Circus Historical Society
Circus Biographies, Obituaries S - U
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Many of these were taken from the New York Clipper, Billboard, various newspapers. Note these sources will have typographical errors, the transcription will also have typos. All information should be checked with additional sources.
A - B C - E F - J K - M N - R V - Z
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Tan Sabra is a resident of Tokio, Japan, and a very clever and interesting, as well as novel, performance is given by him in the World’s Greatest Show. It consists of sliding in various positions down a very slender inclined wire from the top of the canvas to the ground. Tan can speak the English language with considerable fluency and is a very pleasing young man in many ways. His interesting talks about Japan and its people are very entertaining and beguile many an hour of travel among the show folk. Japanese Troupe, Ringling Bros. 1893. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Lonnie Virgil Sagraves was an elephant trainer on Mills Bros. Circus from 1940s to early 1960s. He was known as Capt. Ky Sagraves. Later he worked as a carpenter on a carnival and was a house builder. Died November 24, 1985 at Ashland, Kentucky. Circus Report, December 17, 1985, p. 10. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Carl William Sahlen came to the United States at age 15 and joined the Peerless Potters with the Barnum & Bailey Circus, an aerial casting act. He was an aerialist, acrobat and gymnast. After he retired from the circus he did independent work putting up banners and flags for conventions, fairs, etc. He made nets and equipment for acts and at the time of his death had developed a five member tumbling act with five small children touring the tri-state area. Born in Sweden, died September 18, 1977 at Carmi, Illinois, age 85. Circus Report, November 28, 1977, p. 2. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Frank T. Saluto was a clown with Ringling-Barnum for 43 years, retiring in 1973. Died July 30, 1982 at Sarasota, Florida, age 75. Circus Report, August 23, 1982, p. 26. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Roy Sampson, last season with Step Lively is back again with John Robinson's Circus, doing press work. Billboard, May 25, 1918, p. 25. Roy Sampson, past summer season press agent for John Robinson's Circus, is now business manager of the Million Dollar Doll Company. Billboard, September 28, 1918, p. 29. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
John C. Sanders, "Smokey," was a transportation mechanic with Ringling-Barnum from 1955 to 1983. Died September 7, 1983 at Venice, Florida. Circus Report, September 26, 1982, p. 20B. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Joseph J. Sandford died suddenly of heart disease July 10 in a gymnasium, Green street, whither he had gone to practice acrobatic and gymnastic feats. He was born in Birmingham, Eng., and had been a performer since boyhood. He came to this country when about seventeen years of age, and had since practiced his profession here, having been engaged with numerous circuses as a trapeze performer. He was for several years a partner with George Brown, and with him performed with Gardner & Hemmings' Circus season of 1866 and possibly for one or two seasons previously. He was with Dan Rice's Circus in 1867, Adame Forepaugh's in 1868, and 1869, Gardner & Forepaugh's in 1870, and the Commonwealth Circus - George M. Kelley, Pete Conklin, W. La Rue, and John Conklin, proprietors - in 1871. After this he separated from Mr. Brown and performed alone. During the seasons of 1872 and 1873 he was with G. F. Bailey & Co.'s Circus and Menagerie, and in 1874 with P. T. Barnum, after which we do not find his name in our circus records. Since then he performed in variety theatres, in partnership with Frederick Watson. A few years ago his physician discovered that Mr. Sanford had a disease of the heart and advised him to retire. While so resting his health improved so much that he decided to resume his profession and commenced practice with the result above stated. He left a widow, who for some time has been singing in variety theatres, and one child. Funeral took place from "The Little Church Around the Corner." After the services the remains were taken to Cypresshills Cemetery for interment. New York Clipper, July 26, 1879, p. 142. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Akimota Sankichi. The name of the leading member of the troupe of Japanese performers is Akimota Sankichi. He is an accomplished wire performer and works, in conjunction with other members of the Japanese company, as a perch balancer, etc. Akimota is an Oriental of considerable intelligence and a man of excellent education in his own language, but during the two years he has spent in this country with the Ringling Bros.’ Show, he has made but little progress in English. He is a native of Yokohoma, Japan. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Capt. Santiago, high diver, Lemen Bros., 1900. Billboard, June 2, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Chicago, March 30. Lola Satterfield, 30 Honore street, Chicago, died suddenly at Littlejohn's Hospital a few days ago, from pneumonia. Miss Satterfield and her troupe of performing dogs were an attraction in circus realms for many years. Whe was with Ringling Bros. for several seasons, and traveled with nearly every outdoor aggregation at one time or another. The remains were sent to the Satterfield Kentucky home for burial. Billboard, April 6, 1918, p. 28. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Nola Satterfield, rider, Ringling Bros., 1905; five horse liberty act, manage, Dode Fisk, 1910. Piqua (OH) Daily Call, August 3, 1905; Marshfield (WI) Times, July 13, 20 & 27, 1910. 1910 census, Wonewoc, Juneau Coumty, Wisconsin: Nola Satterfield, age 32, single, equestrian circus, born Kentucky. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
J. Sauer, performer, band, Ely's Combined Shows, 1900. Billboard, June 30, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
F. G. Sauthoff [Southoff?], the popular “trap drummer,” who has been a member of the Ringling Bros. organization the past three seasons. His residence is at Madison, Wisconsin. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Savoys, dogs, Great Wallace, 1906; Savoys and their kennel of bull terriers, Cole Bros., 1909; Hagenbeck-Wallace, 1910; seven riding and acrobatic dogs, Hagenbeck-Wallace, 1911. Waterloo (IA) Times-Tribune, June 5, 1906; Lethbridge (Canada) Herald, July 24, 1909; Daily Independent (Monessen, PA), April 28, 1909; Evening Telegram (Elyria, OH), May 24, 1910. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Eddie Sawyer, balancing trapeze, Shipp's Indoor circus, 1905. Cedar Rapids (IA) Evening Gazette, February 21, 1905. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Arthur Saxon Trio (Arthur, Kurt, Herman), strongmen, came from Europe, Ringling Bros.,1909. New York Times, April 4, 1909; www.oldtimestrongman.com/arthursaxon_trio.html. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Phil and Francine Schacht did an aerial cradle act as the "Flying Apollos" with the Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. Circus in 1974. Francine was the flyer and Phil the catcher. The Flying Apollos were also on Beatty-Cole in 1970 and 1971. Southern Sawdust, No. 82, February, 1975, p. 2. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Frank Schadel. Possibly Frederick and Augusta Schadel, riders, with Ringling Bros., 1902; possibly Joseph and Augusta Schadels, trick rider and somersault equestrian, 1902.(1) Frank Schadel, rider, Ringling Bros., 1903; Schadel, burlesque equestrian act with a trained zebra, Ringling Bros., 1908.(2) "The only man in the world who has ever dared to twist a zebra's tail is Frank Schadel, the German burlesque rider. Schadel has broken and trained a zebra to drive in harness or under the saddle and do all the tricks of the well-guided menage horse. His act is one of the recently imported novelties of Ringling Brothers . . . Schadel in grotesque make-up does a screaminly funny burlesque cart-riding act. The zebra does the cake-walk, kneels and dances the houche-kouche after the manner of the trained mule. It is the only trained zebra in the world . . ."(3) Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
1. Fort Wayne (IN) News, May 17 & 21, 1902.
2. Oakland (CA) Tribune, September 1, 1903; Evening Tribune (Marysville, OH), April 23, 1908; La Crosse (WI) Tribune, July 4, 1908.
3. Des Moines (IA) Daily News, July 6, 1908; Fort Wayne (IN) Journal-Gazette, July 23, 1908.
Annie Schaffer, rider, Buffalo Bill's Wild West, 1908. Washington Post, May 17, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Mrs. Annie Shields, a "giantess" who had been with Buffalo Bill's Wild West for several seasons, died June 21 [1902], at the Huron Street Hospital, Cleveland, O., from the effects of a surgical operation. Her husband, Shade Shields, one of the original Four Texas giants, survives her. The remains were taken to Ladonia, Tex., for interment. New York Clipper, July 5, 1902, p. 416. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Alfred Schieritz was a member of the trick cycling and bicycling act, the Shyrettos, a trio that included his sister Hanni and Walter Heinze. The Shyrettos toured in Russia before they came to the United States in 1938. In their first five years in the United States they performed at the International Casino, New York. They then played night clubs, theaters. They toured with Ringling-Barnum 1941-43 and with major Shrine and Police circuses and fair dates in the 1940s-1950s. Alfred married comic Sue Carson in 1957 and then managed her career. Died January 25, 1990, age 77. Circus Report, February 26, 1990, p. 3. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Charles J. Schlarbaum, musician, band leader and composer began his career in the circus on the Cristiani Bros. Circus. Was with Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros., Ringling-Barnum, Garden Bros. circuses. Also conductor of the Florida Sunshine State Band. Circus Report, December 21, 1981, p. 6. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Fred H. Schmidt (Conley) joined his father's riding act, the Riding Conleys, owned by Fred Schmidt and Jim Conley. Then he formed his own riding act, the Riding Fredricks. He later was a prop boss with Hamid-Morton. He married Beckie Loter and together they started Schmidt Concessions. Died circa 1987 at New York, age 53. Circus Report, April 6, 1987, p. 6. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
John Schmidt performed on the triple horizontal bar, teeterboard, had a comedy acrobatic act and was a fill-in in clown alley in the 1920s-30s. He was on the Gentry Bros. railroad circus; Sells-Floto two train circus; Sam B. Dill's motorized Circus; Sam B. Dill & Tom Mix Wild West, and Tom Mix Circus. Born circa 1900. Circus Report, April 29, 1985, n.p.n. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Hugo Schmitt was an elephant trainer with Ringling-Barnum for about 25 years. Born in Germany, came to the United States from Sweden and spent more than 50 years in the circus. Died August 10, 1977 at Sarasota, Florida, age 73. Circus Report, August 29, 1977, p. 2. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Conchita M. Schneider (Erikson) was an aerialist for over 60 years, travling with Ringling Bros., Clyde Beatty and a number of other circuses. Died October 25, 1977 at Tampa, Florida, age 71. Circus Report, November 14, 1977, p. 2. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Hilda Emma Schneider, "Daisy Doll," member of the Doll midget family. A native of Germany, came to the United States in 1922. Toured with Ringling-Barnum for 40 years. Died in March 1980 at Sarasota, Florida, age 72. Circus Report, April 14, 1980, p. 2. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Leopold Schneider was a circus performer and clown. He did a perch act with his brother in Germany as the Schneider. Bros. They came to the United States in 1910 and toured with the Ringling Bros. Circus, Cole Bros., vaudeville circuit and other shows. They did a hand balancing, chair pyramid, tumbling and knockabout act. In 1914 they named the act The Excellos, later known as the Freehand Bros. When they settled in the Redlands area, Leo became a clown and an instructor at the Redlands Great Y Circus. Died February 22, 1986 at Redlands, California, age 85. Circus Report, March 31, 1986, p. 8. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Belva Schrader, high wire artist. See Belva Schrader
Elmer Schrader, "Scotty," was the son of Emil and Alma Lindemann Schrader. Elmer traveled with the Seils-Sterling Circus, owned by his uncles, the Lindemann brothers. Died May 14, 1976 at Sheboygan, Wisconsin, age 67. Circus Report, June 21, 1976, p. 7. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Nellie Schrader and her husband toured with the Lindemann-Seils-Sterling Circus. She was known for her dancing horse acts. Died August 22, 1974 at Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Circus Report, September 9, 1974, p. 11. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Steve Schrieber is one of the most persistent seller of side-show tickets that have ever graced the oratorial stands that are lined up in a long row in front of the side-show paintings. Mr. Schrieber occupies the stand at the right of the entrance to the big museum, and his powerful voice and eloquent words can be heard, from early morning until late “candle-light,” depicting in “words of learned length and thundering sound” the wonders of the show to “the simple rustics gathered round.” In making opening announcements, Mr. Schrieber brings an amount of energy and persuasive eloquence into play that never fails to tell its story in the enormous crowds that flock under the spacious canopy of the side show exhibition. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Harry Schubert, animal trainer, Carl Hagenbeck Trained Animal Show, 1905; Hagenbeck-Wallace, 1908. Daily Courier (Connellsville, PA), May 16, 1908; Duble, C. E., "Carl Hagenbeck Trained Animal Show - Season 1905," CHS Note Sheet, No. 8, September 15, 1943, pp. 1-2 (Circus Historical Society). Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Annie Scott, Marie Scott. See Dan Leon.
Mrs. Bessie Scott, performer, band, Ely's Combined Shows, 1900. Billboard, June 30, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
C. H. Scott Jr., of Red Bank, N.J., is engaged to go with Van Amburgh & Co. as press agent. This is his fourth season with the Van Amburgh Company. New York Clipper, March 3, 1877, p. 391. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Carrie M. Scott, contortionist and singer, formerly in vaudevill and burlesque and later with the Robinson, Hagenbeck-Wallace and Howe's Great London shows, retired from the business some time ago and has been raising stock near Williford, Ark. She has not been trouping for the past three years. Billboard, January 11, 1919, p. 29. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
M. B. Scott (M. B.?, blacksmith, Campbell Bros., 1910. Brownsville (TX) Daily Herald, November 29, 1910. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Mamie Scott, slack wire, W. H. Coulter's, 1911; Misses Scott, rolling globe, W. H. Coulter's, 1911. Adams County Free Press (Corning, IA), May 11 & 17, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Maude Scott, bicyclist, carrying act, Frank A. Robbins, 1907. Portsmouth (NH) Herald, June 6, 1907; Bandwagon, Nov-Dec, 2001, p. 34. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
May Scott, rider, Sells-Floto, 1909; May Scott, acrobat, injured, possibly fatal in San Francisco, Sells-Floto 1909. Oakland (CA) Tribune, April 29, 1909; Des Moines (IA) Daily News, May 9, 1909. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Oliver Scott, has been engaged to take charge of the advance cars of Walter L. Main's Circus, 1892. New York Clipper, April 2, 1892, p. 50. In 1911, agent, age 72, has been with John Robinson Shows 40 years. See Slout's Olympians on this website. Waterloo (IA) Evening Courier, April 1, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Walter Scott, band leader, Ely's Combined Shows, 1900. Billboard, June 30, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Mrs. Harriett Jane Searles died at her home in Denver, Col., June 12, age 79. Mrs. Searles was a circus performer for many years, professionally known as Mlle. Zoe Zeonetti. She and her husband, A. H. Searles, who survives her, were internationally known for their daring aerial peformances, billed as the Atmospheric Stard. Mrs. Searles was a native of Jackson, Mich., born in that city in 1839. She and Mr. Searles have been retired for the past 31 years. Billboard, June 29, 1918, p. 86. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Glenn Sears, who traveled with Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus for several years, and Alieen Tracy, of Chattanooga, Tenn., were married July 6. Sears is stationed at Camp Fort. Oglethorpe, Ga. Billboard, August 10, 1918, p. 22. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Romeo Sebastian, the celebrated equestrian, who for the last twelve years has been traveling through Europe, sailed from London on March 2 for this city, 1894. [New York] New York Clipper, April 7, 1894, p. 68.
Chevalier Romeo Sebastian, one of the greates bareback riders of his time, died in Victoria, British Columbia, February 3. The Chevalier is possibly the only showman with a title, and during his career appeared before all the crowned heads of the world. In later years he became trainer for the Great Patterson Shows, Lucky Bill's Shows, and at the time of his death was with the Buller Bros. Shows. Billboard, February 8, 1919, p. 67.
Romeo Sebastian, a great performer and trainer of domestic animals, was laid to rest in the Catholic Cemetery at Paola, Kan. Showmen, at the request of the deceased, brought the body almost across the continent to lay it beside in the same cemetery that held the remains of his beloved wife. Mr. Sebastian died at Vancouver, B.C., where he had been employed by Robert M. Buller, owner of the Buller Dog and Pony Show. Billboard, February 22, 1919, p. 31.
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Frank Seigear was assistant trainmaster on the 101 Ranch Wild West Show. Later he was trainmaster of that show, Sells-Floto, Hagenbeck-Wallace and other shows out of Peru, Indiana. His last position was with the Al & Hattie Wagner's carnival Calvacade of Amusements. Died November 6, 1977 at Moberly, Missouri, age 93. Circus Report, December 19, 1977, p. 25. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Charles Seldman was a contracting agent for a number of circuses, including Beatty-Cole. Died December 17, 1975 at Springfield, Ohio, age 82. Circus Report, March 15, 1976, p. 4A. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Harry Sells. While in Cincinnati on Monday of this week, Jerry Mugivan, of the John Robinson Shows, signed up Harry Sells to handle the canvas on the 10 Big this season. Billboard, February 2, 1918, p. 65. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Chris Seltz (Seitz?), educated elephants, Great Floto Shows, 1905. Galveston (TX) Daily News, March 28, 1905. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Harry W. Semon, well known in theatrical and circus life, died on Saturday, July 16 [1904] at Oelwein, Ia., after a ten day's illness. Death was caused by a carbuncle, bringing on blood poisoning. Mr. Semon was general agent for Campbell Brothers' Circus, and was taken ill while engaged in his duties. The illness at first was not considered serious, but he sank rapidly after an operation, his death being entirely unexpected. His wife, Julia Semon, reached his bedside a few hours before his death, and at once arranged to have the body taken to Kalamazoo, Mich., where interment was made on July __. Mr. Semon was forty-two years old, and entered the profession in 1878, when a mere boy, with the John Robinson Show. In 1881 he was with the Adam Forepaugh Shows, as contracting agent, assisting his father, S. H. Semon. Since that time he has been engaged with numerous enterprises, having for many years his own theatrical companies on the road during the winter, and being connected with circuses in the summer. He acted as a general agent for many tented enterprises. His wife and three children survive him. The latter are performers, being known as the Three Semons. Mr. Semon's father is well known as the contracting agent for the Forepaugh-Sells Brothers' Circus, having been engaged with that show for many years. New York Clipper, July 30, 1904, P. 523. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
M. C. Service, formerly car manager with the John Robinson 10 Big Shows, has purchased a moving picture show at Newport, Ky. Billboard, December 21, 1912, p. 38. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Estelle Settler, rider, Norris & Rowe, 1905. Daily Nevada State Journal (Reno, NV), April 18, 1905. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Charles Sewell, bill poster, Cooper & Co., 1900. Billboard, August 18, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Charles Shannon, Shorty the Clown, was with several shows, including Ringling-Barnum. Died September 16, 1973 at Greenfield, Massachusetts. Circus Report, October 15, 1973, p. 7. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Hank Shaw, veteran boss canvasman with Sells Bros. show when it was on wagons, is getting quite aged and badly crippled. He is at the County Home, Bellefontaine, Ohio. Billboard, November 2, 1918, p. 27. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Lottie Shaw, menage, wild west rider, Hagenbeck-Wallace 1924. White Tops, Vol. 16, Nos. 3-4 (Feb-Mar), 1943, p. 7. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Comments: She performed as an aerialist, gripping a mouthpiece and spinning in the air. She also rode with the Tom Mix Wild West Shows and was in his first movie. I have her hat that was the first match for Tom's. She gave it to me in El Paso, TX, when I was a girl, because she asked me to wear it in the Sun Bowl Parade, so she could see it in one more parade. Later she gave it to me to keep. It is not in the best of shape anymore, but not too bad. My father worked with her at the Cowboy Park (the Sherrif's Posse Grounds) in El Paso. Do you know where and when she died? I have been looking, but can't find it. Jo. L. Wiggins.
