Farm of Mr. J. E. Marples, Deleau, Manitoba, Canada.

They were meant to be examples of the civilized and prosperous life a man could expect to lead if he were to take up land in Manitoba (and work hard etc.). Certainly this is a very fine looking home and a middle-class looking family -- reflecting the aspirations of ambitious young Englishmen looking to better themselves through emigration.

Yes, I looked at the 1906 census and Joseph E. Marples (age 50) had emigrated to Canada in 1882 and farmed at Deleau. His wife was named Martha and they had 5 daughters -- Anna, Shirley, Florence, Mabel and Henrietta. That's likely Henrietta on the pony. There were two hired men on the farm in 1906, including one who had arrived from England that year.

The only Joseph E. Marples that turns up being born in England around the relevant time was Joseph Ebenezer Marples, birth registered in the March quarter of 1856 at Ecclesall Bierlow, which is stated to straddle the border of Derbyshire and West Yorkshire. So perhaps this is some distant kin of The Chairman 8 himself!!!

Only one Aked on the Prairies (or in all of Canada, excluding one who was of German origin) in 1911 -- Edward Aked, age 68, emigrated 1905 (from England) and his wife, of Scottish origin. A farmer emigrating past the age of 60 was likely rather unusual. They are near the top of this page: automatedgenealogy.com/census11/SplitView.jsp?id=39889

He is in the town of Scott, Saskatchewan, of which I have a postcard: www.ipernity.com/doc/wintorbos/21002287