William Joseph English was born on April 9, 1891 in Arthur, ON. He came to Manitoba with his family in 1898 and lived at McConnell for one year. He then moved to Moline where he received his schooling and began farming in 1914. Joe married Julia Isabella "May" Greer (1892-1974) on October 21, 1914. Together they had four biological children: Allen, Elvin, Richard and Ivan. Their adopted daughter Verna Margaret died as an infant. Joe and May moved to Moline in 1947, and then after retiring from farming in 1965, they moved to Rapid City. Joe continued to live in Rapid City until moving to the Minnedosa Personal Care Home in February 1984.
Joe was an avid sportsman, excelling in baseball, track and field. He also enjoyed curling and was a step dancer. He spent 18 years as a councillor for the Saskatchewan Municipality, was a life member of the Rapid City Agricultural Society, served on the Moline Co-op Board, and was Pas Master of Corinthian Masonic Lodge No. 15. He was later affiliated with Prince of Wales Masonic Lodge No. 14 of Minnedosa, receiving his 70-year Bar membership from the Masons in 1984.
Joseph English died on November 29, 1984 in Brandon, MB. He is buried at Rapid City Cemetery.
Custodial History
As part of the Westman Oral History Collection, this collection was accessioned by the McKee Archives in 1998. The original tapes from the Westman Oral History project were deposited in the Brandon Public Library. Copies of these originals were made by Margaret Pollex of the Brandon University Language Lab at the request of Eileen McFadden, University Archivist in the early 1990s. These copies compose the collection held in the McKee Archives.
Scope and Content
Item is an audiocassette tape containing an interview with W. Joseph English about his memories, including sports, particularly his years in baseball. Interviewers are Gordon Shanks and Elvin English.
Notes
History/bio information from the records and English's obituary. Description by Christy Henry.
Audio Tracks
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For biographical information see RG 6 Brandon University fonds, Series 3 Office of the President, 3.1 President's files.
Scope and Content
Photograph of John E. Robbins' (painted) portrait.
Notes
The original painting, painted by Frank C. Bensing, is hanging above the door to Government Documents in the John E. Robbins Library. Frank C. Bensing was an American portrait artist (1893-1983). He was a resident of New York City. His most famous subject was Joseph P. Kennedy.