Comments: (Charlotte Mather Collier Shaw) “Lottie Shaw” was my maternal great aunt, the sister of my mother’s father, Herbert Collier. She died January 14, 1968 in Wakefield, Massachusetts and is buried at Pine Grove Cemetery, Lynn, Massachusetts. (photo & info at www.FindAGrave.com) I would love to hear from anyone who knew anything about Lottie Shaw's life, especially from the lady (or her family) who inquired about Lottie’s death and was given Lottie’s matching Tom Mix hat as a young girl. Gail Cunningham
Barney Shay, clown, Harris' Nickel Plate Shows, 1900. Billboard, May 21, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Rev. William H. Sheak (1866-1956), show chaplin, John Robinson's show, 1903, 1905; lectures in menagerie and holds religious services, combines a vocation for zoology by lecturing on wild animals in a tent during the week and holding religious services there on Sunday, from Peru, Indiana, Barnum & Bailey, 1904.(1) 1905: "Fairfield, Ill., Aug. 31. - While performing a marriage ceremony in an aerial whirl going at a rate of twenty-five miles an hour at a circus here, Rev. William Sheak, of Peru, Ill., lost his balance and fell to the ground, breaking his right arm. . . . the injured preacher was able to complete the ceremony. The couple being married in this novel way in response from the manager of the circus was James French of Kansas City, Mo., and Miss Irene Stroder, of Dayton, O. The injured preacher declares that he will sue the owner of the circus for $5,000 damages."(2) William S. Sheak, minister of the United Bretheren faith, chaplain and zoologist with Ringling Bros., 1906; "With the advent of spring the old fever came back again and I have joined the Ringling show in my capacity of zoologist and chaplain. This work is a new thing, an experiment, with the Ringling Brothers, and I am here on trial only, but hope to make a success of it, as I did with Robinson and Barnum & Bailey. I have now reached the height of my ambition, so far as circuses are concerned. I have always wanted to get with this menagerie, as it is the largest traveling. . . ."(3)
1916: "Peru, Ind., April 25. — For the second time in the history of his ministerial career, the Rev. William H. Sheak, of the United Brethren denomination, will drop pastoral duties for a circus. Mr. Sheak has signed a contract to become the treasurer of the Alderfer shows, which leave here next Saturday night. The aggregation, which is now four years old, has been growing since its first season and now it is classed as one of the largest overland shows in the business. Mr. Sheak will, besides handling the money, lecture in the menagerie tent before each performance. He also has made arrangements with the management of the shows to hold religious services in the tent each Sunday afternoon, and the people of the town where the show may be will be invited to join with the show people in the services. Several years ago Mr. Sheak joined the Barnum & Bailey circus as a lecturer and spiritual, adviser. Later he was with the John Robinson shows in the same capacity until his health failed, and then he went to the mountains, where he remained for many months."(4) Sheak published articles on the circus and natural history: "The Elephant in Captivity," "Circus Scares," and "Anthropoid Apes I Have Known"; his knowledge of performing animals was cited by the famous Robert Yerkes.(5)
"PERU, Ind. — Services for William H. Sheak, 94, were held Thursday at Philadelphia. The body was to be cremated and the ashes are being sent here for interment in Mount Hope cemetery. He died Tuesday at Philadelphia. An ordained United Brethren minister, he was a doctor of ornithology and toured with the Hagenbeck-Wallace circus, as well as other circuses, furthering his knowledge of zoology and ornithology. He taught ornithology in the Philadelphia schools before retiring several years ago. Survivors are a brother, a sister and a niece, Mrs. Martin Lanahan, Route 1, Peru. His wife, the former Myrtle Miller, died June 5, 1944, and a son, Myer N., was killed in action in World War I. The Allen mortuary is in charge of arrangements."(6) Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
According to Doc Waddell, William Sheak was with the Edwards' Zoo in 1910. SPAN CLASS="note">(7) All information should be checked with additional sources
1. Fort Wayne (IN) Journal-Gazette, March 10, 1904; Butler County Democrat (Hamilton, OH), March 31, 1904; Elyria (OH) Chronical, March 25, 1904; Democratic Standard (Coshocton, OH), April 21, 1905; Van Wert (OH) Daily Bulletin, July 26, 1905.
2. La Crosse (WI) Tribune, August 31, 1905.
3. Fort Wayne (IN) Sentinel, April 17, 1906; http://peruthenandnow.blogspot.com/2006_03_12_archive.html
4. Kokomo (IN) Tribune, April 25, 1916.
5. Sheak, W. Henry, "The Elephant in Captivity," Natural History, September-October 1922; Sheak, W. Henry, "Circus Scares," Open Road for Boys Magazine, July 1935, cover story; Smuts, Barbara, Natural History, Dec., 2000; Robert M. Yerkes, Margaret Sykes Child, Quarterly Review of Biology, Vol. 2, No. 1 (Mar., 1927), pp. 37-57.
6. Logansport (IN) Pharos-Tribune, March 23, 1956.
7. Billboard, July 9, 1910, p. 10.
Harry Sheetz, well known in circus circles from his connection with Forepaugh & O'Brien, has recently opened a saloon in Philadelphia. New York Clipper, May 12, 1877, p. 55. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Jess Shellcroft, who has charge of the paper on the No. 2 car of the Ringling Show during the summer season, is advertising agent of the Court Theater at Wheeling, W. Va. this winter. Billboard, February 23, 1918, p. 29. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Herbert L. Shellhammer, clown, claimed to be the original Bozo. He was known as Zeka B. Lamont when he was with Barnum & Bailey, Al G. Barnes, Sparks, James M. Cole and Lewis Bros. circuses. Was also on radio as Grandpappy Sears in Cincinnati. Died at Findlay, Ohio circa 1980-81. Circus Report, March 2, 1981, p. 21. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Rollin Sherbondy was a drummer with Ringling-Barnum for 15 years. He also played with the Holton Elkhart Band and retired in 1968 from the Frank Holton & Co., a band instrument factory. He died in 1974 at Albany, Wisconsin, age 72. Circus Report, January 20, 1975, p. 2. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Chester Sherman, clown, began just as WWI started. He toured with old circuses, such as Yankee Robinson. In later years he was with Polack Bros., Wm. Kay, Clyde Bros. and others. Died November 4, 1976 at Bellevue, Kentucky, age 82. Circus Report, November 15, 1976, p. 15. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Joseph Sherry, clown, John H. Sparks, 1910. Correctionville (IA) News, June 9, 1910. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
William Sherry, musician, Dode Fisk's circus, 1910. Marshfield (WI) Times, May 18, 1910. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Phil Joseph Shevette was listed twice in the Guiness Book of World Records as a bar performer. His career began before 1916 as a trapeze artist, his original flying act consisted of his two brothers, Frank and Zenoble and Claude Newell. The troupe performed in Russia for four years as the Orloff Troupe, where Phil perfected this triple somersault to catch. Zenoble died from a fall, and Frank was killed in Cuba. Born in Quebec in 1873, died December 29, 1952, buried at Saginaw, Michigan. Circus Report, July 11, 1983, pp. 30-31. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Earl Shipley, clown, Hagenbeck-Wallace 1924. White Tops, Vol. 16, Nos. 3-4 (Feb-Mar), 1943, p. 7. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Edwin Shipp, Shipp's Indoor Circus. 1903(1): Shipp, an old performer, now in management. Began in 1879 with Harry G. Lambkin's vaudeville company. Was with Cooper & Jackson's circus and menagerie 1881-1883. In 1882 show went to Texas, Mexico. The next three years toured West Indies and Isthmus of Panama. Also visited British and Dutch Guiana and Venezula. In 1891 and 1892 was with Orrin Brother's circus in Mexico. Was with Ringling Bros. shows four fourteen years in the early years when they traveled by wagon. Shipps did a jockey act and a bareback rider. Was assistant equestrian manager for Ringling Bros. for several years. The coming season will be with Forepaugh-Sells as equestrian manager. Mrs. Shipp, known professionally by her maiden name, Julia Lowande. Shipp's Indoor Circus was organized at Petersburg, Illinois in 1883. Harry Lambkin was a rider from Petersburg.
Shipp with Sells Bros., 1903; 1905: Shipp's Indoor Circus, 1905; equestrian director, Forepaugh-Sells, 1905; equestrian director, past few years with Forepaugh-Sells, with Ringling Bros. before Forepaugh-Sells, with Barnum & Bailey, 1910.(2) 1905: Billboard noted that Ed Shipp has an offer from a theatrical syndicate to make the Indoor Circus an all-the-year-round affair, playing parks and places of that class in the big cities.(3) All information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
1. Cedar Rapids (IA) Sunday Republican, February 1, 1903; Cedar Rapids (IA) Evening Gazette, January 30, 1901.
2. Ottumwa (IA) Daily Courier, July 27, 1903; Daily Review (Decatur, IA), January 7, 1905; Hamilton (OH) Sun, April 26, 1905; Van Wert (OH) Daily Bulletin, July 11, 1910.
3. Daily Review (Decatur, IA), January 29, 1905.
Andy Showers and his troupe of performing dogs and monkeys, has a few open dates. [Advertisement] New York Clipper, January 6, 1877, p. 323. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Carrie Showers, "Lyons, June 1 - issued a marriage license yesterday to Tan Araki (Arakis?) of Nuga??, Japan and Miss Carrie Showers, dau. of Andrew Showers of this village. Both performers with Haag circus. Araki manager of Japanese performers. Miss Showers a slack wire artist." Post Standard (Syracuse, NY), June 2, 1910. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Charley Shultz was a clown with Hagen Bros. Circus, then worked rodeos and roundups. He also toured with the 101 Ranch Wild Est, Pawnee Bill's Show and Tex Ritter's Circus. His daughter, Norma Ward, was a trick roper and she and her family were the Ward Family of Trick Ropers. Circus Report, January 13, 1986, n.p.n. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Si Hassan Ben Ali Troupe. Arab acrobats, pyramid builders, swordsmen, etc. At the head of the troupe of Arabs, whose curious and barbaric feats of strength and agility have delighted the Ringling Bros.’ millions of patrons during the season of 1893, is Si Hassan Ben Ali. He is a native of Agades, a city in the Province of Tawarek, on the Desert of Sahara. He is a devout Mohammedan, a world-wide traveler, and the master of seven different languages. He is designated in the picture by the number 7. No. 6, expert swordsman and under-stander for the pyramids, has the Oriental name of Salleen Nassar. He is a native of Ajdad, Arabia. No. 5, Fredo Hadji, acrobat, native of Tangier. No 8, Kablen Dahdooh, a native Bedouin from the village of Sabba. No. 9, Abraham Hen Hamo, native of Bameide, Morocco. No. 1, Ben Sahib, native of the Province of Najo, Arabia. No. 2, Solayman Ben Damod, from Murzuk, Fezzan, North Central Africa. No. 3, Saad Kablen Dahdooh, native Bedouin from the village of Subba. No. 4, Stamato Kolema, a Berber. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. All information should be checked with additional sources. Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Peter Howard Siebrand took control of the Siebrand Bros. Circus & Carnival in 1965 and operated it until 1972. He was past president and director of the Arizona Showman's Association. Died November 1, 1984 at Phoenix, Arizona, age 61. Circus Report, January 7, 1985, p. 25. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
August Siegrist
Notice to circus managers. August Siegrist and Thomas Watson and wife, now at the Tivoli Theatre, are prepared to negotiate for the tenting season. Our acts are as follows, viz.: horizontal bar, brothers, la perche, and tumbling and leaping; Mlle Marie, balancing trapeze. Ladies go in entree and concert. Address Siegrist & Watson, No. 14, East Eighth street, N.Y. [Advertisment] New York Clipper, January 27, 1877, p. 347. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Butch Siegrist, see Francis Edward Brann.
Charles Siegrist, real name Charles Patterson, adopted son of Charles Lee, owner of the Lee Circus; Siegrist first appeared on the Ringling lot in 1898 with the Siegrist-Selbon Aerial Troupe. While doing a flying stunt in Madison Square Garden in 1930, Siegrist fell. He hit the edge of the safety net and broke his neck. Orthopedic specialists agreed he would never "fly" again, but five months later he rejoined the show and was still aloft at age 72. Towanda Review, August 7, 1963.
Siegrist, equestrian, also gymnast & trapeze, with Sells-Floto, 1907-1908; equestrian, Barnum & Bailey, 1911-1912. Turned at least ten backward and forward somersaults on the back of a galloping horse in 1907. 1916 interview: has been with Barnum & Bailey for more than 17 years; wife is his catcher; Charles born Portland, Oregon, is age 36. A vaudeville acrobat, Joe Adams, saw Charlie at age 9. Charles later traveled with Adams and learned many difficult tricks from him. Seventeen years ago joined Barnum & Bailey. For last six years has had his own troupe of aerialists with the show, the Siegrist troupe. Galveston (TX) Daily News, September 24, 1907; Eau Claire (WI) Leader, June 27, 1911; Evening News (Ada, OK), September 22, 1908; Fort Wayne (IN) Sentinel, July 22, 1912; Lima (OH) Times Democrat, July 10, 1916. All information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Sierras, composed of Bill Greenman, his wife Melanie, and Doug Mishler. All are graduates of Florida State University's Flying High Circus. They performed a unique 3-lane cradle as they hung by their knees and swung Melanie through leaps, spins, dislocates and trapeze turns. Their final act was a Three Man Hang. Doug acted as coach and partner for the 3-lane practices. The Sierras also did slack wire, cloud swing and comedy juggling. They designed and built their own rigging for the 3-lane, cloud swing and slack wire acts. Their home during the circus was an old school bus that they converted into a mobile home. Southern Sawdust, No. 87, May, 1976, pp. 9-10. All information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Toto Siegrist.
Wanted, experienced catcher for flying return act. Also lady leapers. Siegrist & Silbon Troupe. Address Toto Siegrist, manager, care N.Y. Office, Billboard. [Advertisement, 1918] Billboard, January 12, 1918, p. 67.
Circus people now in the carnival business, 1918: Toto Siegrist, of the Siegrist-Silbon aerial troupe, with the Williams Standard. Billboard, June 8, 1918, p. 27.
1918: Toto Siegrist, in addition to looking after the interests of the Siegrist-Silbon Aerial Act, which has been re-engaged for the Ringling Brothers-Barnum & Bailey Shows, is building a carnival show which will take the road early in the Spring. Billboard, December 14, 1918, p. 28.
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Charles Silbon
1887: Hard and Easy Gymnastics. An interview which C. Silbon suffered not long ago. The fearless trapezist and his little assistant, Eddie Silbon, were inveigled into revealing some interesting points, which we reprint from The Sun:
"There is a way of making a turn and a half
look like a double somersault in the air. The performer, just as he lets go the trapeze, throws his legs up ahead of him. Then he brings them down and backward, and makes one complete forward somersault. To the audience it looks like a double turn. The difficulty in the real double somersault is in knowing where you are all the time. Eddie seems to have a natural faculty of keeping his head, no matter how many turns he makes, and knowing just where he is and what he is doing. Once, in a theatre, a supporting wire broke just as he was leaving a fixed bar near the ceiling to shoot down head-foremost to me. He had no firm footing to leap from, and, of course, he was bound to fall short. He realized the situation instantly, ducked his head, made half a turn in the air, and came down in the net on his back. If he had
struck head first in the net he might have broken his neck. The net is a great safeguard, and no amount of money would induce me to go through a flying trapzes act without one; but you must fall into it right if you do fall, or you may get badly hurt. The boy used to make five turns in the air from the bar to the net, but he was liable to fall wrong, and so I put a stop to it.
"I tell vou these thing to show that, although the flying trapeze act looks as if it were done in an off-hand manner, it really requires the closest attention and most perfect execution. My part of it you might call brute strength, but that is not all of it. The time must be just right, and that is what I have to look out for. Nerve and confidence as well as muscular strength are requisite, of course, but the secret of aerial gymnastics is in time and calculation. When I put up a trapeze I take measurements of the place and calculate the length of swing, the arc and the distance to half an inch. If a man leaves the trapeze
at the end of his swing he will not be thrown forward at all. At a certain point in the path of the pendulum, with ropes of a certain length, the man gets an impulse that will carry him forward twenty-five feet. The impulse varies with the position of the trapeze when the hold is released. If the bars are so far apart the length of the ropes can be calculated exactly. I lay them all out, see that everything is secure and right, and then go on
at night, without having tried the apparatus, certain that the act will be just as it should be. So much swing will propel a man just so far. That is all a matter of calculation. Then the point to be looked after is the exact moment at which the hold should be released. When I give the word the other man lets go, and a miss never occurs. It took a long time to find the right moment in the double somersault act. We tried it every day for a great while, and always just missed. At last I thought I had worked out the puzzle, and told Eddie to wait for the word. He had been leaving an instant too soon, and of course missed the catch. I gave the word just a trifle later. He made the two turns and caught exactly right, and
from that day he has been doing it without a miss.
"One of tne easiest things that looks difficult and makes a crowd hold its breath is one performer hanging head downward with his toes just caught over the toes of the other man. The upper man must have strength in the thighs to hold the weight, but the rest of it is merely keeping the ankles stiff and the toes turned up a little. Any fairly good gymnast ought to do it without much trouble, but to the uninitiated it looks like a great achievement, and consequently is a good show trick. When I say easy, I mean to a trained gymnast who is accustomed to the apparatus, not easy to anybody and everybody. The muscles, no matter how strong, must be accustomed to that kind of work. I know a man who can put up with one hand a dum-bell that I can just get up with ___. He is a strong man, and a good all-round athlete. He went opon the trapeze once and tried my act of catching, while hanging from the bar, the performer who makes the flying-leap. He did it, but when became down he said his shoulders were nearly pulled out of joint, and he wouldn't try it again for anything. His muscles were not accustomed to that sudden strain. When I do not
make tbe catch exactly right or a trifle out of time the strain is something fearful. It is like a sudden blow, and seems to paralyze my shoulder, but I have to keep my grasp just the same. Frequently I have to doctor my shoulder and ___ by holding them under a stream of cold water. That treatment, and rubbing them with oil, is about the extent of my doctoring. I have been in the business ever since I was sixteen years old, and my general health is perfect. That seems to refute the notion that circus performers break down early and die young.
"Another trick that is more showy than difficult is the sudden drop, in which one performer slips head downward past the other, catching his body with his legs, or is caught by the ankles. When it is done deliberately, as most of them do it, there is nothing hard about it. When done very quickly, however, there is some chance of a ___. Amateurs can learn it with commparatively little practice. Such acts as the flying leap, however, are not to be recommended for gymnasts who are not obliged to get their living by risking their lives.
"The horizontal bar affords more opportunities than the trapeze for the amateur gymnast to distinguish himself. Two partners using a pair of bars can give a very pretty exhibition without really being artistic performers. It is like swinging the clubs. A few simple movements can be combined to make a bewildering and apparently complicated movement. The giant swing, which is whirling around tbe bar at full arm's length, like a spoke around tbe hub, is a very easy trick that any amateur can do. The turn and a half from the bar, landing on the feet, also is easy. Let two men get on the bar and combine these movements, and they can make a great show. A trick on the the bar that made quite a sensation in England when it was first shown there by an American consists in letting go the bar while in full swing, striking the other bar with the soles of the feet and grasping it with the hands at the same instant. It is very effective, but the man who is pretty limber and active can do it without as much trouble as one would think. If he gets swing enough to reach the bar with his feet the rest is simple, providing always that he is accurate in his movements.
"Leaving the bar at the end of the swing, turning half round in the air so as to face it, and catching it again, is as easy as lying. Anybody can do it. But making two complete pirouettes in the air, catching the bar, and continuing the swing, is a different affair. I have seen only one man who can do that and not disturb the rhythm of the swing. Several can make the pirouettes, but they get out of time and break the pendulum movement. If you don't think this requires practice, just jump straight up in the air and turn completely around like a top and come down facing the same way as when you jumped. Then try to turn around twice, and see if you know which way you are facing wben you come down. To do this from the bar and resume the swing in perfect time is an artistic piece of work, and it is effective as
an exhibition feat also. The beauty of it can be appreciated by everybody." New York Clipper, June 4, 1887, p. 188.
1904: One of the things that puzzle the uninitiated is the large number of boys in the Barnum & Bailey circus that impersonate girls and the almost equally large number of young women that play the role of boy in the arena. One of the most striking and pretty girls in the Imperial Viennese troupe of mid-air vaulters is Charles Silbon, a manly Englishman of sixteen. In street costume young Silbon would never pass for an impersonator of the opposite sex, but in his wardrobe his makeup is so good that only one who has a hint of the act can penetrate his disguise. Silbon became a female Impersonator in an interesting way. One of the young women in the company fell from a trapeze and was badly injured. It was impossible to obtain a woman substitute on short notice, and Silbon volunteered to make up as a girl and take her place. The offer was accepted, with some misgivings, but the boy made a hit, and has continued to appear as a "girl" in the act. Indianapolis News (Indianapolis, IN), July 9, 1904.
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Eugenie Silbon. In suburban Albany, California, overlooking San Francisco bay, there lives quietly and unpretentiously, a lovely lady who spent 37 years as a member of one of the most famous aerial acts of circusdom, acclaimed throughout Europe and starred in the arenas of America's largest big top aggregations.
Neighbors who chat with her in the corner grocery or exchange pleasantries across the hedge, must stretch their imaginations, to visualize this soft-spoken gray-haired matron of 71 as a catcher in a high trapeze act, apparently effortless in her skill and strength as male and female aerialists came zooming through space in such evolutions as double and two and one-half somersaults, to land safely in her grip.
But these same neighbors recall vividly that time did not dim the romance of Eugenie and Eddie Silbon, who remained sweethearts more than half a century, from the day of their marriage in Guatemala City in 1894, until his passing some two years ago. And they recognize in the handsome features of Mrs. Silbon, the qualities of beauty which caused her to be cast in the feminine leads of circus spectacles of Barnum & Bailey's Greatest Show on Earth for more than a decade in the early 1900's.
