1952 at North Wing hospital, Bedford. He was listed as living at 306 Chapel Lane, Cardington and probate was granted to Rose. His effects were valued at £474.3s.
Joseph's obituary in the Bedfordshire Times and Independent on the 1st Feb 1952 read:
"Once Champion Ploughman of England. Champion ploughman of England, as well as Bedfordshire some years ago, Mr Joseph Minney of 306 Chapel Lane, Cardington, died in Bedford General Hospital (North Wing) on 21st January. Aged 69, Mr Minney was born at Cotton End, but he had lived at Cardington for 48 years. Of that period, he had been employed at Lake's Farm, now owned by Mr A Findlay, for 45 years. Using a team of horses, in addition to his championships Mr Minney won numerous prizes and certificates for ploughing. A Trustee of the Methodist Church, Cardington, he served as a Special Constable for many years, including the 1939-45 war. A keen sportsman, Mr Minney was a member of Bedford Town FC Supporters' Club, and was also a member of the Ancient Order of Foresters. An outstanding even in Mr Minney's life occurred in March 1949, when, with Mrs Minney, he travelled to Australia, where he spent a year with his eldest son, Mr F Minney of Gapsted, Victoria. He leaves a widow, who was formerly Miss R Hill of Cardington, two sons and three daughters. The funeral service took place at the Methodist Church, Cardington, on 25th January, the Rev W G Carty officiating."
Rose Minney died in 1971.