Silverlake (Timberlake) Circus History Outline
Vaudeville Act and Minstrel Act
Archie Silverlake and father, Melvin
Timberlake (late 1800's)
Vaudeville Act
Archie Silverlake and wife
Melvin Harry Sr. "Brownie" a baby (early 1900's)
Gollmar Bros and Schuman (1901-1902)
1902-1903 (courier)
Brothers Silverlake - The Flying Men of the Air in Terrific Leaps and
Somersaults
(Archie Silverlake? and Arthur Silverlake Sr.?)
Wiedemann's Shows (1906-1911)
Wiedemann Bros Shows
Wiedemann Bros Big American Show and Custer's Last Charge
Wiedemann's kit Carson Show
Brownie's mother, Maud Ethel Brockett dies ( ? )
Brownie still a child
Tom Mix (1909)
Tom Mix looked after Brownie, made sure he had supper
every night
M L Clark and
Son's, M L Clark and Son's and Wild West Shows (1902-1921, 1923-1930,
1943, 1945-1946)
The Silverlakes - contortion, aerialists
(Billboard, 3-19-1910, pg54)
Downie and Wheeler Circus (1911-1913)
Silverlake Brothers - clowns
(Billboard 7-15-1911, pg58)
Signor Sautelle's
Circus, 9 Big Shows (1911-1914)
1913 (from program)
Sig. Sautelle's 9 Big Shows
Silverlake - flying trapeze
(Frank?) Coyle and Silverlake - Contortionist
The Silverlakes
(Billboard 5-24-1913, pg23)
Archie and
Melvin Silverlake
Brownie Silverlake - Cowboy
(Billboard 8-23-1913, pg21)
LaTena (1914-1917)
LaTena's Big 3 Ring Wild Animal Circus
Flying Silverlakes - aerialists
Brownie - clown
(Billboard 5-30-1914, pg22)
Silverlakes - Contortionists
(Wellsboro Agitator Penn, 5-3-1916)
Sells Floto Circus (1906-1932)
1919 (from program)
Aerial Silverlakes - Double Trapeze
Aerial Silverlakes - Roman Rings
LaRoy's Circus (1922-1925)
8-14-1922
LaRue Ohio
Silverlakes (three) aerialists
(Billboard 9-9-1922, pg69)
Miller Bros 101 Ranch Wild West (1907-1916,
1925-1931, 1933-1934, 1945-1946)
Brownie Silverlake was a cowboy (...)
The Mighty Haag Shows
(1894-1938)(1891-1938?)
(Ruby Fisher Haag 1928-1935)
Josephine Fisher
Brownie
Silverlake
(Silverlake Trio - Brownie,...)
Silverlakes aerialists (2-16-1929, 8-5-1933)
2-9-1929
The Silverlakes
Four Fisher Sisters - Acrobats and Aerialists
(Billboard 2-16-1929, pg62)
Walker Bros Circus
(1925-1928, 1992...)
Brownie and Josephine Silverlake (...?...)
Tiger Bills Wild West
(1909-1936, 1941, 1952)
2-13-1932
at Cincinnati
Miss Silverlake - Single Traps
Silverlake Trio - flying rings
Mrs. Silverlake - Traps and Web
Silverlakes - Double Traps
(Billboard 2-20-1932, pg30)
Al F Wheeler Circus and Tiger Bill Wild West (1932)
5-14-1932
Silverlake Family - aerialists
(Billboard 5-21-1932, pg 33)
Wheeler and Almond Circus
(1933)
AL F.
Wheeler and Jethro Almond - owners
The Silverlakes
(Billboard 10-21-1933, pg29)
The Mighty Haag Shows
(1894-1938)(1891-1938?)
Billy Silverlake - Spanish Web (8-5-1933)
Silverlake - Roman Ladders, Swinging Ladders, Double Traps
Almond and Conley 3 Ring Circus and
Menagerie
(1934)
Brownie and Josephine Silverlake, Fred and Frieda Conley
- pony drills, comedy circus
(3-10-1934 billboard magazine)
Brownie Silverlake and Company
(4-21-1934
billboard)
Rosie and Helen Silverlake
- Swinging Ladders
Rossi Brothers and Brownie Silverlake - Rope Spinning
Brownie Silverlake - head of clowns
Silverlake Trio - comedy Roman rings
Brownie Silverlake and Jim Conley- monkey highdives
(5-13-1934 billboard)
The Silverlakes - Roman Rings
(6-16-1934
billboard)
Brownie Silverlake Company
(10-13-1934 billboard)
Kay Bros Circus (1918-1941, 1951, 1988-1989)
1934 (from program)
Miss Billy Silverlake - web
Silverlake Trio - roman rings
Silverlakes - double trapeze
11-10-1934
Three
Silverlakes
(Billboard 11-17-34, pg35)
1935 (from newspaper
ad)
Silverlakes - Aerialists
Bud Hawkins Circus (March 1936 - Aug 1936)
(Ruby, Josephine, Arthur - Fisher Troupe of Acrobats)
(Harry Haag Jr. - Equestrian Director)
(Ruby Haag - Trained Dogs)
George Silverlake - Front Door
Downie Bros Circus
(1926-1939, 1985-1989, 1994)
The Silverlakes (...?...)