Eugenie Althea was born almost within sight of her present home in San Francisco February 15, 1879. She was a granddaughter of Etien Guinde, well known French opera singer, and she made her debut on the stage early in childhood as an actress with the Morosco Stock Company in her home town. When she was 14, she and an older sister, Cecile, were appearing in a dancing and singing act in vaudeville and it was during such an engagement that handsome young Eddie Silbon first saw her perform.
Young Silbon, a native of the seaport city of Hull, England, received his first training as an aerialist in his home town when he was eight, joined the Silbon flying act in Hamburg, Germany, in 1830, and came to this country for the first time in 1882 to join the Adam Forepaugh-Sells Bros. Circus. In 1892, he met Toto Siegrist and they built a rigging for a flying return act, appearing at the World's Fair in Chicago in 1893. In January, 1894, while playing a four weeks' engagement at the Orpheum theatre in San Francisco, they organized a small vaudeville company to play port cities of the west coasts of Mexico and Central America. The company sailed February 9, 1894, and among the 12 members were the Althea sisters.
Three months later, Eugenia Althea became Mrs. Eddie Silbon and the couple returned to the states in 1895, joining a circus at New Orelans. During the winter months that followed, Mrs. Silbon rehearsed a single trapeze act, which she performed above her husband's flying act rigging when the troupe joined the John Robinson and Franklin Brothers Circus for the season of 1896. The following winter they toured Venezuela and returned to America in the spring of 1897 to go on tour with Forepaugh-Sells Bros, but they remained only part of the season, returning to the John Robinson show.
On January 1, 1898, the troupe sailed for England and played the island kingdom and France, joining the Barnum & Bailey Circus for the first time at the Olympia in London in December. In 1899, they were featured in the Cirque Royal in Brussels and in 1900 returned to the Barnum & Bailey Circus with a seven-people act.
Silbon and Siegrist started as partners in a two-people flying act but from time to time varied their rigging and routine. They added a single trapeze above the flying rigging on which Mrs. Silbon performed and later this was increased to a double and finally a triple trapeze rigging.
When the Silbon-Siegrist troupe returned to the United States in 1903, they were featured in the center ring of the Barnum & Bailey Circus with nine performers in the act. They used two catchers, one of whom was Mrs. Silbon. The catchers were in the center of the double rigging, facing opposite directions. There were pedestals at each end of the exceptionally long rigging and leapers flew towards each other to the catchers. The act was billed as the Imperial Viennese Troupe. During the 1916-17 seasons, the troupe built a rigging in the shape of a giant Maltese cross, with leapers passing each other at right angles in mid-air on their flights to the catchers and 14 persons participated in this, the largest troupe ever seen on a flying act rigging.
The Silbon-Siegrist troupe, although changing personnel from time to time, remained with the Barnum & Bailey Circus until its merger with the Ringling Brothers Circus at the end of the 1919 season, continuing with the combined Ringling Bros. & Barnum & Bailey Circus through the 1931 season. Thus the troupe spent 34 consecutive years with one circus - a record unequalled by another feature act in the history of the circus in America.
But Mrs. Silbon did not confine her circus work to the flying trapeze. In 1903 when the Barnum & Bailey Circus returned to the United States from its triumphant five-year tour of Europe, Mrs. Silbon was selected for the role of the queen of Sheba, in the gorgeous opening spectacle, "Balkus or the Queen of Sheba." She continued playing leading roles in the circus spectacles through the 1913 season, when she was Cleopatra in the pageant of that title.
In 1906, Mrs. Silbon's cousin, Emily Hedder, joined the flying act, and when the so-called "iron jaw" or teeth acts were introduced in the circus, Mrs. Silbon, her cousin, Emily, and another young woman in the flying act, Marion Bordner, formed a trio. Billed sometimes as the Silbon Sisters and on other occasions as The Eugenies, the women wore butterfly serpentines while suspended by their teeth from a revolving aerial rigging.
During the long period of time with the No. 1 circus of America, the Silbons and their acts played numerous winter engagements here and abroad. They had their own circus in Hawaii during the winter of 1911-12 and were with Mills Olympia Circus, England's largest, during the winter of 1920-21. Other years, they appeared in Shrine Circuses and some winter seasons they laid off to perfect new tricks and routines and to build new rigging.
In 1930, Eddie Silbon suffered a heart attack during the Madison Square Garden engagement of the circus and he did not continue that season with the act. He returned
in 1931, however, to manage the troupe, traveling with the show while Mrs. Silbon remained as a performer. At the close of the 1931 season, the couple retired to the comparative quiet of North Hollywood, Calif., where they bought a home. After four years, however, they moved to Albany, a suburb of Berkeley, where they owned valuable income properties and which Mrs. Silbon has looked after since her husband's death.
The Silbons did not lose interest in circuses upon their retirement, however. They never missed a show which came to the San Francisco area, and they often motored to neighboring cities and towns to visit circuses and relive their happy experiences under the big top in other years.
Mrs. Silbon says, however, "There is nothing new in the circus today." To be sure, there are new ways of presenting acts, but the most sensational of present-day turns are to be found in old programs which Mrs. Silbon has saved as mementoes of her trouping years. And she points out that for lack of top acts, the circus today intersperses dancing and singing spectacles peopled by pretty girls, in the program. Mrs. Silbon insists there is no circus today which approaches the Barnum & Bailey show from 1898 to 1902, with which she and her husband traveled throughout Europe. "Three rings and five stages," she recalls, "and something doing in each of them throughout the show." And she believes no closing act of today is as thrilling as the hippodrome races with their jockey, Roman standing and chariot races.
To interview Mrs. Silbon about her accomplishments in the circus arena is difficult because she concludes every answer to a question with mention of her husband's great accomplishments in the circus field. There is no doubt but that Mrs. Silbon considers her husband the greatest aerialist the circus world has ever known. And many circus enthusiasts concur with her in this belief. - A. Morton Smith, "Circus Stars of Yesteryears, Eugenie Silbon" Hobbies, July 1950, pp. 24-25. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Walter Silbon, a well known aerialist, died at his home in Hull, Eng., on July 24 [1903], from the result of injuries received last October. Born in Hull, in February 1865, at five years of age young Walter Silbon joined his brother and sister, with whom he toured Europe in 1882, appearing in all the chief places of amusement. During this year the troupe was engaged by the Forepaugh Shows, and introduced the first big aerial performance in America. At the close of the engagement in America, the Silbons toured Australia, and on the way home the elder brother, Corney Silbon, died of yellow fever. In 1891 Walter took over the management of the Silbon troupe, joining the Barnum & Bailey Show, with which organization he remained until the close of last season. His sister, Kate Silbon, wife of Tom Herbert, of the Herberts, aerial performers, is still with the Barnum & Bailey Show. New York Clipper, August 22, 1903. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Wilhelmina Sils (or Sills) was Cimse, of Cimse's Russian Wolfhounds and Pomeranians act. Deid December 9, 1984 at Cleveland, Ohio. Circus Report, February 4, 1985, p. 33. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Silverton. Carlosa and Silverton, tight wire, ladders, Frank A. Robbins, 1906-1907. Portsmouth (NH) Herald, June 6, 1907; Bandwagon, Nov-Dec, 2001, pp. 30, 33. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Ruth I. Simmons was a trapeze performer for 45 years, performing with Shrine circuses as "Peaches O'Neill." Died April 9, 1984 at Osprey, Florida, age 74. Circus Report, April 30, 1984, p. 29. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Joe Simpson, "Smokie," was an animal man with Robbins Bros., Parker & Watts, Cole-Walters and Famous Cole circuses. Died January 13, 1982, buried at Showman's Rest, Hugo, Oklahoma. Circus Report, March 29, 1982, p. 25. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Mary Louise Simpson, known as Boots Salle, was a stunt rider with Ken Maynard and Hoot Gibson, and appeared with the Tom Mix Circus. Died in January 1985 at Jacksonville, Florida, age 74. Circus Report, February 25, 1985, p. 19. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
W. J. Simpson, circus agent, we are informed, has been ill in Pittsburg, Pa., for the past month. He is suffering from paralysis of his limbs, and is unable to walk. He is without friends there, and his means are exhausted. New York Clipper, February 16, 1878, p. 375. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Noble Sims worked concessions and the front door on Walalce Bros., King-Cristiani, Sells & Gray, Clyde Beatty and other show. Died April 28, 1987 at Sarasota, Florida, age 78. Circus Report, July 13, 1987, p. 17. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Bruce Sinclair, Norris & Rowe, 1905. Daily Nevada State Journal (Reno, NV), April 14, 1905.. See Belfords. Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Doley Sinclair, for some time connected with Van Amburgh & Co.'s Great Golden Menagerie, died at his home in Clinton, N.J., March 11, 1876. This information has just been sent by O. P. Wall of Scranton, Pa. It is possible that he intended to have written 1877. New York Clipper, April 21, 1877, p. 31. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Edith Sinclair, Norris & Rowe, 1905. Woodland (CA) Daily Democrat, April 11, 1905. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Mrs. W. E. Sinnott, of the Yankee Robinson Show, was Eloise Lenard(?) of Boston, Mass., before her marriage. Both Mr. and Mrs. Sinnott will be with the Yank show again this year, their fifteenth season there. Billboard, April 13, 1918, p. 29. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Charles O. Sipe, barber, Sells-Floto, 1909. Anaconda (MT) Standard, Friday, July 16, 1909. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Charles Sivalls, railroad contractor, Buffalo Bill Shows, 1900. Took over from Mike Coyle. Sivalls' bill posting plant is at Houston, Texas. Billboard, June 2, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Joe Skerbeck, of the Skerbeck Family of acrobats, is at Dorchester, Wis., for the winter. Billboard, February 9, 1918, p. 31. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
George Sloman, who with Ed Buckley is proprietor of concert, candy stand and reserved seat privileges with Burr Robbins' Circus and Menagerie, was taken ill in Findley, O., the latter part of June, and was removed to his home in Delavan, Wis. He hopes to rejoin the show about July 23. New York Clipper, July 21, 1877, p. 134. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
L. C. Sloman, excursion brigade, Ringling Bros., 1900. Billboard, June 30, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
William Sloman, contracting agent, Buckskin bill's Wild West. Billboard, May 21, 1900, p. 5. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Mr. Smith, show's detective, John Robinson's, 1911. Alton (IL) Evening Telegram, May 11, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Avery Smith. The Times of yesterday contained a report of the funeral of the late Avery Smith, the well-known circus proprietor whose death occurred on Tuesday last, after a protracted illness, at his residence in Newark, N. J. The prominent public live of this man deserves more than a passing notice, as he was probably one of the best managers of the circus business in his generation. Mr. Smith was born in North Salem, Westchester County, N. Y., in February, 1814, and was consequently 62 years of age. His father was a showman before him, as were also his uncles, and the youthful Avery sniffed the smell of sawdust and had his eyes dazzled by spangles from his earliest infancy. Unter these circumstances, it was not strange that he inherited a natural proclivity for the fascinations, excitements, and vicissitudes of a showman's life. After finishing his school days, he availed himself of the first opportunity which offered to cut loose from the sugar, molasses, teas, and spices of the grocery business in which his father had placed him, and engaged himself to a travleing circus. He early displayed many of those qualities for which he became more remarkable in after life, but yielding to the solicitations of his family, he once more became a grocer, and his rare business qualifications made him notably successful among persons engaged in the same business, and at the close of a few years he bacme the head of a large wholesale establishment in partnership with William Howes, at the corner of Versey and Greenwich streets. Accumulating quite a fortune, he retired, and invested the bulk of it in the circus business in consouance with the strong predilections which he had always felt for that occupation.
The first establishment with which he was connected was that of Van Amburgh & Co., Van Amburgh having won his first reputation under the management of Mr. Smith's father at the old Zoological Institute in the Bowery. With this company he made the tour of Great Britain and the principal cities of the continent. On his return to America he organized the well-known traveling company of Sands, Nathan & Co., his partners being Richard Sands - sho created so great a sensation through this country and in Engalnd, by his antipodean feat of wlaking across a smooth marble slab head downward - Jared Quick, Lewis June, and John J. Nathans. This establishment was exceedingly popular from Maine to Georgia, and continued traveling every Summer for a number of years. Mr. Smith then engaged the celebrated Franconi, of Paris, to come to htis country, and built the Hippodrom on the former site of "Corporal" Tomson's cottage, on the corner of Twenty-third street and Broadway, where the Fifth Avenue Hotel is now located. At the colose of the season of 1854 this establishment traveled under the management of Mr. Smith, together with another company known as that of June, Nathan & Co. Mr. Smith again visited Europe, and entered into a contract with Seth Howes, by which he obtained control of the novel paraphernalia, "Dragon Chariots," and other vehicles of novel form and gaudy ornamentation which had largeley conducted to the popularity of the circus establishment of Howes & Cushing in Great Britain and on the Continent. With these properties, and others which he had manufactured in America, he started what was known as "The Great European Circus," the firm being Quick & Nathans. This establishment was celebrated more especially for the magnificent street display which made on entering the various towns in which it exhibited; a notable attraction being a large lion, which was drawn through the streets on a gilded platfrom car, loose and unchained, guarded only by his keeper, Crockett. This lion was named "Parker." He first distinguished himself by killing and partyly devouring, two of his keepers, at Astley's Amphitheatre, London, and hs since added to his reputation by killing one or two others in this country, and maiming several more. This "noble brute" is now in transient retirement among the zoological collections at Central Park. A few years ago Mr. Smith dissolved partnership with those with whom he had been connected, and retired from the circus business for a short time, devoting himself to other business pursuits. But "once a showman always a showman," is an adage with which every showman is familiar. Avery Smith was not an exception to the rule, and it was not long before he organized a company and sent it to South America, obtaining as a reward for his enterprise large returns of coffe, logwoods, &c.
His latest enterprise was in conjunction with P. T. Barnum, with whom he joined forces last Winter, and placed the "Great Roman Hippodrome," which lately closed its season at Gilmore's Garden, upon the road last Spring. All of Mr. Smith's ventures in the show business proved successful and he realized therefrom a large fortune, in which his partner shared. He was a man of great shrewdness and solid commercial ability. During his career as showman he made himself a through master of the topography of all parts of the country. He knew every turnpike, neighborhood road, bridge in every county, North, South, East, and West, and the distnces from one town to another, and even the conditions of the ways of travel. Was a bridge a covered one, he could tell its height in the clear, and whether chariots, band wagons, and platform cars could pass under it without unlimbering. Did he send his circus through an agricultural county, he was a well acquainted with the crop prospects there as the farmers themselves; whether the route lay through a manufacturing, mining, coal, or lumber district, he knew its exact condition. In fact, there was very little likely of affect his business with which he was not thoroughly familiar. He advice was always taken by all with whom he was associated, and the greatest confidence was reposed in his judgement. He was regarded as strictly honest in all of his transactions, his word being emphatically "as good as his bond." His judgment was sound, and he was endowed with great shrewdnes. He was liberal and broad in this views, keeping thoroughly up with the times in all matters of progress. He was a firm friend, generous and charitable. None will miss him more than his associates in business. He was taken ill some time ago, but it was not until a short time since that any great anxiety was was felt by his family and friends. The disease from which he suffered, however, made rapid progress, and his death had been hourly expected for several days. He leaves a wife and one son. New York Times, December 31, 1876. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
C. C. Smith operated minstrel shows and circuses. He was on 101 Ranch and other shows of that era. Was an agent and backer for several shows that came out of Hugo, Oklahoma. He last toured with Sells & Gray Circus. Died June 12, 1977, age 78. Circus Report, July 4, 1977, p. 17. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Charles A. Smith, superintendent of menagerie, animal trainer, Ringling Bros., 1908-1910, 1915; wife a famous bareback rider. Decatur (IL) Daily Review, August 17, 1908; New York Times, March 29, 1909; Waterloo (IA) Times-Tribune, July 5, 1910; Fort Wayne (IN) Sentinel, April 29, 1915. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Ed Smith, billposter, Lemon Bros., 1905; probably lived at Chillicothe, Missouri. Chillicothe (MO) Constitution, April 12, 1905. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
George Washington Smith was general manager with Ringling-Barnum, 1930s to 1948. He was general manager for Dailey Bros, and Cylde Beatty Circus in 191. He retired in 1952 after 40 years in managerial positions. Died August 2, 1986 at Sarasota, Florida, age 93. Circus Report, December 1, 1986, p. 26. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Hal Smith, aka Hubert Castle, aka Hal Silvers, was a tight wire performer on a number of circuses. He was with Al G. Barnes, Ringling-Barnum, Polack Bros. and Shrine circuses. For many years he operated his own circus that was later sold to Tarzan Zerbini. Died January 29, 1989 at Newburg, New York, age 76. Circus Report, February 13, 1989, p. 22. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Herman Q. Smith, agent, Norris & Rowe, 1908. Woodland (CA) Daily Democrat, April 14, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Jessie Smith, clown, toured with Elmer Jones, George W. Christy, Sells-Floto and Hagenbeck-Wallace. Married Lee Smith. Died August 23, 1975 at Rochester, New York. Circus Report, September 22, 1975, p. 8. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Kate Smith, iron jaw, resided Maquoketa, Iowa, Gollmar Bros., 1908. Cedar Rapids (IA) Evening Gazette, June 22, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Lee Smith, clown policeman with the Cole Bros.' Shows last season, is living at Newark, N.Y. Billboard, March 2, 1918, p. 33. Lee Smith, mule rider and clown "cop," for the past eight seasons with the Jones Bros. and Cole Bros. Shows, is now in the merchant marine service as chief steward and stationed at New York. Billboard, January 11, 1919, p. 29. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Mark T. Smith was a horse trainer for circuses and films. He trained horses for Bob Steele, Gene Autry, Roy Rogers and others. He joined Al G. Barnes Circus in 1928 and later worked with Arabian horses, trained reindeer, hippos and rhinos for circuses. He had his own show at one time and built an all girl riding act. Died February 21, 1985 at Burbank, California, age 83. Circus Report, June 17, 1985, p. 8. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Morton Smith. A. Morton Smith of Gainesville died on April 8th at Gainesville. He was a native son having been born in Gainesville in 1903. He was, at the time of his death, editor of the Gainesville Register. Burial was in Gainesville, and C. H. S. was represented by Wm. T. Randolph. He is survived by his wife and two sons. The following is reprinted from the Gainesville Daily Register.
When Morton Smith was a lad in short trousers, he displayed a love for the circus, although then never having witnessed such a tented organization. With childish ingenuity, he erected a tiny "big top" under which were a few animal toys. Neighborhood children paid admission with buttons, marbles, etc. As he grew older, the circus become one of the interesting phases of his leisure hours. It was not surprising, therefore, when in 1924, in cooperation with seven other young men he founded the Gainesville Little theatre and out of it grew the Little Theatre Mammoth Three-Ring circus in 1929, that become the Gainesville Community circus. He was equestrian director and announcer for the circus the first few years, and was program director for the 25 years he was active with the group.
With his uncanny knowledge of circus lore and circus management (although he had never been with a professional show), the home town enterprise was for several years the third largest circus in the nation, exceeded only by Ringling-Barnum and Bailey, and the Clyde Beatty circuses. Gainesville become known in many parts of the English-speaking world because of this unique amateur entertainment and Smith was recognized in a Christmas issue of Billboard magazine, as perhaps the most prolific and authentic writer of circus lore in the United States, it being noted this in spite of no professional experience.
