No Tom, he only traveled with the circus a few years then went on to play in dance bands etc. He supposedly performed on Christmas Day in a big parade down Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA. for the grand opening of the Fox Theatre. Then played for the first silent movie. He co-authored the American Legion March. He was a colorful character and told my brother and I many stories of his family and childhood growing up at the turn of the century. He was 43 years old when I was born and I was his first child, so I've had many advantages that other people have not had the chance to enjoy. He saw Halley's Comet when he was a kid and told me that he would not live to see it again, but I would. It was a frightful experience to the people back then, but not when we saw it. He saw 8 strong men hold down a man who died with rabies. I could go on and on. He was a wonderful father.
Was your grandfather with the circus when they had the great train wreck? I believe that was back in the 20's. I have not found online many pictures of the Ringling Bros; specifically the band. Dad used to talk about the DeLong Sisters acrobatic team. Have you heard of them? Just think! I'll bet your grandfather and my dad knew each other. Dad always made it a point to seek out any Parkers, if they were around because he liked genealogy too. He's the reason I got "bitten" with hunting dead people. LOL! Maybe we can help each other.
Hi Charlene, I know what you mean about a brick wall. I have been stuck in my research on my Grandfather for awhile now. I have tried Ancestry.com, but without success and I'm not sure where to go now. Billboard magazine has been helpful in finding out where he was performing over the years, but I would really like to find out more on his family...who his parents are and if he had any brothers or sisters. It sounds like your father had a really interesting life. Have you checked online for any websites that have photographs of circus performers? I found a website that has colored photographs of Ringling Bros. from the 1940's and 1950's. Was your father in the circus at that time?
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No Tom, he only traveled with the circus a few years then went on to play in dance bands etc. He supposedly performed on Christmas Day in a big parade down Peachtree Street, Atlanta, GA. for the grand opening of the Fox Theatre. Then played for the first silent movie. He co-authored the American Legion March. He was a colorful character and told my brother and I many stories of his family and childhood growing up at the turn of the century. He was 43 years old when I was born and I was his first child, so I've had many advantages that other people have not had the chance to enjoy. He saw Halley's Comet when he was a kid and told me that he would not live to see it again, but I would. It was a frightful experience to the people back then, but not when we saw it. He saw 8 strong men hold down a man who died with rabies. I could go on and on. He was a wonderful father.
Was your grandfather with the circus when they had the great train wreck? I believe that was back in the 20's. I have not found online many pictures of the Ringling Bros; specifically the band. Dad used to talk about the DeLong Sisters acrobatic team. Have you heard of them? Just think! I'll bet your grandfather and my dad knew each other. Dad always made it a point to seek out any Parkers, if they were around because he liked genealogy too. He's the reason I got "bitten" with hunting dead people. LOL! Maybe we can help each other.