Joseph Rank
Encyclopedia
Joseph Rank was the founder of Rank Hovis McDougall, one of the United Kingdom
's largest flour-milling businesses.
and educated at the Reverend Haynes's School in Swinefleet
near Goole
, Joseph Rank initially joined the family milling business.
In 1875 he established his own business when he rented a small windmill
. Then in 1885 he installed a mechanically-driven flour mill at the Alexandra Mill in Hull
. His approach was to establish mills close to ports around the United Kingdom
so expanding the business until it was the largest flour-milling business in the Country.
During the 1880s he became a staunch methodist. He was also a lifelong cricket
fan. He established various charities which have now been consolidated into the Joseph Rank Trust and also supported the Hull Royal Infirmary
. During World War I
he served on the Wheat Control Board. Sadly he saw the mills that he had built bombed to destruction during World War II
.
He died at his home in Reigate Heath
in 1943.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's largest flour-milling businesses.
Career
Born in HullKingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
and educated at the Reverend Haynes's School in Swinefleet
Swinefleet
Swinefleet is a village and civil parish in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It is situated approximately south east of the town of Goole on the A161 road from Goole to Crowle...
near Goole
Goole
Goole is a town, civil parish and port located approximately inland on the confluence of the rivers Don and Ouse in the East Riding of Yorkshire, England...
, Joseph Rank initially joined the family milling business.
In 1875 he established his own business when he rented a small windmill
Windmill
A windmill is a machine which converts the energy of wind into rotational energy by means of vanes called sails or blades. Originally windmills were developed for milling grain for food production. In the course of history the windmill was adapted to many other industrial uses. An important...
. Then in 1885 he installed a mechanically-driven flour mill at the Alexandra Mill in Hull
Kingston upon Hull
Kingston upon Hull , usually referred to as Hull, is a city and unitary authority area in the ceremonial county of the East Riding of Yorkshire, England. It stands on the River Hull at its junction with the Humber estuary, 25 miles inland from the North Sea. Hull has a resident population of...
. His approach was to establish mills close to ports around the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
so expanding the business until it was the largest flour-milling business in the Country.
During the 1880s he became a staunch methodist. He was also a lifelong cricket
Cricket
Cricket is a bat-and-ball game played between two teams of 11 players on an oval-shaped field, at the centre of which is a rectangular 22-yard long pitch. One team bats, trying to score as many runs as possible while the other team bowls and fields, trying to dismiss the batsmen and thus limit the...
fan. He established various charities which have now been consolidated into the Joseph Rank Trust and also supported the Hull Royal Infirmary
Hull Royal Infirmary
Hull Royal Infirmary is one of the two main hospitals for Kingston upon Hull . It is situated on Anlaby Road, just outside of the city centre, and is run by Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust....
. During World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
he served on the Wheat Control Board. Sadly he saw the mills that he had built bombed to destruction during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
He died at his home in Reigate Heath
Reigate Heath
Reigate Heath is a Site of Special Scientific Interest near Reigate, Surrey, England.-External links:*...
in 1943.
Family
In 1880 he married Emily Voase and together they had three sons and three daughters, one of whom was J. Arthur Rank, 1st Baron Rank. He married again in 1918, this time to Annie Maria Witty.Further reading
- Through the Mill - The life of Joseph Rank by R.G. Burnett, Published By The Epworth Press, 1 January 1945