His library of circus posters, programs, books and other historical mementoes of the circus profession, is recognized as among the most complete in the nation. His circus connections prompted him in 1931 to join the Circus Fans of America, an exclusive group limited to 1000 members, devoted to aiding the welfare of the tented enterprises. The association held its annual convention in Gainesville in 1952, on which occasion Smith was elected president. He presided at the 1953 convention in Wichita, Kans. He also was a member of the Circus Historical association. Bandwagon, Vol. 1, May-June, 1957, p. 4. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Prof. Neil Smith, with his school of educated dogs, now at the Theatre Comique, Toledo, O., can be secured for the tenting season. New York Clipper, January 13, 1877, p. 335. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Roy Smith Troupe, revolving trapeze, Sells-Floto, 1911. Oakland (CA) Tribune, April 28 & 30, 1911; Nevada State Journal (Reno, NV), May 18, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Silver Smith, clown. Norris & Rowe 1908. Woodland (CA) Daily Democrat, April 20, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Thomas Smith, an expert tumbler and leaper, whose first season In this country has been spent as one of the arenic celebrities of Ringling’ World’s Greatest Show. He is a native of Liverpool, England, and in his country enjoys great distinction as a circus performer. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Washington Smith, a showman, died in the Bridgeport Hospital, Bridgeport, Conn., May 27(?) [1904]. He was for thirty years a showman, joining Barnum in 1871 as a four horse driver. When his brother, "Bill" Smith, took charge of the stock, he worked for him, but later was assigned to the Barnum & Bailey quarters outside of London. He came back to this country several weeks ago on business connected with the show, and was taken ill on the steamer. On reaching New York he was hurried to Bridgeport, it being ascertained that he was suffering with Bright's disease. He was forty years of age, was born in Delevan, Wis., and single. He leaves two sisters in Milwaukee. His only brother, Bill, was killed with the Barnum & Bailey Show in Germany, and his body brought to Bridgeport. New York Clipper, June 4, 1904, p. 346. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
William Smith, bill poster, Cooper & Co., 1900. Billboard, August 18, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Smiths, flying trapeze, Harris' Nickel Plate Shows, 1900. Billboard, May 21, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
John Snellen. The portrait is a fair representation of our efficient Master of Canvas, Mr. John Snellen. Mr. Snellen possesses great ability in his overseeing of the daily erection and taking down of the enormous city of tents used by the Ringling Bros.’ Show. His executive ability and knowledge of the various details of the work under his charge are most aptly shown in cases of great emergency, such as the severe storms experienced during the first part of this season. Many a blow-down has been averted by the timely and vigorous manner in which he grapples with the elements when they are apparently trying to get the upper hand of “Happy Jack,” as he is affectionately called by the army of employees in his department. Mr. Snellen’s career as a boss canvasman covers a period of some ten or twelve years, the past three years of which have found him with the World’s Greatest Shows. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Forrest Snider. 1907: "Forrest Snider left Friday in company with Dolph Jaggers to join Adams Fetzer's Great Star circus for the tenting season of 1907. Snider is an expert trapeze performer and juggler. Jaggers expects to take part in the concert with his Indian club act. Snider has been traveling with shows for several years."(1) 1910: "Forrest (Snider) De Cleo, who is touring with the Royal Entertainers, . . . visited Sunday with his mother . . . this city. DeCleo's company are at Canal Winchester all this week . . . The Royal Entertainers carry eight people, who are artists in musical comedy and vaudeville. . . ."(2) Forrest D. Snider, professionally "Harry DeCleo," trapeze, juggling, Smith's Combined Shows, 1911.(3) 1918: Harry DeCleo, ring artist and novelty juggler, is practicing daily at Marysville, O., his home town.(4) Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
1. Richwood (OH) Gazette, May 2, 1907.
2. Marysville (OH) Tribune, January 6, 1910.
3. Evening Tribune (Marysville, OH), March 9, 1911.
4. Billboard, March 2, 1918, p. 33.
Captain Snyder, animal trainer, Wheeler's circus, 1910. Marion (OH) Weekly Star, March 19, 1910. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Charles Edward Snyder, a veteran acrobat, who was for about twenty years one of the Three Herbert Brothers, acrobats, died Jan. 30 [1905], at Muncie, Ind., from consumption. At the age of eighteen he was taken by Charles Robinson, famous as the organizer of the acrobatic trio, the Herbert Brothers, and made the third member of the troupe. During the time of his travel with the trio Snyder visited every town and city of note in New Mexico, the United States and Canada. He is the second of the original three Herbert Brothers to pass away, Charles Robinson having died several years ago. Two brothers and a sister survive him. New York Clipper, February 11, 1905, p. 1204. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Alexander Sokolove started as a car porter on J. Augustus Jones' Cole Bros. Circus in 1917. For most of his career he was in the concession department with a number of circuses. Died May 25, 1984 at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, age 97. Circus Report, July 23, 1984, p. 8. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Charles A. Solman, better known as "King Soloman," died at his brother's home, in Pecos, Tex., Dec. 28, 1903, from throat trouble, and was brought to his home, Charlton, Ia. "King Soloman" became connected with the profession as manager of the opera house in his home city, but his first departure with road shows was in 1897, as one of the advance of the McMahon Shows. Since that time he has been continously employed with different theatrical organizations, serving four consecutive seasons each with P. H. McEwen, the hypnotist, and Terry's "U. T. C." Co. On jan. 2, 1902, he was forced to resign from the last named company on account of ill health. During the Summer he had charge of the Reno & Alvord Shows. At this time he lost the entire use of his voice and went South to spend the winter with his brother, at Pecos, Tex., where his death occurred. He leaves a mother, sister and a brother (Mose Solman, also a professional), at whose home he died. New York Clipper, January 16, 1904, p. 1126. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Carl Solt, aerialist, was performing by age 9. In 1915 he was with the Alderfer Show, then the Mighty Haag and vaudeville. At one time he had three acts with Hagenbeck-Wallace. Also worked on various Shrine and other shows. Died January 1, 1976 at Peru, Indiana, age 81. Circus Report, January 19, 1976, p. 9. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Herr Sommit, strongman, John Robinson's Big Ten Shows, 1910. Cedar Rapids (IA) Tribune, May 13, 1910. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Leon Sotman, animal trainer for years with Col. Francis Ferari Animal Arena, has signed for the Barnum & Bailey Circus animal department, under the direction of Thomas Lynch. Billboard, March 30, 1918, p. 29. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Pearl E. Souder (said to be Edouard Souder, "Perl"), elephant trainer, Ringling Bros., 1901-1902, 1905; native of Zateski (Zaleski?), has traveled with Ringling Bros. 14 years, died 1908. Cedar Rapids (IA) Republican, June 19, 1901; Fort Wayne (IN) News, May 31, 1902; Moberly (MO) Democrat, September 10, 1905; Athens (OH) Messenger, August 27, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Note: I am searching for more information about Pearl Saunders, elephant trainer for Ringling Brothers. I have a newspaper article relating to an ancestor, Mrs. Pearl Jones (stage name Katie La Pearl) who was killed by a street car in Indianapolis, Ind. in 1916 and was married to Will Jones at that time. Mentioned she was formerly married to Pearl Saunders, animal trainer for Ringling Brothers. According to newspaper article, he died in 1909. I have seen a couple of references to people having worked for Pearl Saunders, elephant trainer for Ringling Brothers and wondered if the entry you have for a Pearl E. Souder is one and the same. Katie La Pearl - I believe Katie La Pearl's original maiden name to be Linton (possibly Mary A. Linton daughter of Elijah and Rachel Linton. She trained with Ringling Brothers as a bareback rider and traveled with them in succession for 18 years. - Greg
Leon Spahn, who spent many years as a billposter with the advance of several circuses, general agent for the G. C. Guy Players for three seasons, and this season on the advance of the John Robinson Circus, has joined the colors, and is at Camp Zachary Taylor, Louisville, Ky. Billboard, June 29, 1918, p. 27. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Charles McGee Sparks was born in the state of Utah in 1882. At the age of seven he was adopted by J. H. Sparks, operator of the Sparks Brothers Circus and was with them until 1903 as an animal trainer and acrobat. Beginning in 1903 and continuing through 1928, Charles Sparks became manager and proprietor of the Sparks Circus, one of the finest twenty-car railroads in the east, with an outstanding circus parade. The Circus was known as a cleanly operated show both morally and factually and from the standpoint of not permitting any gambling or other vices commonly known in show business at that time. In 1929 the Sparks Show was sold to Mugivan, Bowers and Ballard. A certain amount of subterfuge was employed by a third party as Mr. Sparks had refused to make sale of the show to the American Circus Corporation many times prior to this. From 1930 to 1937, Sparks, operated the Downie Brothers Circus, one of America's largest motorized circuses at that time. It was sold at auction April 15, 1939 to a Mr. Bill Miller. In 1934, at the request of Ringling Brothers Circus, Mr. Sparks came out of retirement and opened a number two show called "Spangles." Charles McGee Sparks died on July 28, 1944, pre-deceased by his wife, Mrs. Ida Sparks, by some five years. Mrs. Sparks had been most active in his enterprises. He is outstanding in circus history for his superior circus management and the clean type of shows he produced. "Elected to Circus Hall of Fame," Bandwagon, Vol. 5, No. 2 (Mar-Apr), 1961, pp. 21-22. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
He and his wife are buried in the Brady's Bend Cemetery, Armstrong County, Pennsylvania. Their markers read:
Charles Sparks 1876-1949
Adelaide Mitchell Sparks 1975-1939
They are buried in the Wiseman family plot, along with John H Wiseman ["Sparks"] and his wife Nancy. Their markers read:
John H Wiseman October 17, 1863-January 23, 1903
Nancy M Wiseman July 16, 1865 - January 20, 1934
Adelaide was known to her family as "Addie" and and to the circus folk as "Miss Addie". Our information is contained in the book "Atop These Hills,' compiled and printed by the Brady's Bend Historical Society in 2002.
I also had the joy of knowing Melissa Painter, who died several years ago at the age of 93. As a young girl, she worked for the Wisemans as a maid, and told of Mrs Nancy telling her that John died due to blood poisoning he contracted when a tiger clawed him. I have no verification for the story, but he did die young.
The Wiseman family home sat vacant for a few years, and after WWII was donated to the town for the establishment of a "veteran's home." A few old soldiers from WWI had rooms there, the GI Joe Club was established, and the local American Legion Post made its home there and took over the upkeep. It fell into disrepair and was demolished to make way for low-cost housing for the elderly in the 1990s. - From: Debbie McCanna, President
Brady's Bend Historical Society, P O Box 451, East Brady PA 16028
In Repertoire. The Spaun Family Show opened its season under canvas April 2. Another auto truck has been added as the mountain in Western Pennsylvania are so bad the show was compelled to lighten the loads on the other trucks. The company is playing week stands. Byron Spaun, owner of the show, is one of the oldest small showmen in the business. His father was Johnny Lazelle, of the Lazelle Brothers, aerial performers with the Barnum Show back in the '60s. Billboard, July 27, 1918, p. 19. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
John Speer, rider, Forepaugh-Sells, 1911. Warren (PA) Evening Mirror, April 29, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Joe Spissel, clown with the Barnum Show last season, is working at his trade of machinist in a munition factory in Hartford, Conn., his home town. Billboard, February 9, 1918, p. 31. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
George Spongberg. Word has been received of the death of George Spongberg. George played first clarinet with Carl Claus on Barnum and Baileys Circus band in 1903-4-5-6. He was a member of the first band to ever ride in the historic Two Hemispheres bandwagon and was on the wagon when the 40 horse team picture was taken in Brooklyn in 1903. Jim Thomas was the driver. Bandwagon, December, 1952, p. 3. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
John Spreda "Sport", bill poster, Gollmar Bros., 1908; left show July 1908. Gazette (Stevens Point, WI), April 22, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Roy Spur, Forepaugh-Sells, 1908; Coshocton, Ohio man, left town to go with circus, will sail in about 3 weeks for 3 year tour of Europe. Coshocton (OH) Daily Age, September 21, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Minnie Squiggles, trapeze, Sells-Downs, 1905. Atlanta (GA) Constitution, November 10, 1905. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Gene Staats, of St. Louis, who last year was brigade agent with Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, is now overseas for Uncle Sam, somewhere in France, along with Dave Muier, who was connected with the same show. Billboard, April 20, 1918, p. 27. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Fred Stachowik, musician, cornet, Ringling Bros., 1911. Stevens Point (WI) Daily Journal, May 2, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Fred Stafford, Jr. After a lengthy illness, our dear friend, Fred Stafford died on June 29, at the age of 35. Fred had been press agent for Mills Bros. Circus for seven years, and was making preparations for the eighth season when he was stricken at Greenville, Ohio, just before opening. He recovered enough from this to fly to Boston where he stayed with an uncle and aunt until his death. Survivors include the aunt, Mrs. C. W. Crockett and his father, Fred Stafford, Sr., of Bristol, Connecticut. Burial was in Rutland, Vermont. Fred grew up in Rutland, Vermont and graduated from Amherst College in 1941. He was sports writer on The Springfield (Mass.) Union until 1944, when he became sports editor of The White Plains (N. Y.) Reporter-Dispatch. He joined the Mills Circus in 1948 as an assistant to Charles Schuler and later he headed the Mills press department. He was regarded as one of the promising men among younger circus staffers. He not only headed the Mills Bros. press department but sometimes doubled as general agent and handled public relations roles with the show. He handled arrangements for the Mills elephants to appear in the Eisenhower inaugural parade. He was the publisher and author for the Mills Bros. route book. We really lost a dear friend, and our sympathy goes not only to his father and aunt but also to the Mills Bros. organization. Bandwagon, Jul-Aug-Sep, 1954, p. 5. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Standing Rabbit, Sioux brave with John Robinson Shows, 1905. Auburn Bulletin (Auburn, NY), May 27, 1905. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Drew Stanfield and wife, riders, Hagenbeck-Wallace 1924. White Tops, Vol. 16, Nos. 3-4 (Feb-Mar), 1943, p. 7. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Henry Stantz, clown, first with Rhoda Royal; comedy wire act, Walter L. Main, 1901, 1903; Great Wallace Show, 1902, remained with Wallace show until Wallacke absorbed Hagenbeck show; 'old lady' act, Barnum & Bailey, 1908-1909; mid-winter circuses, 1907-1908; with Cooper show, a smaller show, 1904. Hagenbeck-Wallace. Oelwein (IA) Daily Register, June 16, 1910; Iowa City (IA) Citizen, August 2, 1909; Neward (OH) Advocate, April 23, 1903. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Harry Stanwood, "Daivolo" [sic?], died doing bicycle death trap loop in New York City, 1908. Waterloo (IA) Times-Tribune, May 3, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
George O. Starr, see Hutchinson Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
William Starr, oldtime blackface comedian and clown, also known as Billie McClain, has been a patient in the Charity Hospital at New Orleans, La., since March 4. He is suffering form tubercular laryngitis and pulmonary tuberculosis, and would appreciate assistance from friends. Mr. Starr was with some of the noted wagons shows, having been connected with M. L. Clark, Mollie Baily and Might Haag. In later years he has worked in vaudeville with his family. Billboard, March 30, 1918, p. 62. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
W. H. Startzel "Skip," reserved seats, side show, Buffalo Bill's Wild West combined with Pawnee Bill's, 1909. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Pete Staunton is not managing Al G. Barnes' "kid" show this year, but enjoying life on his ranch at Hollywood, Cal. Billboard, April 27, 1918, p. 29. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Comment: Could this be P. J. Staunton from Buffalo? I have a Barnum and Bailey day calendar book from 1904. Height listed at 3' 7" and entries match all performance dates. - Steve Clark
Frank Stearns, advertising agent, Gentry Bros., 1908. Waterloo (IA) Daily Courier, June 9, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Guy D. Steely, publicity, Ringling Bros., 1908. Marion (OH) Weekly Star, August 15, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Eddie Stendahl, billposter, known as "Soupy," who has been with the Yankee Robinson Circus for about nine years, is in the hospital at Mason City, Ia., in need of an operation, and without funds. Billboard, June 7, 1919, p. 84. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Ezra Stephens, known as the "Barnum of Maine." New York Times, May 9, 1886. Ezra Stephens's Bear Bounty. From the Lewiston (Me.) Journal, May 1. Ezra Stephens, the educator of dancing turkeys, the manufacturer of mermaids, the exhibitor of translated crocodiles, and the exhibitor of five-legged sacred cattle, who lives at Bryant's Pond, in the State of Maine, has emerged to public notice by having raised a peculiar legal question which was referred to the Attorney-General. Ezra had a trained bear, which he exhibited in a cage in the back towns and at country fairs. Either the bear lost his appetite for Ezra's acorns and languished, or the dime-contributing public lost its appetite for Ezra's bear, or Ezra became tired of the menagerie business - at any rate Ezra shot the bear in cage. He promptly presented the bear's nose and ears to the Town Treasurer and demanded the bounty of $5 which the State pays for every bear killed in Maine. The Town Treasurer wrote the State Treasurer inquiring if Ezra was entitled to the bounty. The State Treasurer referred the question to Attorney-General Baker this week. The latter has decided that as Ezra killed the bear he is clearly entitled to his bounty, as the law makes no distinction between wild bears and tame bears. When Ezra Stephens, the Phineas Taylor Barnum of Maine, lets a remote chance to make a V slip, bears will deliver up their own noses and ears for a State bounty.
Boston Sunday Globe (Boston, MA), July 16, 1899, p. 2. Paris, Me., July 15. . . . The death of Ezra Stephens at Bryants Pond removed a man who was perhaps better known to the older people of Maine than any other of her citizens. Stories relative to his unique character will be current as long as any of the present generation survive. He was born in this town Dec 7, 1831, and started in business life as a pedler and clock repairer, carrying his stock in trade on his back. He soon got money enough to start a small show, which was unlike any other exhibition that ever traveled, and his advertising methods were as unique and original as his show. His museum and circus increased until he employed 100 persons. Meantime he went into trade at Bryants Pond and operated the first department store in the state. Under one roof he gradually gathered almost everything which could be sold, from sugar to second-hand pulpits, so that his store became one of the curiosities of Oxford county. The circumstances of his death were sensational. His store had been robbed on the previous night and several of his acquaintances gathered in the back room to talk about the affair. Mr. Stephens considered it a proper time to treat, and according to an officer who investigated the strange affair, took a bottle which had contained creosote and still had some of the poison dried upon the bottom and sides in quantities so small as to be unnoticed, and filled it with liquor. A part of his friends did not like the taste of the mixture, others drank small quantities, remarking upon the peculiar flavor. Mr. Stephens drank more than the others and made a remark to the effect that the liquor was all right. He lived only a few hours. Walter Bisbee, a cattle buyer, died from the same cause the next morning, and three other men were critically ill, but are now out of danger.
For more information on Ezra Stephens, see Bandwagon, June, 1953, on this website. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Robert D. Stephens and his wife, Yvonne Ray, worked Shrine circuses and fairs with their sway pole, helicopter trapeze, sky cycle and sky dancing acts in the 1950s-60s. In the 1960s-70s Robert did double trapeze and perch on tent shows. Later he worked as an animal trainer and handler. He was with Von Bros., D. B. Wharten, Hoxie, Barnes & Daily, American Big Top, Roberts Bros. and all the Gopher Davenport show spin-offs. Died December 13, 1988 at St. Petersburg, Florida, age 60. Circus Report, January 9, 1989, p. 25. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Louis P. Stern was a partner with Irving J. Polack, founders of Polack Bros. Circus. After Irving's death, Louis continued to operate the show up to circa 1980. Died November 24, 1983 at Chicago, Illinois. Circus Report, December 19, 1983 (Vol. 12, No. 42), p. 8. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Andrew Steurtz, tattooed man with Barnum & Bailey for the past five years, is in Norfolk, Va., tattooing soldiers and sailors. He will not be with the circus this year. Billboard, March 30, 1918, p. 29. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Dennis Stevens, clown, contortionist, joined Polack Bros. Circus in 1945 and remained with the show until 1953. He was with Ringling-Barnum, 1954-56; Tom Packs Circus through the late 1960s; then with Clyde Beatty-Cole Bros. from 1971-77. Died December 3, 1986 at Sarasota, Florida, age 72. Circus Report, December 22, 1986, first section, p. 21. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
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Researcher information: My name is Cheryl Hanson. I live in Mobile, Al. I grew up in Indianapolis, IN. My father is Dennis Stephen's half brother. Edward Hamilton LaGrave. I remember when the circus would come to town we would always go see him. My father was held and murdered at his car in 1952 lot so I don't have a whole lot to say. I was not able to ask my father about Dennis. My mother still took us thought when he would come to town.
When I was 22 I moved away to Florida. I tracked Dennis to Sarasota where I know a lot of circus people retire. I drove over from Tampa and saw him for about 30 minutes. He did not have much to say as he said he was always traveling, which he was. The next year someone called and said he had passed, someone cleaned out his place and found my address and wrote and told me. I wish I would of gotten to have known him better. I do remember him being tall and always being in the little cars. I guess that is where the "contortionist" comes in.