Pagel's Circus (...1937...)
Dutton Units
(...January - July... 1937)
The Silverlakes - Double Trapeze Act
Transvall - South Africa (6,000 feet above sea level)
(Billboard 7-17-1937, pg38)
Walter W Gentry
Circus and Bar S Ranch Real Wild West Shows(1938-1939)
1938
Brownie Silverlake and his champion riders
Billie Lake - Slack Wire
(from poster ad)
Bud E Anderson's Circus (1923-1925,
1939-1941, 1944-1945)
various titles, Bud E Anderson Jungle Oddities Circus
Silverlake Troupe of aerialists 4-1939
(2 men and 2 women)
Tiger Bill - wild west act
5-13-1939
Elizabeth Silverlake - Traps
Jonny Mae Silverlake - iron jaw
The Silverlakes - Double Traps
(Billboard 5-20-1939, pg32)
1938-1950 -
Arthur Lake (Silverlake) plays Dagwood Bumstead
in Blondie (Penny
Singleton) (28 films)
Various Fairs
Rowe Bros Circus
(1940)
1940
Archie Silverlake - Clown
(from photo on Buckles blog)
Arthur Bros Circus
(1943-1945)
The Silverlakes (hand balancers)
Archie Silverlake - Hollywood Stunt Show
Archie Silverlake - Helps direct the Girls of 1945
(Billboard 7-3-1943, pg38,55)
Mills Bros (1940-1967)
Silverlake (aerial) 1945
Sparks Circus (1889, 1894-1931, 1946-1947)
1946 (from program)
Maxine Silverlake - Aerial Ballet
Maxine Silverlake - Roman Rings
Miss Silverlake - Swinging Ladder
Barr Bros (1941-1946)(1950-1951)
(former Fisher and Sons Show)
Myrna Silverlake (1946)
Banard Bros,
Barnard Bros Circus and Rodeo
(...1945-1946...)
Silverlake Family (3-23-1946)
3-16-1946
Silverlake Family
(Billboard 3-23-1946,
pg75)
5-18-1946
Silverlake Family - riders
Mrs. Silverlake and Myrna Silverlake (9 yrs
old) - swinging ladder
Myrna Silverlake (9 yrs old) - single traps,
performing mule
Silverlakes - comedy acrobatics
Silverlakes - comedy
(Billboard 5-25-1946, pg80)
Myrna Silverlake and Bobby Troy - single traps
Josephine and Brownie Silverlake - roman rings, whips and ropes, riders
Brownie - horse catching, clowning
Elaine Addison, Josephine and Myrna Silverlake - swinging ladder
Miss Kern, Miss Adea, Myrna - performing mule
Silverlakes - comedy acrobatics
Silverlakes - comedy
Jargo clown
Archie and Maxine Silverlake - roman rings, web, single traps
Mills Bros, Mills Bros 3 Ring Circus (1940-1967)
1947 - (from route book)
Archie, Josephine, Brownie, Myrna Silverlake
Johnnie May Snyder
Clowns: Brownie, Marcus, Franklin Silverlake
5-28-1947 (from Program)
The Flying Silverlakes - Trapeze
4-26-1947
Brownie Silverlake - clown
Josephine Silverlake - swinging ladders
Jonnie Mae Snyder - Single Traps, Spanish Web, Cloud Swing
Myrna Silverlake
The Silverlakes - double
traps, aerialists, Roman Rings
Fisher Family - Puppets
(Billboard 5-3-1947, pg80)
The Flying
Silverlakes
(Syracuse NY, Zanesville Signal 4-28-1947)
9-22-1947
The Flying Silverlakes
(newspaper ad, 1947)
1948 (from program)
Silverlake Family - Myrna, Archie, Josephine, Brownie
Jonnie Mae Snyder
Clowns - Brownie, Franklin, Marcus, Melvin Silverlake
Brownie, Franklin, Marcus Silverlake - Trick Roping and Horse Catching
Silverlake Family (1948)
Brownie Silverlake - roping, rope spinner at concert (1948)
Josephine - personnel (1948)
Myrna Silverlake (1947-1948)
Archie Silverlake (...1948...) aerialist
1948
Single Trapeze. Ring 1, Josephine and Silverlake; Ring 2, Myrna Silverlake,
assisted by grandfather, Archie Silverlake; Ring 3, Jonnie Mae Snyder.
