The Ringling family lived in poverty in Iowa in the 1800s, with the father working as a harness maker. By 1869 there were 7 boys in the family. As children, the Ringling brothers saw their first circus and were inspired to start their own small penny circus, which included a bullfrog and birds. In the 1880s as young men, they began travelling with their growing circus through Midwest states, initially performing in town halls before obtaining their own tent in 1884. The Ringling brothers went on to build a hugely successful circus featuring animals, clowns, and aerialists.

1. By BreAnna

2. FAMILY AND CHILDHOOD
The Ringling Family
lived in McGregor, Iowa
during the 1800’s.
They were a poor family.
The father made horse
harnesses for a living.
By 1869 their were 7 boys
in the family.

3. CHILDHOOD
 The family had a harness
shop, but it had a hard
time competing with the
large factories that made
harnesses with
machines.
 The Ringling boys had to
work in the harness shop
by the age of 10.

4.  The Ringling brothers first
attended a circus called
“Dan Rice’s Famous River
Circus.”
 After seeing the circus, the
Ringling boys decided to
make their own penny
circus.
 Some things in their circus
included; a gigantic bull
frog, a chicken, an English
sparrow, and a yellow
canary.

5. YOUNG ADULTHOOD
 In the 1880’s the Ringling
brothers travelled with
their circus around
Wisconsin, Iowa,
Minnesota, and South
Dakota.
 They had ‘Hall Shows,”
which are performances
held in town halls. They
did not have their own
tent until 1884.

6. ADULT
• The Ringling brothers
had very successful
shows.
• Animals such as deer,
camels, zebus, and
horses were part of the
acts.
• The circus hosted clown
families, jugglers, and
many aerialists.

7.  Today, the Feld family
owns the huge circus,
and it still runs in
Baraboo, Wisconsin. It
is called, “Ringling Bros.
and Barnum and Bailey;
The Greatest Show on
Earth.”