I am looking for information as well. If you can tell me where to look to find pictures or articles about the clowns and him I would be ever so grateful. I have one picture from Clown Alley. Net I am doing some genealogy on my father and his realtives. Unfortunately my parents, grandparents, aunts & uncles, everyone is dead except my older brothers and me. Also did he have a clown name or did he always go by Dennis Stephens? Any information that you can give me would be helpful and definitely appreciated. Have a blessed 2014. Thanking you in advance. Sincerely, Cheryl LaGrave Hanson, clhmobile@yahoo.com
Sadie Stevens, once a popular actress and later a woman clown, died at New York City February 21. She was the wife of Joe Dellorelli, well-known circus clown. Last season she was with the Ringling Bros.' Circus. Billboard, March 2, 1918, p. 66. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
William O. Dale Stevens died of heart-disease at his home, 847 Newark avenue, Jersey City, N. J., Sept. 30, aged 29 years. He was born in Portsmouth, Eng., in 1854, and had been in the circus business since he was four years of age, his parents having followed that profession. With them he sailed from England in 1861 for the Cape of Good Hope, S. A.; thence to India, where they remained five or six years. Afterwards they visited China, the Philippine Islands, Japan, New Zealand, Australia and Madagascar, where his father died in 1872. Thenceforth the care of the family depended upon the deceased, he being the eldest son. He next engaged with Chiarini's Circus, and with it revisited India and Japan. In this country he had traveled with John O'Brien's Show, John Murray's Circus on its trip to the West Indies when it was shipwrecked, Barnum's Show, and the London before it was consolidated with Barnum's. He accompanied W. W. Cole's Circus and Menagerie to Australia, his third visit there, and, returning here, joined Ryan & Robinson's Consolidated Shows. He next organized a show of his own called the Great Australian Circus, and gave performances in theatres. Under the same title he ran a show during the past tenting season, exhibiting for several weeks on the Park-square Grounds, Boston, Mass. After closing there Aug. 4 he went to Brooklyn, and a month later went into Winter-quarters. He married Linda Jeal, a fearless and dashing hurdle-rider, who survives him, as does his mother, a brother and a sister (now in England). He was an excellent performer, doing an equilibristic act, balancing with his feet a large cross, a table and a barrel, a globe-running act, besides being an excellent leaper and a good general performer. His funeral took place from his late residence at two o'clock p. M. Oct. 2. New York Clipper, October 6, 1883, p. 480. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Leslie Stevenson has quit the road for the present. He and Joe Stanley are operating a cafe at Bridgeport, Neb. Stevenson was with Doc Palmer on Sells-Floto Circus for three years and on Wortham's Nos. 1 and 2 shows for five years. Billboard, November 29, 1919, p. 55. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
William Stevenson. See William Robinson.
W. F. Stewart.
Wm. Earle, an old Bijou manager, will put a circus on the road this season. Billy Stewart will also manage a gigantic aggregation of wonders. Fort Wayne Daily Sentinel (Fort Wayne, IN), March 29, 1884, n.p.n.
Billy Stewart, the famous showman, has abjured the sawdust and is now in the awning business and prospering. Billy has given up all idea of starting the "Fort Wayne Megathausarian Grand Hippodrome, Circus and Menagerie of Trans-Continental Novelites," but will be uneasy as a fish out of water until he again does the hoop-la act. Fort Wayne Daily Gazette (Fort Wayne, IN), March 29, 1884, n.p.n.
Ft. Wayne, Ind., Jan. 19. Cap W. F. (Billy) Stewart, veteran showman, died at his home, this city, Wednesday morning, of cancer of the liver. He was born in this city 74 years ago, and when a young man embarked in the circus profession, which he followed for fifteen years. He then put out a vaudeville animal show, under canvas, with which he toured Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky and Illinois for twelve seasons. At the expiration of this time he sold part of the outfit, retaining only a small menagerie, one of the main features of which was a large gorilla. With this collection he exhibited at county and State fairs for several seasons. The show was in winter quarters here, and December 15, 1915, were destroyed by fire. During the past season he was with the Central States Shows. He leaves a widow, a sister (Mrs. Smith), a son (Frank), and a grandson (Howard Stewart). Billboard, January 26, 1918, p. 8.
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Emily Stickney, rider, Sell-Floto, 1913. Known as the original "Polly of the Circus," educated in France. Sister of Robert Stickney. Manitoba Morning Free Press (Winnipeg, Canada), July 5, 1913. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Emma Stickney, equestrienne, Ringling Bros., 1909. Richwood (OH) Gazette and Marysville Republican, March 25, 1909. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Robert T. Stickney
Wanted, living curiosities for John Robinson's Great Show, to travel with the sideshow of Robert Stickney during season of 1877. For sale, one 70 foot round-top canvas, with all accoutrements. Cow, having five legs, three horns and two tails. Gives milk from the top of her back and underneath. One performing hog, one performing goat, one performing short-neck horse. Robert Stickney, Seventh street, Cincinnati, O. [Advertisement] New York Clipper, February 3, 1887, p. 360. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Robert Stickney, rider, Ringling Bros., 1908; Robert and Louis, manage, Hagenbeck-Wallace, 1909; Sells-Floto, 1913; Robert went to Harvard, but afterwards returned to the circus, brother of Emily Stickney. Decatur (IL) Daily Review, August 18, 1908; Ogden (UT) Standard, June 21, 1909; Manitoba Morning Free Press (Winnipeg, Canada), July 5, 1913.
Stickney died October 3, 1941, age 69, at Des Moines, Iowa. Was traveling with a carnival company with his pony act when he suffered a stroke. Was a grandson of John Robinson and Sam Stickney. His wife was a DeMott of the equestrian troupe. After several years with Ronbinson, Barnum & Bailey, Hagenbeck-Wallace, Sells-Floto and other circuses, Robert and his wife started a pony and dog act in vaudeville, county fairs and carnivals. In 1936 Robert was given a place with the WPA recreation program. The family also tried operating service stations and lunch rooms. "Bob Stickney Died at the Age of 69," White Tops, Vol. 14, No. 12 (Oct-Nov), 1941, p. 4. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
William Allen Stiles was one of the old Barnum & Bailey clowns. He began his career in 1912 under the name of Willie Davenport, but later used his own name. He retired in 1948. Died December 28, 1977 at Madison, Tennessee, age 89. Circus Report, January 23, 1978, p. 2. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
William A. Stilts, clown, formerly of the La Tena, Wheeler, Yankee Robinson and John Robinson circuses, has joined the service, and is at Camp Gordon, Ga. Billboard, August 3, 1918, p. 54. [Probably William A. Stiles] Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Stirk Family ". . . The bicycle riding by the five members of the Stirk family, all of whom ride one bicycle at the same time during part of the performance . . .", performing at a Decatur, Illinois opera house.(1) ". . . Stirk family in their incomparable evolutions on the bicycle. Little Florie, only a child, rides with the grace and ease of one long accustomed to the management of that vehicle, and her fearlessness is worthy of more than passing comment. . . ."(2). With Sells Bros. Circus in 1893 - ". . . The trick bicycle riding by the world-renowned Stirk family was excellent in a high degree and when a little tot entered upon the stage with her little wheel and sped around as gracefully as the other members, the audience broke forth in hearty applause. . . ."(3). Also 1892-93, "Stirk Family . . . Miss Nettie and Baby Elsie . . . Prof. T. Stirk, Orrin Bros.' Circus, City of Mexico, Mexico. . . . Managers Notice and to Whom It May Concern - I hereby give notice that I have retired from the profession and will no longer perform with the celebrated Stirk Family. My place will be taken by a First Class Lady Bicyclist . . . Mrs. T. Stirk, Stirk Family."(4) Professor Stirk had Prof. Stirk's Training Academy, Saratoga Street, East Boston, Mass. Stirk Family. Prof. T. Stirk, manager, Stirk Family Bicycle Act.(5) Thomas' wife was Sarah E., born in September 1858 in England.(6)
1906: "Circus Wars Over a Family of Athletes. How the Engagement of the Great Stirks Led to the Struggle With Amusement Trusts . . . The present circus season will long be remembered as almost precipitating one of the most bitter of circus wars. It started over the services of the great Stirk family. The home of this troupe is in France, and when they decided to tour America every circus owner of any prominence who could afford to pay the enormous salary they asked for their act made a bid for their services. It was just the one sensational feature that Norris & Rowe craved for their patrons and they doggedly determined not to be outbid by anyone. When the Stirk family finally landed on our shores H. S. Rowe pesonally greeted them at the New York dock. Other circus men were also there, and before the troupe fairly landed there were clamorous demands for their services. Considerable feeling was displayed when Rowe finally outbid his rivals and went home happy with the contract in his pocket. Retaliation was threatened and it is no doubt true that the young Western circus owners will yet pay the penalty of Incurring the displeasure of the circus trust by their threatened opposition. According to the trust, Norris & Rowe are getting altogether too ambitious and enlarging too rapidly and this the circus trust considers a crime. However, Norris & Rowe have had plenty of experience and can probably hold their own, for they are a powerful factor in the West. The Stirk family is a troupe of ten people, six graceful young women and four clean limbed men acrobats. They have a novel aerial bicycle performing in the air more tricks than was ever performed on the stage. The feats they accomplish seem incredible and from all accounts it is the most exciting and dangerous act ever attempted in the modern circus arena. The Stirk family will be seen here with the Greater Norris & Rowe circus, Tuesday, April 24th.(7) Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
1. Decatur Review (Decatur, IL), November 19, 1881, n.p.n.
2. Fort Wayne Daily Gazette (Fort Wayne, IN), December 22, 1881.
3. Waterloo Daily Courier (Waterloo, IA), June 10, 1893, n.p.n.
4. New York Clipper January 14, 1893. Page 729.
5. New York Clipper February 7, 1903.
6. 1900 Federal Census, Suffolk County, Boston, MA (Ward 1), Roll: T623 676; Page: 2A, 691 Saratoga Street.
7. Nevada State Journal (Reno, NV), April 20, 1906, p. 7.
Stirk Family and company of twenty performers played March at Stirk's Hall, East Boston, Mass. The following people appeared: The Stirk Family, Prof. T. Stirk, Mrs. T. Stirk, Geo M. Stirk, Gaynell(?) Stirk, Nellie Stirk, Viola Stirk; the Diamonds, Frank and Pearl; Al. Eveling, . . . Fred Bowman, Nellie Zolla, . . . Joan Breen, Thornton, Moore and Heid, the Neville Sisters, Rose Bacon. New York Clipper, April 7, 1894, p. 70. Information should be checked with additional sources.
St. Leon Family, acrobats, from Trasmania, Harris' Nickel Plate Shows, 1900; St. Leons, Great Floto Shows, 1904; Norris & Rowe, 1908; Ringling, 1908; Frank A. Robbins, 1910. Billboard, May 21, 1900; Billboard, June 16, 1900; Oakland (CA) Tribune, April 30, 1904; Anaconda (MT) Standard, July 2, 1908; Evening Tribune (Marysville, OH), April 23, 1908; Bandwagon, May-Jun, 2002, p. 23. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Kate Stokes.
Kate Stokes, the famous circus rider who was a professional beauty and public favorite only a few years ago, is now an inmate of the Cincinnati House of Correction, sent up for drunkenness. Logansport Journal (Logansport, IN), January 26, 1883, n.p.n.
Katie Stokes, formerly famous as an equestrian, and seen here with the Inter-Ocean circus, but who has been recently playing a small part in the "Corsican Brothers," was married last week to Theodore Hamilton. Miss Stokes will shortly return to her equine profession. Fort Wayne Gazette (Fort Wayne, IN), April 15, 1883, p. 2.
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Stolgoff Troupe, Cossacks and Russian acrobats, Norris & Rowe, 1909. Modesto (CA) Morning Herald, April 2, 1909. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Arthur Stone was a professor at Louisiana Tech University at Ruston. His wife, Bee, was a nurse. When they retired they began clowning, announcing, advance publicity and booking for circuses. Were with Dailey Bros., Jungle Wonders, Franzen Bros., Williams Bros., Ford Bros. and with Hoxie Bros. in 1982. Circus Report, March 29, 1982, p. 12. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Dennison W. Stone, Circus Manager. . . . once a popular favorite as Den Stone the clown, has for many years past been a manager, and as such he is already on the New England road for the season, with his "Grand Circus and Musical Brigade," the personnel of which was given in our circus news department some weeks ago. There are several reasons why Mr. Stone should have piled Littleton upon coke and become a disciple of Blackstone. There is probably only one reason why he became a circus performer, instead of a lawyer - when he was fourteen years old he ran away from his home, Burlington, Vt. Not only is he the son of a lawyer, but he was named in compliment to a prominent Vermont lawyer, Judge Denison. Yet even these propitiatory circumstances did not incline him towards scaling was, tape and briefs, for he walked twenty-five miles from Bennington to Brattleboro to join Ira Cole’s Zoological Institute, of which Seth B. Howes was equestrian director. The menagerie consisted of six cages of animals, and the chief performance in the arena was Elbert Howes’ act of riding and driving two horses an carrying th newcomer (Stone) in much the same fashion as Righas the Greek brought little Frank Whittaker before the public at our old Mt. Pitt Circus, where now stands R. M. Hoe’s manufactory. Righas carried Whittaker in his teeth, and literally spat him out when he had got through with him. As we have said, Righas was a Greek - a magician, not a rider. Den Stone’s second season in the arena was with Nate Howes’ Circus, to join which it took him three weeks to travel from New York to Pittsburg, Pa., by stages. It was in 1840 that, having appeared as clown under the late Joseph Foster, in the pantomime of "Mother Goose," he first took to the cap-and-balls. As a manager, between 1842 and 1875, he was prominently identified with Stone & McCollum’s, Stone & Madigan’s, and Stone & Murray’s Circus, and also with Den Stone’s Circus and Central Park Menagerie. In 1865, despite a law against equestrian entertainments, which law, if enforced, would have bankrupted his company, he boldly pitched tent in twenty towns and cities of Vermont, and, clearing $30,000, strengthened the foundation of his fortune. After the Rebellion his company was the first to appear in many of the Southern cities, and that trip was also quite profitable. In addition to his numerous other enterprises, it is claimed for Mr. Stone that he was the first manager to put a circus on boat and railroad, and travel from point to point. [Died 1892] . New York Clipper, April 27, 1878. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
A. F. Stonehouse, agent, Barnes' Dog & Pony Shows, 1900. Billboard, July 21, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Aerial Stones, high wire, Dode Fisk, 1910. Marshfield (WI) Times, July 27, 1910. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
John Stowe, proprietor and manager of Cook's Royal Circus, died in Vicksburg, Miss., Dec. 17, at 10 o'clock a.m., age 69 years. His illness was very brief, as he was confined to his bed but a single day. His remains were placed in a metallic case and sent to Niles, Mich., his late residence. He left a widow and eight children, the oldest male child, Will H. Stowe, being 23 years of age. New York Clipper, January 6, 1877, p. 327. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
I. V. Strebig is one of the most popular and widely-known circus agents in the United States. His popularity is not confined to the circus branch of the amusement profession, but extends into the theatrical as well. Mr. Strebig’s genial nature and social qualities have also made him a host of friends among the passenger officials of the various railroads of the country. With these his position of excursion agent brings him in daily contact, and the greatly reduced rates arranged for by Mr. Strebig show that he possesses the faculty of presenting to railroad officials the mutual advantages to them and to the show of special excursion service and rates. Mr. Strebig’s experience covers a wide field and many years of efficient work in the interests of the various tented organizations. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Ike Streibig, Rhoda Royal Shows, 1900. Billboard, August 11, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Frank Strode, equilibrist, hand balancer, W. H. Coulter's, 1911. Adams County Free Press (Corning, IA), May 17, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Melvelle Brothers
Albert Arthur Strout, 72, who died in his sleep in the last week of 1936, at his home, 131 Clinton Rd., East Weymouth, marks the last of that famed team of acrobats, the Melvelle Brothers who thrilled circus loving crowds of two continents over 40 years ago. Strout was born April 24, 1864 in Bangor, Me., and ran away from home at the age of 16 to join the circus. In a few years, he teamed up with two other acrobats and under the name of Melvelle Brothers, they played under the big tent with the great Barnum and travelled all over this country, Mexico and England. In the course of ten years they reached their peak and the strain began to tell. Their muscles became less resilient and they gave it up, for once stiffness begins to grip a circus performer he has only two courses of action. He must get himself some white paint and join the ranks of the clowns, or he can say goodbye to the big top. The three Melvelles chose the latter course. Strout came to Boston and entered the postal service in 1895. His mail route for many years was from the Boylston St. post office near Trinity Church. At that time, he started carving a model of the Church in his spare time, but later put it away and took up new interests. In 1929 he was retired from the postal department after 34 years of faithful service. Shortly after this, he suffered the loss of his right leg in an automobile accident. To keep busy during the day, he went back to the modelling job that he started 35 years ago. . . . He is survived by a daughter, Mrs. Edward Rideout and three grandchildren, Edward, Shirley and Herbert Rideout, all of East Weymouth. "Last of Famous Acrobats Dies at East Weymouth," Quincy Evening News (Quincy, MA), January 6, 1937. Contributed by Herbert Arthur Rideout. Note: Ernest was Ernest C. Whitney. In the early 1890s there were four of Melvelles for a short period. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Frank Stuart, press agent, Gollmar Bros., 1907. Woodland (CA) Daily Democrat, April 6, 1907. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
J. C. Stuart, advertising agent, Norris & Rowe, 1908. Woodland (CA) Daily Democrat, April 7, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Dr. Stull, veterinarian, Forepaugh-Sells, 1905. Galveston (TX) Daily News, November 5, 1905. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
W. G. Stultz, treasurer, Cooper & Co. Circus, 1900. Billboard, June 30, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Jim Sturgis, was with the Cooper Show, 1900. Mrs. Sturgis had the uptown show with Buckskin Bill's Wild West. Billboard, August 11, 1900, p. 5. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Arthur Sturmak was an owner and concessionaire. Toured with John Robinson, Al G. Barnes, Hagenbeck-Wallace, Cole Bros. and King Bros. In 1948 he formed his own show, Biller Bros. Circus, that used the slogan, "The show that travels on G.M.C." Died May 25, 1984 at Louisville, Kentucky. Circus Report, June 18, 1984, p. 6. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
James F. Stutzman was a circus agent working for Baron's European Circus, Hunt Bros. and the New Jersey State Fair. Died in March 1974 at Trenton, New Jersey, age 72. Circus Report, April 22, 1974, p. 11. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Raul R. Suarez was a clown throughout his life, known as "Aranita." Was related to the Riding Suarez Troupe family. Died May 29, 1981 at Mexico City, age 53. Circus Report, June 22, 1981, p. 5. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Sugiamtoes Imperial Yeddo Troupe of Athletes, Howe's Great London, 1910. Charleroi (PA) Mail, September 26 & 27, 1910. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Harvey C. Suisabaugh, an old circus man, died at Mattoon, Ill., May 18, aged seventy-five years. He was connected with the Antonio Brothers' Circus in the late fifties, having side show privilege. In 1860 he had same privilege with Babcock and Buckley's Circus. He was a life long friend of J. W. C. Coup, J. A. Bailey, and John Robinson. The past forty years Mr. Suisabaugh had resided in Mattoon, being engaged in the horse business. New York Dramatic Mirror, June 22, 1907, p. 19. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this person.
Lute Summers, bill poster, Cooper & Co., 1900. Billboard, August 18, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Rose Sullivan
Photo, right: Rose Sullivan, flying act, Hagenbeck-Wallace 1928. Photo courtesy of Gregg K. Schrader, Belva V. Schrader collection.
• Rose Claire Sullivan was born on May 11, 1905 in Holyoke, Massachusetts. She married Clayton Behee circa 1936. Clayton and Rose divorced in 1950, Sarasota, Florida.
1925: Sells-Floto [probable]. Ward Troupe, George and Majorie Reed, Nellie Sullivan, Elsie Darr, Erma Ward and Rose Sullivan. Rose Sullivan later married Clayton Behee and performed with him with the Flying Codonas and the Flying Behees. Her sister, Eileen, joined the troupe shortly afterward. Bandwagon, November-December, 1986, p. 14.
1926: Minneapolis Shrine show, March, 1926: Ward Troupe. Rose and Eileen Sullivan of Holyoke, Massachusetts . . . With Hagenbeck-Wallace were . . . Elsie Darr . . . [Sullivan sisters may have been with Sells-Floto] Bandwagon, November-December, 1986, p. 15.
1930: Sells-Floto. Rose Sullivan, Rose Ward(?), Pansy Ward(?), and Elsie Darr, in cloud swing, Display 13. Aileen Ward (Eileen Sullivan) . . . aerial ladders. Bandwagon, November-December, 1986, p. 17.
1940: Representing a younger generation in the daredevil world, the Flying Behees will appear in a featured role at Roseland Park, Canandaigua, New York from Friday, June 28 to Sunday July 7 inclusive, in a fast-moving routine of maneuvers on the flying trapeze. All of the preliminary training of Clayton Behee, who heads the act, and Miss Rose Sullivan, the foremost lady aerialists in the world, was received from the great Codona, who retained his position of the foremost aerialists
for years. Codona's troupe appeared with the Ringling Bros. Barnum and Bailey Show for a number of years, and it was while appearing in conjunction with troupe that Behee and Miss Sullivan were first identified as being aerial performers extraordinary.
Miss Sullivan was the first lady ever to perform a two and one half backward somersault to a feet catch in mid-air and so far her difficult stunt has never been duplicated. Her general appearance belies her ability on the flying trapeze for she is a pretty Irish lass with a mass of rusty hair and an engaging smile. In addition to Miss Sullivan's featured presentation, the Flying Behees present a most complicated series of routines requiring perfect timing if they are to avoid falling from their perches in the lofty rigging. Their whole presentation is a series of thrilling stunts accomplished with the poise and assurance of master aerialists, which they are. They are making their first appearance away from the Circus this year. Naples News (Naples, NY), June 20, 1940, p. 7.
1942: Playland's 1942 Free Circus literally gets off to a flying start on Monday, June 8, when a four-star show, featuring the. Flying Behees, Harry Rittley, balancing comedian; the George Hanneford equestrian group and Roberta's Pets, begins its twice-daily performances at Playland Arena. Rye, N. Y. The Flying Behees, All-American aerial acrobats, appear in the Arena for the second consecutive week, having been the Playland Free Act attraction the week of June 1 to 7. Miss Rose Sullivan, one of the three Behees, will make your eyes pop and your chin drop with her thrilling triple backward somersault in mid-air. . . . Harry Rittley, Roberta's Pets and the Hanneford Family carry over into the June 16 to 21 unit of the circus, co-starring with the Rooneys, aerial acrobats. Dobbs Ferry Register (Dobbs Ferry, NY), June 15, 1942, p. 7.
1942: Accustomed to providing aerial thrills themselves, the three Flying Behees, currently appearing in the Arena at Playland, Rye, assumed the, anomalous role of spectators when they witnessed part of one of the world's most spectacular aerial "shows" — the attack on Pearl Harbor last December 7. They were touring Hawaii with the Fernandez Circus when the Japanese sneak-play broke loose. The circus was set up at Scofleld Barracks, largest army base on the island, 10 miles from Pearl Harbor. The Behees were living in Honolulu, 10 miles from the barracks. "I was asleep at the time the fireworks began," Clayton Behee, senior member of the trio, recalled. . . .
"I awakened Rose, my wife, and my brother, Bob, and we dressed and went out into the street. We heard a tremendous noise in the distance, but I doubted that it was an attack. I thought large-scale maneuvers were in progress. Then we saw two planes careening earthward in a pall of smoke. Shortly after the menacing whistle of a bomb reached our ears and a terrific explosion that sounded only blocks away, rocked the ground. I was convinced it was the real thing. . . . "The next afternoon I went out to the barracks. The circus was being dismantled. I scooped up the performers' costumes in a piece of tent canvas, put the bundle in the car and rushed back to Honolulu. That night circus members came to our apartment and picked up their belongings." At the time of the attack, the Behees had been in Hawaii five months. They were not able to get transportation back to the States until February 21. . . . Mr. Behee, whose parents were trapeze artists, too, started his act in 1929, when he was 17. Since then, he, his wife — who is billed as Rose Sullivan — and Bob have worked in the United States, Canada, England, France, Norway, Swetev Denmark, Austria and Czechoslovakia, Mexico, Canal Zone, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Cuba, Hawaii and Germany. Mrs. Behee is a native of Holyoke, Massachusetts. Dobbs Ferry Register (Dobbs Ferry, NY), June 12, 1942, p. 8.
• The Sullivan sisters were Eileen and her sister Rose. Eileen was married Wayne Larey before Voise; and Rose was married to famous flyer Clayton Behee and catcher Bob Porter. Their family home was in Holyoke, Massachusetts, where they remained for many years. Buckles Blog, online
• The Flying Behees . . . first presented as a flying and return act by Behee in 1929. Previous to that time, Clayton had worked with his parents and two brothers, Bob and Raymond, in a ring, cradle and high trapeze act. He continued with his own act the next five years, but gave it up in 1934 when he was offered the opportunity of working with Vera and Lalo Codona, of the Flying Codonas, in the place of the late Alfredo Codona. Vera Codona retired the following year and was replaced by Rose Sullivan, daughter of Rose and Jimmy Sullivan, former circus performers. Miss Sullivan and her sister, Eileen, had been well-known aerialists for many years. Miss Sullivan and Behee continued as featured flyers with the Codonas, with Lalo Codon a catching, and made a two year European tour. During their European tour Behee and Miss Sullivan were married. Some of the European engagements they played were the Tower Circus, Blackpool, England; the Wintergarten, Berlin; Cirque Medrano, Paris; Roanacher, Vienna, and Circus Schumann, Copenhagen, Denmark. During their second engagement in Paris Lalo Codona injured his arm so that he was forced to retire from the act. Rose and Clayton Behee then presented their own act again under the name of the Flying Behees and were engaged by Cyril B. Mills to perform at the Mills Olympia Circus, London. Since then they have built up their turn until it has become one of the world's greatest flying acts. They have received numerous offers for re-engagements in most of the capitals of Europe. Ralph Swisher, formerly of the Casting Potters, completes the trio as catcher. Rose, Clayton and Ralph are now with the Cole Bros.' Circus and are featuring Rose as the first and only woman flyer ever to perform a two-and-a-half somersault to a catch by the feet while blindfolded. Billboard dated July 29, 1939
• Eileen Sullivan: Flying Harolds (Eileen). Eileen Sullivan, and her sister, Rose, came to Bloomington from Holyoke, Massachusetts to train with the Ward troupe in the late 1920s. Eileen had been married to Wayne Larey and the two worked with one of the Ward troupes on the Al G. Barnes circus until 1930 or 1931, when they split up. She married Harold Voise in 1932 or 1933 and joined his flying act where she became known as one of the outstanding woman flyers in the business. Bandwagon, July-August, 1989, p. 19.
• James and Rose Sullivan, parents of Rose and Eileen Sullivan: James E. Sullivan ("Soda") was a clown and acrobat on the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus. Rose his wife rode races did Roman riding and manage and became a member of the noted Bedini riding troupe as a bareback rider. They both retired in 1912. Boston Sunday Post, June 26, 1938.
• 1920 census, Holyoke, MA, January 9, 1920: James Sullivan, age 35, born Massachusetts, father born England, occupation fireman, fire dept. Rose Sullivan, wife, age 31, born Massachusetts, father born Ireland. Edna Sullivan, daughter, age 19?, born Massachusetts. Rose Sullivan, daughter, age 14, born Massachusetts. Eileen Sullivan, daughter, age 13, born Massachusetts.
• More information on Rose and Eileen family can be found in Bandwagon, July-August, 1989, pp. 19-25, and Gossard, Steve, "A Reckless Era of Aerial Performance, the Evolution of Trapeze," author, 1994, p. 158.
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Gus Sun, manager and proprietor of the Gus Sun American Minstrels, was born Oct. 7, 1868 [1869?], at Toledo, O. He embarked in the circus business in 1891 and at once achieved success. He continued in the circus business until the Fall of 1898, when he ventured into the minstrel business, and from the start the enterprise has been successful. Next season Mr. Sun will launch, in conjunction with his mistrels and circus, as "Uncle Tom's Cabin" co., and a dramatic company, presenting a melodrama entitled "Circumstantial Evidence." He will also enlarge his minstrel company and put it out on a grander scale. New York Clipper, December 28, 1901, p. 943.
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Louis F. Sunlin’s induction into the business of clown and animal performer was through the medium of the variety stage. His first circus engagement was with the Sells’ Bros, in 1880 as a concert performer and comedian. His natural abilities and fund of humor soon won him recognition as a clown, and he “donned the motley garb.” Mr. Sunlin’s feature act is that of a very laughable performance with his trained donkeys “Peanuts” and “Pickles,” but his versatility as a clown wins a world of laughter at each performance of the show. He has played engagements with the Ringling Bros. for several seasons.(1)
Allie Jackson, May Weldon, the Sunlin Brothers, and Melville and Arville were announced at E?ber's Alhambra Theatre, St. Louis, May 8, 1882.(2) Opening at Gilmore's Zoo, Indianapolis, Ind., Feb. 26, 1883: . . . Sunlin Brothers, Allie Jackson.(3) Champions of all acrobatic song-and-dance artists, the Sunlin Bros., Lew and Charles, and Miss Allie Jackson, America's greatest character change artist and vocalist. Read what the Daily Freeman, Peoria, Ill., 1883, says: The Sunlin Brothers - Lew and Charley - acrobatic song-and-dance artists, are well known to the Adelphi audiences (this being their fourth engagement), and their appearance on the stage was greeted with cheers. Miss Allie Jackson, the greatest favorite that has ever appeared at this house, was compelled to respond to encore after encore . . . Advertisement.(4) It appears Louis' brother may have been Charles.
Sells Bros. Circus, 1887, Allie Sunlin, rider.(5) Sells Bros. & Barrett, San Francisco, 1889. Allie Jackson, menage act. Elephant Syd, with her trainer, Lew Sunlin.(6)
Notes from the Irwin Bros. Circus, 1891. At Sing Sing, N. Y., May ?, about two o'clock A. M., fire was discovered in our stock car, which was ??? to the trucks. We had just finished loading when the fire was discovered, and on account of the doors not being closed, it made quick headway. Inside of six minutes it had destroyed the entire car with the contents. One end was used for our working people, and the other end for ponies and donkeys. Lew Sunlin lost his trick donkey, Peanuts, while Pickles was pretty well scorched before we got him out of the car. Loss about $???. Some of the papers had it that the show was totally destroyed, which is not the case. We are giving the whole show, just same as when we opened, and we will be all right in a day or two.(7)
Ringling Bros., 1892. Allie Jackson, manege, lady jockey. Queen of the side-saddle, introducing her high-school manege act, with her thoroughbred horse, 'Mizpah.' Lew Sunlin: two ludicrous ear winking donkeys, known to the world as Peanuts and Pickles, performed by their trainer, Lew Sunlin; troupe of trained dogs, acrobatic and talking clown; leaper and tumbler. May 25th. Arkansas City, Kansas: Lew Sunlin’s new cinnamon bear, tied in dressing-room, upsets buckets and stands on his head in the water barrel. Also makes a lion-leap at Sunlin, intent to chew him up and spit him out. (Laughter.) Lew finally pacifies him, and jumps him up under a flat car cage. May 28, McPherson, Kansas, Lew Sunlin buys a coyote with teeth as sharp as Sharp’s needles. June 3, York, Nebraska, Madame Sunlin’s beautiful manege horse Brilliant died in the cars last night. September 15, Memphis, Missouri, the Sunlins buy a very beautiful new chestnut sorrel thoroughbred, of mixed Hambletonian and Kentucky breed, and rejoicing in the Scriptural name of “Mizpah.” (8)
Ringling Bros., 1893. Allie Jackson, known in private life as Mrs. Sunlin, is the very clever manege rider billed on the programme of the show as the “Queen of the Side Saddle.” She commenced her professional career as a character vocalist, and, although she no longer uses her powers as a descriptive singer in a professional way, can often be heard at the piano entertaining the members of the company with her rare and pleasing rendition of popular ballads and songs. Show: Aug. 27, 1893. Arrived in Grand Rapids early. Lew Sunlin and wife are residents of this city. Aug. 28, Sunlin has baby donkey photographed. The donkey was born at La Porte, Ind., and looks very much like a jack rabbit. It is two weeks old to-day. (9)
Ringling Bros. 1894. Performing donkeys and Sunlin, the humorist; Sunlin is nature’s clown, and his pair of donkeys are quadrupedal imitations of their amusing master. Allie Jackson, manege. (10)
Louis and his possible brother Charles may have attempted to take out a circus in 1895. Advertisement, June 1895: Wanted, performers in all branches for Sunlin Bros.' Great R. R. Shows, including Japanese Troupe, Two Brother act . . . or any acts suitable for circus. All people must do two or more acts. Want people that double big show and concert. L. F. Sunlin, Grand Rapids, Mich. However, by July, Sunlin placed this advertisement: To circus managers. Lew Sunlin and wife, with three head of stock, can be engaged for bal. of this season, for high schooled menage act and comical donkey act. Also first class knockabout and talking clown and comical trick leaper. Can join immediately. Lew Sunlin, 300 N. Front Street, Grand Rapids, Mich. N.B. Last three seasons with Ringling Bros.' Circus.(11)
Ringling Bros., 1896. Mlle. Sunlin, high school equestrienne. Lew Sunlin, performing donkeys, clown. Ringling Bros., 1897. Trick donkeys are always welcome, particularly if they are thoroughly well trained, as are those performed by the jolly clown, Louis Sunlin. High school manege act Miss Allie Jackson. The retrieving horse Mizpah, ridden by Miss Jackson. Miss Jackson, is a superb rider. Her mount is “Mizpah,” another Arabian of finest blood, and as high-spirited as any horse that ever lived. The guiding hand of Miss Jackson, however, directs him through all the series of high school tricks and gaits with unerring certainty and artistic finish. Miss Jackson has taught Mizpah to retrieve like a dog. In the concert, Mrs. Lewis Sunlin.(12)
Ringling Bros., 1899. Miss Allie Jackson, menage act introducing the marvelous "Mizpah." Lew Sunlin, clown, dog race. Ringling Bros., 1900. Lew Sunlin, clown and his donkeys. Miss Allie Jackson, Extraordinary high-school menage act, introducing the marvelous "Mizpah," the only retrieving horse in the world.(13)
Notes from the Circo Curana(?), 1900-01, now touring the island of Cuba. We opened our traveling season at Matanzas, Cuba, Dec. 14, showing there one week to crowded tents. . . . Lew Sunlin, and his performing bull; . . . We will show all the principal towns in Cuba, the season running until July. Advertisement: Managers of parks, fairs, or any outdoor attractions, take notice. Prof. L. F. Sunlin and Madam Maria Sunlin. Coming to America in May, 1901, with two great novelty acts.(14)
Ringling Bros., 1902. Grand Rapids, Mich., June 9, 1902. Mr. and Mrs. Charley Carroll found Lew Sunlin, formerly with the Ringlings, and brought him to the lot. Mr. Sunlin is operating a stone quarry near Grand Rapids and avers that he is fairly coining money.(15)
Shipp's Indoor Circus, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Jan-Feb, 1903. L. F. Sunlin lives in Grand Rapids, Mich. He has been in the show business 23(28?) years, all the time in the trained animals' act. The bull which he had here is seven years old. The princiapl act is the pedestal act, the pedestal being six inches square and the animal mounting it with his four feed. The animal does several trick acts which no trick horse has ever done. A bull which is attracting attention in this country to-day is the one owned and trained by Mr. L. F. Sunlin. This animal is in training all the time, for he travels during the Summer season with a circus, and in Winter he must likewise be kept in practice. King Bill, for that is his name, is a Durham and Jersey. He is five years old and weighs 1,400 pounds, and is a fine-looking fellow. More than a year was required to train him, and the task was a most difficult one. He does not enjoy performing very much, and, anyway, a bull cannot be regarded as a very intelligent animal. A horse can be trained in half the time that is required to teach a bull, says Mr. Sunlin. No breed of bull seems to be more susceptible to training than another. While training, Bill was inclined to be ugly, and even now sometimes becomes cross while with the circus. King Bill's acts are unusual and remarkable. The most difficult one he has been taught to perform consists in his standing with all four feet on a box 6 inches wide by 8 inches in length. For as clumsy an animal as a bull to undertake such a task requires more skill than most people would imagine. King Bill will also sit down squarely on his haunches, just like a dog or cat. He will lie down on his side at the command of Mr. Sunlin and allow his trainer to lie down on him. He will stand upon a tub and Mr. Sunlin will sit upon his back, stand with his front feet upon a tub with Mr. Sunlin standing with one foot on his head and the other upon the middle of hisback; will place his head upon the ground, while Mr. Sunlin, with feet in the air, rests his own head between the animal's horns. King Bill will also roll a barrel with his nose. A most interesting part of King Bill's programme is his firing of a revolver. This he does without any show of fright or excitement, though the smoke curls about his head and the report is loud and near to his ears. The revolver is placed upon a slanting pole and, to reach the trigger with his mouth, the bulls tands with his fore feet upon a tub. Mr. Sunlin has made this work a business for fifteen years. Any bull can be made the subject of training, said he, but the reason that few try it is because most people don't know how, and also because it is decidedly dangerous. Mr. Sunlin has slo been successful in training dogs and horses.(16)
1903: Performers Who Are Wealthy. Mr. and Mrs. Lew Sunlin, the latter being known to the profession as Allie Jackson are probably the richest performers in America. They are with the Wallace show this year, exhibiting the trained bull and the high jumping horse. They have valuable property of various kinds in and around Grand Rapids, Mich., one of their greatest sources of wealth being some extensive rock quarries near that city, which were purchased undeveloped with money they had saved from their salaries in the business.(17)
1905. One of the novelties of Shipp's Indoor Circus, playing at the Powers this week, it the performing bull and this same bull has an interesting history. The animal is the property of L. F. Sunlin ot Grand Rapids, Mich., and is 7 years old. His name is "King Bill" and he is the succesor to what Mr. Sunlin declared was the original and only trained bull. Several years ago Sunlin, who had spent many months in training his first bull, took that animal to Cuba, where he gave exhibitions. The bull took a fever and died and Sunlin was disconsolate. His bull was his only stock in trade and he was face to face with ruin. In a desparate moment he concluded to find a bull in Cuba to take the dead animal's place and he found the present one in a bull fighting arena. This one with others was waiting to take part in a bull fight. He looked good to Sunlin, and he bought him. He still had his doubts, however, about training a Spanish fighting bull to be a well behaved performer on the vaudeville stage or in the circus ring, but he went to work with the animal. In five weeks he had the bull on the stage doing turns of the one that had died. He was by no means a finished performer, but good enough to enable Sunlin to fill his contracts and draw is salary.
Sunlin and his wife are celebrated trainers of animals, but Mrs. Sunlin, who does an act in the show with her educated horse, "Mizpah," says her husband can have the bull training end of it; she is satisfied to educate horses. "Mizpah's" most pleasing feats are his dances and his great hit is the "hoochie-koochie," which he does with reckless abandon and evident delight. Mrs. Sunlin declares she "almost worships her horse and that she is really ashamed to risk wrecking his morals by letting him do the oriental steps but that the people seem to want it and she has to submit.(18)
Advertisement: Circus managers, take notice. Prof. L. F. Sunlin, presenting King Bill, the only trained bull on earth. Madam Marie, presenting Mizpah, the equine wonder. A combination manage, retrieving and dancing act. Also a troupe of English whippet racing hounds, for the Hippodrome races. Managers wishing to engage the above acts can address L. F. Sunlin, 500 N. Front St., Grand Rapids, Mich., or per route Shipp's Indoor Circus.(18) All information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
It appears that Louis Sunlin died on April 11, 1935 at Cook County, Illinois. From Janet Bussi. Death record, Cook County Clerk, Cook County, Illinois
Allie Jackson may have been Maria Hart, listed in a marriage record and as the wife of Louis in the 1900 census. However, by 1930 Louis' wife was listed as Hazel. It is not known if Allie/Maria died or they divorced. No trace of Allie/Maria has been found.
Marriage record: Lewis F. Sunlin, born at Dayton, Ohio, married Maria Hart on December 5, 1883 at Grand Rapids, Kent County, Michigan. Extracted marriage record for locality listed in the record. Source Information: IGI Individual Record FamilySearch™ International Genealogical Index v5.0 North America, Batch No.: M018145.
Grand Rapids, Michigan City Directory, 1889, Lewis F. Sunlin, 124 Legrand, showman, Grand Rapids.
1900 Federal Census, Grand Rapids, Michigan. L. Sunlin, no age listed, born in Michigan, circus man. Maria Sunlin, wife, age 42, married 20 years, no children, born in Michigan, parents born in Ireland. Louis Sunlin, born February 1857, age 43, married 20 years, born Ohio, father born France, mother born Baden, performer. Maria Sunlin, born February 1860, age 40, married 20 years, born Michigan, parents born Ireland, performer. These appear to be double entries of Louis and Maria. However the 1900 census of the Ringling Circus at Columbus, Ohio listed a Lew Sunlin, age 24, born in Indiana in 1876, father born in Indiana, mother born in Ohio.
1930 Federal Census, Flint, Michigan: Louis F. Sunlin owned his home, worth $70,000. He was age 72, married at age 18, born in Ohio. His father was born in Alsace Lorraine, Germany; mother was born in Germany, occupation theater proprietor. His wife was Hazel P. Sunlin, age 42, married at age 19, born in Michigan, father born in Michigan, mother born in New Hampshire. Living with them was Lillian B. Peters, mother-in-law, age 72, widow, born in New Hampshire. Indicates that Hazel's maiden name was Peters. The family had a cook, Mansel Vardeman, living with them. The 1910 census for Battle Creek, Michigan lists a Lillian B. Peters, age 48, divorced. Living with her was a daughter, Hazel L. Gillis, age 22, married twice, no children, occupation theatrical musician.
Mansel Vardaman, female impersonator, photos and information courtesy of Janet Bussi
The Mansel Vardeman, living with the Sunlins, listed as a cook, was a vaudeville performer, real name Mansel Boyle. He was known as "Vardaman,the Auburn-haired Beauty." Mansel was born in 1877 in Santa Cruz, California, son of Arthur and Jenny (?) Boyle. Arthur Boyle was a miner, who came from Massachusetts, settling in Butte, Montana. Mansel's mother may have left Butte, since Mansel was born in Santa Cruz. However, Mansel grew up in Butte, worked as an accounting clerk in a liquor store and was active in the Overland Minstrels, a local amateur theatrical group. Mansel donned female attire for the first time in the Minstrel's annual comedy revue. Mansel started playing the Midwest Vaudeville routes, then the bigger houses in Chicago, Toledo, and other cities. He was playing some of the top houses from 1903 to 1913, still a performing as a female impersonator. Vardaman toured the world, sailing from Honolulu in 1913. He performed in Melbourne, South Africa, and England. He later attempted a vaudeville comeback as "LaVardy," with his same act, with limited success. His career continued until about 1925, the year of his last contracts. Princeton University Library, Department of Rare Books and Special Collections
1. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893.
2. New York Clipper, May 13, 1882, p. 126.
3. New York Clipper, March 3, 1883, p. 814.
4. New York Clipper, June 30, 1883, p. 244.
5. Stevens Point Journal (Stevens Point, WI), July 23, 1887, p. 1.
6. Mountain Democrat (Placerville, CA), May 18, 1889.
7. New York Clipper, May 9, 1891, p. 150.
8. Official Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1892, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1892; New York Clipper, April 2, 1892, p. 50.
9. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893.
10. Official Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1894, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1894; New York Clipper, April 14, 1894, p. 85.
11. New York Clipper, June 8, 1895, p. 223. New York Clipper, July 20, 1895, p. 316.
12. A Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Seasons of 1895 and 1896, St. Louis: Great Western Printing Co.; Route Book of Ringling Brothers World’s Greatest Shows, Season of 1897, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1897.
13. A Circus Year Book of Ringling Brothers World’s Greatest Shows, Souvenir 1899, Chicago: Central Printing and Engraving Co.; Route Book, Ringling Bros.' World's Greatest Shows, Season 1900; Emmetsburg Democrat (Emmetsburg, IA), July 4, 1900, p. 3.
14. New York Clipper, January 19, 1901, p. 1046; New York Clipper, April 20, 1901, p. 176.
15. Route Book of Ringling Bros. World's Greatest Shows Season of 1902, Chicago, IL: Central Printing and Engraving Co., 1902.
16. Cedar Rapids Sunday Republican (Cedar Rapids, IA), February 1, 1903, p. 5; New York Times, July 26, 1903.
17. Ottumwa Courier (Ottumwa, IA), July 27, 1903, p. 2.
18. Decatur Review (Decatur, IL), January 4, 1905, p. 6; New York Clipper, January 28, 1905, p. 1152.
Researcher note: I have been researching my great grand uncle Louis F Sunlin. I have some new information to share. I have his death certificate from the Michigan Department of Health. He died in Flint on 12 Feb, 1935. He had acute nephritis and diabetes. Lew's brother William J Sunlin performed as an acrobat in 1881 with the Hudson & Castello circus, a year after Lew's debut. Whether these brothers appeared together is a mystery. William became a cigar manufacturer shortly afterwards, possibly grounded due to an injury. Appearing as if out of nowhere, George Sunlin was with Lew Sunlin and wife (Marie Hart Sunlin) for Sells-Floto in 1906. According to the Grand Rapids city directory, he lived with Lew from 1908 to 1910. It could have been new name for Lew's brother Charles, whose trail ran cold about that time. Douglas Sunlin
Dick P. Sutton, of Butte, Mont. Born in Kentucky, April 15, 1844, he early evidenced the qualities required of a showman through the production of amateur circuses, in which he was usually the whole show and the band. He grew from a stripling to young manhood in Evansville, Ind., and in 1861 he began the life of a river man, acting as cook, steward and waiter on the Mississippi packets. In 1863 he joined Wm. Lake's Hippolympiate Circus as a jig dancer and orator for the side show, and then began his actual career as a showman. Since then he has been active as a manager in all departments of theatrical activity - as one of America's most successful "Uncle Tom" managers, as a pioneer in the development of modern circuses, as the manager of opera houses, and as a promoter of entertainments of all classes and kinds. For the past few years he has made his home in Butte, Mont., where he has successfully established himself as a manager of the most popular and prosperous theatres Butte has ever known, Sutton's Broadway Theatre, Butte, is his greatest pride, and its perfect construction and careful management brings him greater satisfaction than any achievement in his long and varied career as a representative American showman. New York Clipper, March 28, 1903, p. 110. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this person.
Anna Sutton
This Anna Sutton may the the second wife of Earl Sutton (below).
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Earl Sutton
Hagenbeck-Wallace 1922, Wild West performers with the show were Earl Sutton, Mary Sutton. Bandwagon, November-December, 1965.
Hagenbeck-Wallace 1923, the hunting scene was presented by Earl Sutton and Ethel Sutton . . . outstanding in this act were Ethel Sutton on "Porter," the high jumper. In the concert, the wild west troupe included Earl and Mary Sutton. Bandwagon, January-February, 1966, pp. 6, 7.
Hagenbeck-Wallace 1924, Earl Sutton and wife - Mr. Sutton to work in wild west, trick ride, trick rope including big loop, big horse catch, boomerang throwing, ride jumping horses, general wild west. Mrs. Sutton to ride menage, high jumps, to ride for roping, trick ride, flat races, general wild west; both parade and tournament and wild west line ups. . . . Under an entry entitled "People that didn't show up" are the names of Earl Sutton and wife. Bandwagon, September-October, 1966.
Hagenbeck-Wallace 1926, Earl Sutton. Billboard, September 14, 1946, p. 51.
Hagenbeck-Wallace 1930. Mr. and Mrs. Earl Sutphen, who were with the Hagenbeck & Wallace Shows during the past season, spent the week-end with the former's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Sutphen, here. They left today for Marion, Ohio, where they were to begin a six weeks' tour of the fairs in that State. Mr. Sutphen was in charge of the Wild West show for the Hagenbeck & Wallace during the past season. Owosso Argus-Press, (Owosso, MI), September 8, 1930, p. 5.
Hagenbeck-Wallace 1931 program, Wild West Rodeo featuring Earl Sutton and his congress of wild west cowboy and cowgirl champions in native pastimes of the fast-fading old west. Online, Buckles Blog, bucklesw.blogspot.com/2006_06_01_archive.html
Undocumented information: Earl Sutton, real name Earl Harold Sutphen. Earl was a world champion trick and fancy roper, performing for 40 years before retiring to run a western ware store in Montana. Earl Harold Sutphen was born Aug 09, 1891 in Owosso, Michigan, and died Oct 28, 1975 in Ekalaka, Montana. He married (1) Mary circa 1918-19; (2) Anna Guerina Swennumson, November 18, 1925 in North Dakota; (3) Janice L. Collins, 1935 in Mexico. Children of Earl and Anna: Earl James Sutphen and Cody Sutphen. familytreemaker.genealogy.com
World War I draft registration, 1917: Earl H. Stuphen, Owosso, Michigan, age 24, single, performer, Barnum & Bailey Circus.
Michigan Marriages, 1868-1925: May 2, 1919, Earl H. Sutphen, age 26, Owosso, Michigan, showman; Mary L. Barga, age 18, clerk.
Earl Harvey Sutphen and wife Anna (former Anna Wennumson) sailed from Antwerp, November 23, 1932, arrived New York, December 5, 1932. Earl and Anna resided in Portal, North Dakota. Earl born August 9, 1892, Owosso, Michigan; Anna born Portal, North Dakota, June 8, 1906. Passenger and Crew Lists of Vessels Arriving at New York, New York, 1897-1957.
Earl Sutton Sutphen arrived Quebec, July 22, 1934, age 39, born August 9, 1892 at Owosso, Michigan. United States Border Crossings from Canada to United States, 1895-1956.
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Esther Sutton, performer, was with the 1928 Hagenbeck-Wallace show when this photo was taken. In 1936 she was with Ray March Brydon's Rice Bros. Circus, performing on the swinging ladders and presenting riding dogs and monkeys. Also in these acts was an Anna Sutton. Bandwagon, May-June, 1984, p. 23.
Photo courtesy of Gregg K. Schrader, Belva V. Schrader collection.
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William Sutton, rider, Norris & Rowe, 1905. Daily Nevada State Journal (Reno, NV), April 18, 1905. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Lawrence Swalley
Photo: Lawrence Swalley, clown, Hagenbeck-Wallace, 1928, photo courtesy of Gregg K. Schrader, Belva V. Schrader collection.
1926: Clown alley, Swalley & Warde. Lawrence Swalley and Bobbie Warde did the Camera Gag on the Al G. Barnes Circus in 1926. clownalley.blogspot.com
1929: Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, 1929, clown, Lawrence Swalley, Earl Shipley. Binghampton Press (Binghampton, NY), May 3, 1929, p. 18.
1929: Toy land Opens Friday With Santa, Clown and All Parade at 10 o'clock — Real Clown from Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus. Santa and Clown Band promptly at 10 o'clock the parade will start. It will file down Main Street and back to Rorabaugh-Wiley's where Santa and Lawrence Swalley, the real leading clown from Hagenbeck & Wallace will entertain. Hutchinson News (Hutchinson, KS), November 28, 1929, p. 8.
• Swalley was a circus clown for Al. G Barnes back in the 1920's, known as "America's Neatest Clown." [undocumented]
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John Swallow, rider, Barnum & Bailey, 1906; Hagenbeck-Wallace, 1907-1908. Post-Standard (Syracuse, NY), June 1, 1906; Weekly Press (St. Joseph, MI) July 11, 1907; Racine (WI) Daily Journal, May 13, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Frank M. Swan, showman, last season with Coop & Lent Circus, is now representing the Hyatt Booking Exchange in Chicago. Billboard, January 11, 1919, p. 28. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Charles H. Sweeney, equestrian director, Wallace circus, 1902-1903, 1905, also Miss Sweeney, equestrienne; Hagenbeck-Wallace, 1908-1909; Yankee Robinson, 1913. Cambridge (OH) Jeffersonian, December 3, 1903; Fort Wayne (IN) Sentinel, August 11, 1902; Cambridge (OH) Jeffersonian, April 6, 1905; Indiana (PA) Weekly Messenger, May 13, 1908; Daily Courier (Connellsville, PA), May 16, 1908; Kennebec (ME) Daily Journal, January 18, 1909; Janesville (WI) Daily Gazette, April 2, 1913. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Edward C. Sweeney was a clown for 16 years with Ringling Bros. Circus. Died June 11, 1979 at Southport, Connecticut, age 93. Circus Report, July 2, 1979, p. 11. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
William Sweeney, band leader, cowboy band, Buffalo Bill's Wild West, 1908. Colorado Springs (Co) Gazette, August 17, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Winnie Sweeney, high wire, Wallace Shows, 1900. Billboard, June 16, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Herbert Swift had planned to go with the Gentry Bros.' show as band leader, but Uncle Sam comes first, so he is in the War Department at Washington. Billboard, March 16, 1918, p. 30. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Lee Sycle, advance, Campbell Bros, 1910. Humeston (IA) New Era, August 17, 1910. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Sylvester Sisters, five in number, Hagenbeck-Wallace, 1908. Indiana (PA) Weekly Messenger, May 13, 1908; Charleroi (PA) Mail, May 12, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
T
Joe Taketa Troupe, five people, perch, wire, risley, head balancing, barrel kicking, Hagenbeck-Wallace 1924. White Tops, Vol. 16, Nos. 3-4 (Feb-Mar), 1943, p. 7. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
John Talbert, fixer, Sells-Gray, 1900. Billboard, May 21, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Gus Taliaferro was in charge of program sales on Cole Bros. Circus 1940-1949, and was with Biller Bros. Circus in 1949. He had concessions on the Blue Grass Shows for several seasons. Died June 16, 1985 at Louisville, Kentucky, age 71. Circus Report, July 29, 1985, p. 10. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Edwin M. Tandy was an elephant handler with Hagen Bros. and Famous Cole circuses, and Superintendent of Elephants at the Tulsa, Oklahoma Zoo for several years. He worked for Dave Hoover on Beatty-Cole and had animals acts on Royal Ranch Wild West, Roberts Bros., and International All Star circuses. Died December 6, 1984 at Frederick, Maryland, age 62. Circus Report, February 4, 1985, p. 33. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
John Tanner, formerly with Pawnee Bill's Pioneer Days, as arena director and chief of the cowboys, died at the home of his brother, Bert, at Staten Island, N.Y., of cancer of the stomach, January 15, 1919. He was connected all his life with Wild West outfits. Billboard, February 8, 1919, p. 67. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
George Tardy, from Waterloo, Iowa. La Pearl's Circus, 1896; George & Henry Tardy, Gentry Trained Animal show, 1901; George, Ringling Bros., 1909; George, reserved seats, lion keeper, attacked by a lion & left circus, Yankee Robinson, 1910; George, animal caretaker, winter quarters, Ringling Bros., 1917; George and Henry Tardy, Ringling Bros., 1911; George in charge of chimpanzees, Ringling Bros., 1912; George Ringling Bros., 1913; George, in circus 19 years, menagerie department, Ringling Bros., 1915. Waterloo (IA) Daily Courier, October 5, 1896; Waterloo (IA) Daily Courier, May 13, 1901; Waterloo (IA) Semi Weekly Courier, April 2, 1909; Waterloo ((A) Evening Courier, June 17, 1910; Waterloo (IA) Reporter, May 4, 1910; Waterloo (IA) Evening Courier, November 21, 1917; Waterloo (IA) Evening Courier, August 22, 1910; Waterloo (IA) Evening Courier, August 23, 1911; Waterloo (IA) Evening Courier, August 15, 1912; Waterloo (IA) Evening Courier, August 25, 1913; Waterloow (IA) Evening Courier, April 5, 1915. "Twenty Years Ago, July 7, 1897. George Tardy, who learned the business with Pearl's circus, has been appointed superintnedent of the Cedar River park menagerie." Waterloo (IA) Evening Courier, July 4, 1917. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Bert Dearo Tarrant performed a contortion frog man act and on the slack wire. Was with Ringling-Barnum, Cole Bros., Sells-Floto, Sparks and Russell Bros. circuses. He was with the Orrin Davenport Shrine shows for a number of years, where his wife Connie also appeared. In his later years he worked as a rigger. Died September 12, 1978 at Venice, Florida, age 80. Circus Report, January 1, 1979, p. 30. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Tasmain & Rutherford Troupe, See Rutherford. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Tasmanian Sisters, acrobats, four in number, Norris & Rowe, 1905; six in number, Hagenbeck-Wallace, 1910-1911. Woodland (CA) Daily Democrat, April 11, 1905; Evening Telegram (Elyria, OH), May 24, 1910; Fort Wayne (IN) Sentinel, May 29, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Tasmanian Troupe, five in number, three women and a boy, acrobats, Frank A. Robbins, 1906; seven in number, Hagenbeck-Wallace, 1908; equilibrists (wire), six women, Hagenbeck-Wallace, 1911. Bandwagon, Sep-Oct, 2001, p. 34; Oelwein (IA) Daily Register, August 17, 1908; Fort Wayne (IN) Sentinel, May 19, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Nolly Tate, see Emanuel Goudsmit.
Taylor-Huttons of America, Forepaugh-Sells, 1910-1911. Bedford (PA) Gazette, April 29, 1910; Charleroi (PA) Mail, April 28, 1910; New Castle (PA) News, April 29, 1910; Charleroi (PA) Mail, May 4, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Buck Taylor (Berry F. Tatum). "Buck" Taylor is dead, and with him passes away much of the primitive glory and sensationalism of the American cowboy. . . . "Buck" Taylor was really the first American cowboy the public had ever been permitted to gaze upon. Every one had read of this wild and venturesome individual of the broad ranges of the West, but "Buck" was the real thing, picturesque in appearance, sensational in his doings and well deserving the soubriquet "King of Cowboys."
"Buck," whose real name was Berry F. Tatum, his family being one of the oldest and best in Montgomery, Ala., died at the Prividence Hispital, Washington, D.C., on Monday, August 20(?). He was a sergeant in Roosevelt's Rough Riders during the Spanish-American War, and contracted the disease, consumption, of which he died, while in Cuba. Since his return he has been almost unable to attend to any business, although he held a clerkship in the Census Bureau in Washington, having received his appointment through the kindly aid of Governor Roosevelt and Senator Morgan, of Alabama. He went to Cabin John's Bridge, a suburban restor not far from Washington, last Sunday night, and was taken sick on the veranda of one of the hotels, being found there, gasping for breath and in an almost dying condition, before medical aid could be summoned.
Before he became a cowboy "Buck" Taylor, or Berry F. Tatum, was an opera singer, having appeared as Ralph Rackstraw in "Pinafore" and in other light or comic opera characters. Tiring of the stage, however, he went West, and found employment on one of the ranches in Nebraska, where he afterward became celebrated as one of the most daring cow punchers of the many wild Western rangers. When Colonel Cody undertook the organization of his famous American show "Buck" Taylor became essential to its completeness, and for years was almost as conspicuous and as much applauded in its exhibitions as the famous Bison killer himself. He rode before the Queen at Windsor, and not only received presents from her, but from nearly all the monarchs of Europe, as expressions of their admiration for his skill and daring as a horseman. Billboard, September 1, 1900, p. 5. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Harry Taylor, bill poster, Cooper & Co., 1900. Billboard, August 18, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Herb Taylor, clown, Grotto Circus, 1941. "Conn. Fans Buck Snow to Attend Indoor Circus," White Tops, Vol. 14, Nos. 4-5 (Feb-Mar), 1941, p. 8. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
John Taylor. Miaco Pantomime Co. have closed a successful Winter season, and Alfred F. Miaco, Mrs. Laura Miaco, Stephen Miaco and John Taylor, contortionist, are re-engaged with the John Robinson Show for the coming season, this being their third season with that show. Stephen Miaco and John Taylor will introduce their new aerial act, and Mrs. Laura Miaco will do a balancing trapeze act. New York Clipper, April 7, 1894, p. 68. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Joseph Taylor
Information and photo courtesy of Chuck Finley.
The photo is marked "Norris & Rowe Dog & Pony Show around 1899." The baby elephant is Fargo. The African-American with the elephant is Joseph Taylor. The 1900 Federal Census lists the people associated with the Norris and Rowe show. Joseph Taylor's position is listed as "elephant" and he is the only person listed with such position. His race is noted as "Black." In the 1910 Census, Mr. Taylor is not listed, and the show appears on it last legs with a short crew. Mr. Taylor's postition was perhaps an elephant "keeper." Trainer would imply an act or performance, no indication was found that the show carried more than Fargo. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Milt Taylor, clown, with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey. Noted for his clown car. "My Last Visit with My Friend Milt Taylor," White Tops, Vol. 15, Nos. 1-2 (Dec-Jan), 1941, p. 10. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Prof. Taylor's company of bicycle riding and wire-walking monkeys, Forepaugh-Sells, 1911. Titusville (PA) Herald, May 5, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Robert Taylor. Master of Transportation, Ringling Bros. Mr. Taylor’s position requires both great diplomacy and executive ability. His diplomacy is brought into play in securing from railroad officials sufficient and advantageous yard accommodations for the trains of cars under his supervision, for their speedy and safe transit from place to place, and many other concessions not strictly in the official contracts, but still of vital importance in the railroad department of the show. His executive ability is needed in the great daily work of loading and unloading the many heavy wagons, cages, chariots, etc. Mr. Taylor has occupied executive positions with the Main and Forepaugh and other shows, and combines with a wide experience the creditable disposition of taking advantage of new and improved methods in the handling of his work. The hour of midnight or the beginning of a new day has never yet found a wagon unloaded. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Miss Tee, professionally known as Lillie Deacon, wife of Adam Forepaugh, Jr. Lived at Brewster, New York in 1900. Billboard, June 2, 1900, p. 5. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Ed. Teirney, accordian player, Hunt Bros., 1892. "Eastern Fans to Meet with Hunt Show at Opening of 50th Year," White Tops, Vol. 15, Nos. 3-4 (Feb-Mar), 1941, p. 3. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Charles Tenny, band leader, Cole Bros., 1906-1909; Howe's Great London, 1911. Hamilton (OH) Daily Democrat, August 6, 1906; Titusville (PA) Herald, May 24, 1907; Fort Wayne (IN) Sentinel, May 18, 1908; Daily News (Marshall, MI), June 22 & 29, 1909; New Castle (PA) News, April 23, 1909; Daily Independent (Monessen, PA), April 21, 1909; Daily Courier (Connellsville, PA) April 19, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Mrs. I. Teramae, swinging ladder, Hagenbeck-Wallace 1924. White Tops, Vol. 16, Nos. 3-4 (Feb-Mar), 1943, p. 7. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
J. Teramoi, Kame Tetsuwari, Kame Ueyda, risley, foot ladder balancing, barrel kicking, Hagenbeck-Wallace 1924. White Tops, Vol. 16, Nos. 3-4 (Feb-Mar), 1943, p. 7. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Sid Terrell, Buckskin Bill's Wild West, 1900. Billboard, June 23, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Dick Terry. To sideshow managers. Dick Terry, sideshow talker, can be engaged wiht two curiosities, bearded lady and Circassian, with new paintings. Address, Parker street, Philadelphia, Pa. [Advertisement] New York Clipper, February 3, 1887, p. 355. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Albert Therrien, also known as Albert Dixon, last season with Cook Bros.' Circus, has enlisted in the navy, and is with the 3d Regiment, 8th Co., Naval Training Station, Newport, R.I. Billboard, March 2, 1918, p. 33. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Thiel, clown, Frank A. Robbins, 1907. Portsmouth (NH) Herald, June 6, 1907; Bandwagon, Nov-Dec, 2001, p. 33. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Grace Thomas, principal equestrian, W. H. Coulter's, 1911. Adams County Free Press (Corning, IA), May 17, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
James Thomas, clown, Hagenbeck-Wallace 1924. White Tops, Vol. 16, Nos. 3-4 (Feb-Mar), 1943, p. 7. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Jane Thomas (Eliza Jane Banks Thomas), who worked on the trapeze until she was 76, was the mother of the Flying Melzoras. The Flying Melzoras were with Ringling-Barnum from the 1920s-1940s, and she was still a catcher at age 65. Died February 3, 1974 at Saginaw, Michigan, age 87. Circus Report, February 25, 1974, p. 7; August 26, 1974, p. 5. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
C. N. Thompson. Sarasota, Fla., Jan. 6. C. N. Thompson died at his home on Friday night of heart trouble. He was 61 years old. Mr. Thompson was born December 15, 1856, at Marseilles, Ill. He became identified with outdoor shows at an early period of his life and remained in that profession continuously until his death only two months after the close of the season of 1917, which he finished with Ringling Bros.' Circus at Memphis, Tenn., November 5. Mr. Thompson had been identified with the following circuses as claim agent, adjuster or on the business staff: S. H. Barrett, Doris & Robin, W. W. Cole, Adam Forepaugh, Sells Bros., Forepaugh-Sells Bros., Ben Wallace, Hagenbeck, Pawnee Bill, Buffalo Bill and Ringling Bros. His longest period of service was with the Sells Bros.' Shows as assistant manager and later as general manager, having had charge of the concern on its trip to Australia. At the termination of the season in November, Mr. Thompson returned to his home at Sarasota. On the fifth day after his arrival he was taken suddenly ill, and gradually failed until the end, which came on Friday, January 4. He was a charter member of the Showmen's League of America, an Elk, a Shriner and 32d degree Mason. He is survived by his wife, a son Russell, a daughter and a brother. He was married at Morris, Ill., in 1884. Internment was at Sarasota. Billboard, January 12, 1918, pp. 3, 67. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
George L. Thompson, "Red Cap," was an elephant trainer with the John Robinson Military Elephants, Terrell Jacobs, Sells-Floto and other shows. He handled the famous elephant "Billy Sunday." Died March 21, 1978 in Florida, age 76. Circus Report, April 24, 1978, p. 18. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Melvin J. Thompson, who broke in on the A. H. Reed Show in 1910, was last season on the Al F. Wheeler Show. Billboard, November 2, 1918, p. 27. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Ray Thompson, Texas rough rider, artist in highest school of horsemanship, gaited horses, Wallace Shows, 1905; Minnie Thompson, from Dallas, Texas, wife of Ray Thompson, menage rider, Ray horse trainer & menage rider, Barnum & Bailey, 1906; Ray, educated bronchos and mustangs, Buffalo Bill's Wild West, 1908; Ray Thompson's troupe of western range horses, Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Pawnee Bill's Far East, 1909; Ray horse trainer, Buffalo Bill's Wild West and Pawnee Bill's Far East, 1911; Ray menage horses, vaudeville, lured away from circuses by salary offered, 1913; Ray, high school horses, Hugo Bros., 1915. Courier (Connellsville, PA), May 18, 1905; Atlanta (GA) Constitution, October 7, 1906; Mansfield (OH) May 28, 1908; Fort Wayne (IN) Sentinel, June 25, 1909; Fort Wayne (IN) Sentinel, June 29, 1911; Fort Wayne (IN) Journal-Gazette, March 16, 1913; Oelwein (IA) Register, May 19, 1915. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Roy Thompson, troupe of trained ponies and dogs, W. H. Coulter's, 1911. Adams County Free Press (Corning, IA), May 17, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
S. S. Thompson, agent, E. F. Davis, 1900. Billboard, May 28, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
William Thompson, twenty years ago the leader of Dan Rice's circus band, died at Mt. Vernon Monday. Marion Daily Star (Marion, OH), January 12, 1881, n.p.n. Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
William C. Thompson, press agent for Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus and a veteran newspaper man, died September 23 at Chicago, age 47. Mr. Thompson had been connected with the press department of Hagenbeck-Wallace during the Eastern tour this season, and finished with the show when it returned to the Middle West. When the Chicago engagement was contracted, he was re-engaged to handle the publicity. He begans life as a reporter on a Norwich, Conn. paper at an early age. He quit this position to go to Yale, from which college he graduated at the age of 23. He returned to Norwich as an editor, later going to New York and became city editor of The Telegram, remaining about fifteen years. In 1906 he gave up newspaper work and went out as press agent for Pawnee Bill's Wild West and Far East Show. He later was with Miller Bros.' 101 Ranch, Barnum & Bailey, the New York Hippodrome and Sparks Circus. He also furnished the big sideshow for the Hospital Benefit held in New York, where the entire third floor was filled by a big top, and a real sideshow put on. His assistant in this was Bert Cole, announcer for Hagenbeck-Wallace. He had about completed a circus scenario on which he had been working for some time, when death called him. The burial will be in New York. He is survived by a wife and mother. Billboard, October 5, 1918. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
W. J. Thorn, "Whitey," joined Al G. Kelly-Miller Bros. in 1940 as an elephant man and electrician. He married Mary Keys in 1941 and they were with Kelly-Miller until 1952, when they joined the King show, retiring in 1954. He then became a trick driver and maintenance man in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Born in 1904, he died December 26, 1980 in Oklahoma City. Circus Report, March 16, 1981, p. 12. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Charles Thrall, member of Le Mar troup of aeronauts, trapeze, performed with his brother. In an accident at Madison Square Garden, he fell, fractured his arms, otherwise no serious injury. His home is Bloomington, Illinois. Barnum & Bailey, 1910. New York Times stated that he was critically injured. Gleaner (Kingston, Jamacia), April 1, 1910; New York Times, March 25 & 26, 1910. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Roland F. Tiebor
1918: Captain Tiebor, with his trained seal, Frisco, has closed his vaudeville tour, and will remain for the holidays at least, at his home in Tonawanda, N.Y. Billboard, January 12, 1918, p. 28.
1987: He began training sea lions at age 14 when he joined his father working with sea lions. He joined Ringling-Barnum in 1929 and worked with them for 25 years with four sea lions acts. Later he was with Bertram Mills Circus in England. His wife, Mary, joined and was the first American female sea lion trainer. When Roland retired, he worked at the Aquarium in Niagara Falls, training dolphins and sea lions. Died February 10, 1987 at Palmetto, Florida, age 85. Circus Report, February 23, 1987, p. 12. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Charles Tiede, of Racine, Wisconsin, advance, Ringling Bros., 1908. 1909: "Charles Tiede, son of W. C. Tiede [William C.], of Main street left today for Philadelphia, where he will join the Advertising car of Ringling Brothers circus. . . . Mr. Tiede has been in the advertising department of the circus for the last four years . . . While he is gone his father will have charge of his son's interest in the new Orpheum theater." In July 1909 he resigned, to devote time to conducting his electric theater at Burlington, had been with Ringling past four years. He went back with Ringlings in 1915. Racine (WI) Daily Journal, April 14, 1908; Racine (WI) Journal, July 28, 1908; Racine (WI) Daily Journal, April 24, 1909; Racine (WI) Journal-News, October 27, 1915. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
James Cook Tiffiny, agent with Barnum & Bailey for many years. Died September 1, 1907 at Providence, Rhode Island, age 42. Originally from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Billboard, September 14, 1907. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
William R. Timmerman was a trouper for over 60 years. At an early age he trouped the Orient and spent many years with circuses in India. He originated the "Great Double Flash" in his sharpshooting act. Born in Sioux City, Iowa in 1891, he died at Kirkland, Washington, December 20, 1974, internment at Holyrood Cemetery, Seattle, Washington. Southern Sawdust, No. 82, February, 1975, p. 20. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Frieda LaVelda Timson was a performer on Conroy Bros., Eddy Kuhn, Dan Rice, Vandenburg Bros., Bud E. Anderson, Beers & Barnes, Kelly-Miller, Bisbee's Comedians, Herbert Walters Comedians. She previously married Ted LaVelda and they owned Monroe Bros. Circus in the late 1940s. Born in Sweden, died March 5, 1985 at Des Moines, Iowa, age 82. Circus Report, April 29, 1985, p. 21. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Edward A. Tinkham fainted from the bursting of a blood vessel while he was listening to a minstrel performance at the Grand Opera House in Rochester, one evening last week, and died two hours later. During the last four years he has been contracting agent of Barnum's show, and before that he held a similar position in the employ of W. C. Coup. He was 46 years of age, and one of the most widely known showmen in the country. News (Frederick, MD), January 14, 1886. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Captain John Tiebor, trained seals, Grotto Circus, 1941. "Conn. Fans Buck Snow to Attend Indoor Circus," White Tops, Vol. 14, Nos. 4-5 (Feb-Mar), 1941, p. 8. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Ross Titus, canvas man, murdered last Monday, Sells-Floto, 1909. Anaconda (MT) Standard, Friday, July 16, 1909. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Jim Todd, blacksmith, Ringling Bros., 1908. Fort Wayne (IN) Sentinel, August 4, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Frank Tosky March 28, 1891 - July 7, 1976
Frank "Tad" Tosky, clown, was in show business over 50 years. He started in the business full time after playing with the Green Bay football team for four years. He worked as a high wire acrobat with a vaudeville troupe in the early 1900s. Was with Dan Rice, Campbell Bros., Hagenbeck-Wallace, Ringling and Beatty circuses. Died July 7, 1976 at Chicago, Illinois, age 85. Circus Report, July 19, 1976, p. 3.
In 1975 Tad was residing at the Bohemian Home, Chicago, Illinois, and was awarded the Pal Joey Trophy for 60 years of clowning by the Pal Joey Clown Association. Southern Sawdust, No. 83, May, 1975, p. 7.
During his career, in which he became known as one of America's most active clowns, he served with the Dan Rice Circus, Campbell Brothers Circus, the famed Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, and Ringling Brothers, which he joined in 1933. He also performed with Clyde Beatty and Frank "Bring-'Em-Back-Alive" Buck. After his retirement Mr. Tosky spent his time painting clowns, particularly Emmett Kelly, whose early career he encouraged. Mr. Tosky is survived by his widow, Emma; two sons, Robert Tosby and Richard Tosky, and three grandchildren. Chicago Tribune, July 9, 1976.
Tosky authored a book, Clowning from six to sixty, published in 1973.
Photos courtesy of Gregg K. Schrader.
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Francois G. Tournaire, son of Benoit Tournaire, and cousin of Josephine Demott, known by many circus people, died in Bransford(?), Pa., January 1?. New York Clipper, February 1, 1896, p. 761. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Cal Towers, side show, John Robinson Circus, 1907; Towers was youngest soldier in the civil war, age 11 when he enlisted, has a gold medal to prove it.(1) "Veteran Circus Man is Home to Spend Winter After Season with Robinson. Cal Towers, the veteran circus barker, who has been out with the Robinson shows during the season just ended, has returned to his home for the winter. Towers is one of the oldest men in the business, and his voice still retains the fog-horn qualities that have made him known all over the country as a spieler. He is now one of the most prominent showmen in the country."(2) Twenty years ago (1893) Cal Towers left to be with Robinson Circus this season.(3) In a 1921 interview Cal Towers stated he was 53 years in circuses, from drummer boy in side show to assistant manager. Started 1865, left circuses in 1918. First with John Robinson shows.(4) Capt. Cal Towers, sold tickets, museum' exhibition, 1884.(5) "Muscatine, June 23. Mrs. Carrie Towers, age 74, widow of Cal Towers who died a year ago, died yesterday. An adopted son, Wesley, and a son E. A. Towers.(6) Carrie Towers was listed as a widow in Muscatine, Iowa City Directory, January 1, 1923.
1918: Cal Towers began his show career in '65 and is now manager of the sideshow with the Sparks Circus. Billboard, May 11, 1918, p. 45.
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1. Waterloo (IA) Daily Courier, June 11, 1907.
2. Muscatine (IA) Journal, November 14, 1910.
3. Muscatin (IA) Journal, April 19, 1913.
4. Muscatine (IA) Journal and News-Tribune, June 17, 1921.
5. Decatur (IA) Morning Review, May 6, 1884.
6. Davenport (IA) Democrat and Leader, June 23, 1924.
Mrs. Rose Toyer has recovered and with her husband will join the Cole and Lockwood Circus, April 30, 1894. New York Clipper, April 21, 1894, p. 102. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Joseph L. Tracy, animal trainer, died September 1, 1964. Bandwagon, Sep-Oct, 1964, p. 3. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Traviola Troupe (Traviolla?), juggling, Norris & Rowe, 1905. Woodland (CA) Daily Democrat, April 11, 1905; Daily Nevada State Journal (Reno, NV), April 12, 1905. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
John Travers, an old circus man, died at the City Hospital, Louisville, Ky., Nov. 27 [1906], after a long illness from jaundice and general debility. He was fifty-five years of age, and in his early days traveled with a number of circus companies. He was a performer on the trapeze, and traversed the globe during this career. A sister and daughter survive him. New York Clipper, December 8, 1906, p. 1114. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this person.
Warren Lincoln Travis, strongman, Barnum & Bailey, 1907; John Robinson 10 Big Shows, 1905, 1909, 1910. Travis was a weight lifting champion. Newark (OH) Advocate, May 1, 1905; New York Times, May 13, 1908; Duble, C. E., "John Robinson 10 Big Shows, 1911," SPEC, December, 1941, pp. 2-3; Titusville (PA) Morning Herald, May 22, 1909; Evening Tribune (Marysville, OH), April 23, 1910; Newark (OH) Advocate, May 1, 1905. Travis, age 66, Coney Island, strongman, lifted a 1,000 pound cannon ball on July 13th as part of his sideshow routine, then collapsed and died. Has been a physical instructor in a police department circa 1896, won strongman competitions in the US and Canada. White Tops, Vol. 14, Nos. 10-11 (Aug-Sep), 1941, p. 2. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Capt. Treat and wife, trained seals, Forepaugh shows, 1908; in vaudeville 1909; trained sea lions, vaudeville, 1916. Fort Wayne (IN) Journal-Gazette, November 2, 1908; Waterloo (IA) Times-Tribune, July 9, 1909; Manitoba (Winnipeg, Canada) Free Press, November 27, 1916. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
John Trewolla. To circus managers. John H. Trewolla, clown and ringmaster, can be engaged for the coming season. Address until Feb. 20, Richmond, Va. [Advertisement] New York Clipper, February 10, 1877, p. 367. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Charles A. Trexler, of New York City, formerly of Reading. Pa., a former circus employee, died of dropsy last week at the home of his brother, Harry Trexler, 240 Cherry street, New York. He traveled with the Barnum & Bailey Circus for nearly twenty years as property manager, visiting foreign countries with that show. Eight years ago he became watchman at the Madison Square Garden. He was unmarried. Surviving are two brothers, Harry and William, and two half-brothers. George Whitman and Frank Whitman, the latter a celebrated violinist, now appearing in London, England. Billboard, April 30, 1921, p. 51. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Trostl - Evy, 17, member of the Great Arturo high wire act, died as a result of fall from the wire Nov. 14, 1951 during afternoon performance of Polack Bros. Eastern Unit, at the Baltimore Armory. Bandwagon, December, 1952, p. 9. Information should be checked with additional sources
E. A. Trueblood, menage, assist ring stock, Hagenbeck-Wallace 1924. White Tops, Vol. 16, Nos. 3-4 (Feb-Mar), 1943, p. 7. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Massimiliano Truzzi, billed as the "World's Greatest Juggler," during his years on Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, was born in Lodz, Poland, December 4, 1903. With his father, Enrico Truzzi, he managed the Circus Truzzi before coming to the United States in 1940 to join Ringling-Barnum. Truzzi learned the art of juggling from the Italian juggler, Enroco Rastelli. Massimilian died October 31, 1974 at Sarasota, Florida. Southern Sawdust, No. 82, February, 1975, p. 11. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
F. E. Tryon, press representative, Gollmar Bros., 1908. Gazette (Stevens Point, WI), July 15, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
McCullem Tunkins, "Tommy," began in 1927 working in the cookhouse on Sells-Floto. Later worked for Hagenbeck-Wallace, Cole Bros. and Dailey Bros. Then was a porter on Royal American Shows. Died May 11, 1980 at Tampa, Florida, age 76. Circus Report, June 9, 1980, p. 10. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Elsie Turner (Jung), web, spec and menage performer, joined the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus in the late 1930s. She married Paul Jung and later they joined Ringling-Barnum, traveling with the show for many years. They also operated the Paul Jung Laugh Factory in Tampa, Florida. She later married Noel Turner. Died May 15, 1987 at Tampa. Circus Report, January 11, 1988, p. 13. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Percy Turner owned Turner Bros. Circus. His show toured Southern California in 1958-59. He was also a sign painter. Died October 6, 1984 at San Diego, California, age 75. Circus Report, October 22, 1984, p. 12. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Red Turner, canvass, Ely's Combined Shows, 1900. Billboard, June 30, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Fred Phillip Turney was a wire walker and trapeze performer who toured with Campbell Bros. Circus as "The Great Signo" from 1899 to 1911. He left the circus and worked as a brick layer at Coraopolis, Pennsylvania. Died March 14, 1982 at Coraopolis, age 97. Circus Report, April 12, 1982, p. 25. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Jules Turnour enjoys the distinction of having been in the employ of the show as a clown longer than any other one of the famous merry-makers whose names are emblazoned on the roster of the World’s Greatest Show. He has been “making them laugh” in the rings of the Ringlings for five years in succession. Jules is also the popular and painstaking mail agent of the Show. Offical Route Book of Ringling Bros. World’s Greatest Railroad Shows, Season of 1893, Buffalo, NY: Courier Co., 1893. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Turnour. Mrs. Richard Williams died in this city Oct. 13, 1892, and was buried in Woodlawn Cemetery. The deceased was a daughter of Mrs. Hepsy Turnour, and the mother of Ed. Turnour and Cyrene. She was a sister of Millie, Thomas and Jules Tournour. She was about firty-five years old. New York Clipper, November 5, 1892, p. 557. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Tybell Sisters, ladders, Shipp's Indoor Circus, 1905; iron jaw, Sells-Floto, 1908; three sisters, iron jaw, Forepaugh-Sells, 1910-1911. Cedar Rapids (IA) Evening Gazette, February 21, 1905; Reno (NV) Evening Gazette, May 12, 1908; Bedford (PA) Gazette, April 29, 1910; Charleroi (PA) Mail, April 28, 1910; New Castle (PA) News, April 29, 1910; Newark (OH) Advocate, April 29, 1911; Charleroi (PA) Mail, April 27, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Ed Tyler, Forepaugh-Sells, 1908. Coshocton, Ohio man, left town to go with circus, will sail in about 3 weeks for 3 year tour of Europe. Coshocton (OH) Daily Age, September 21, 1908. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
Harry Tyler, high diving dog "Charlie," Sells-Gray, 1900. Billboard, May 21, 1900. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
J. Maurice Tyree (Jake), assistant manager of the Academy of Music at Lynchburg, Va. (his home town), the past winter, has been drafted in the army. Prior to his connection with the Academy of Music Mr. Tyree was ahead of the F. S Wolcott Minstrels. He has also been ahead of a number of circuses and was contracted with the John Robinson Circus for the opposition brigade this season. Billboard, April 6, 1918, p. 28. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
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Uyeno Japanese Troupe, juggling, acrobats, Howe's Great London, 1911. Daily Courier (Connellsville, PA) April 19, 1911. Information should be checked with additional sources Can you add information? Email your documented information for this/these person(s).
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