Performing Dogs. Ring 1, Donna Drew; Ring 2, Josephine Silverlake; Ring 3,
Jeannette Wallace.
Clowns Number: Jargo. Presented by Brownie Silverlake.
Clown Band, Brownie Silverlake leader.
Flying Rings and Cloud Swing. Ring 1, Allen and Ellen Knight, flying rings; Ring
2, Jonnie Mae Snyder, cloud swings; Ring 3, Silverlake Trio, flying rings.
Menage Horses. Ring 1, Georgia Sweet, Margie Butchers, Martha Ali; Ring 2,
Jonnie Mae Snyder, Jeannette Wallace, Donna Drew; Ring 3, Ellen Knight, Eddie
Mason.
Clowns: Roy and Joy Thomas, producing (Joy one of two female clowns now active
in America); Willie Clark, Brownie Silverlake, Steve Crowe, Marcus Silverlake,
Franklin Silverlake, Melvin Silverlake.
Bandwagon,# 5 (Jun), 1948, pp. 9-10.
Melvin (5), Archie (65),
Josephine, Jimmie, Brownie, Johnnie Mae, Franklin, Marcus, Myrna
(The Post Standard, Syracuse NY 7-29-1948 photo)
Robbins Bros Circus (1924-1931 railroad,1931-1932,1938
railroad,1940, 1949, 1965)
Brownie Silverlake and Family join -
(5-16-1949)
clowning and other acts
Myrna Silverlake (1949)
Brown Brothers - Your International
Harvester Dealer
Family Party in Our Show Room
1-9-1951
Brownie Silverlake Acts:
Clown Acts
Comical Acrobats
Silverlake Trained Dog Act
Comical Trapeze Performances
(The Daily Register, Harrisburg Ill, 1-8-1951)
Warner Bros Circus (1952)
Archie Silverlake (1952)
Stevens Bros Circus (1932-1933,1946-1952)
Myrna Silverlake (1952?)
Wallace and Clark (1951-1953,
1960-1963)
1953 (from route card)
Brownie, Myrna, Josephine Silverlake
Clowns: Archie Silverlake, Melvin Silverlake
6-6-1953
Brownie Silverlake - dogs
Brownie Silverlake, Archie Silverlake, Melvin Silverlake - Clowns
Myrna Silverlake - Atomic Girl, in concert
(Billboard 6-13-1953, pg53)
Brownie and Josephine Silverlake - big show performers
Ring Bros
(1953-1957, 1992
Myrna Silverlake (1953)
Patterson Bros Circus(?)
Brownie Silverlake - clown (5-15-1954)
Josephine Silverlake - dogs (5-15-1954)
Von Bros (1954-1967)
(4-16-1955)
Clover S.C.
Marcus Timberlake - Billposter
Melvin Timberlake and Jimmie Timberlake - Pony Ride
Josephine Silverlake and Myrna Silverlake - ladder act
Aerial Franklins (Silverlakes), Double Trapeze
Myrna Silverlake - Contortion
Josephine Silverlake's K9s
Brownie Silverlake's Clowns
Helen Fisher, Josephine Silverlake, Myrna Silverlake - Web Act
Brownie Silverlake - Jargo
Silverlake Trio - Roman Rings
(Billboard 4-23-1955, pg62)
Carson & Barnes Circus
(1957-1963,1965- )
1957
Archie Silverlake - clown (info from Jack Bennett)
Adams Brothers and Seils Brothers
Circus (1959)
Archie G. Silverlake - Clown (1959)
Hoxie Bros Circus (1943,1947-49,1961-84)
Franklin Silverlake (1961)
photo from Buckles Blog
Sells Bros Circus
1962
Janice Silverlake and Chiki Noble - Dogs
Frank Silverlake - Mechanic
Janice Silverlake - Swinging Ladders
Birnum Bros (1964-1966)
Myrna Silverlake (1964)
Brownie Silverlake - Rope Spinning (1964)
Josephine Silverlake
Sells and Gray
Circus (1900-1901, 1960-1978)
Joe Silverlake - bill poster (...1967)
Clark and
Walters Circus (1964-1972)
Mel Silverlake - owner (1966-1967)
6-26-1967 - Brownie and Josephine Silverlake buy
Myrna Ratcliff - booking agent
2-4-1968
Brownie and Josephine Silverlake owners
Mel Silverlake - Manager and Booker
3 elephants
Summer 1968 - Clay City, Kentucky
John G. Martin (veterinarian) - examines elephant, chimp, python
(the story is written in, "Doc My Tiger's got an Itch")
Josephine and Melvin Silverlake
1969 (from program)
Mel Silverlake - Tom Thumb Circus with King Kong and his firey mount Ginger
Myrna and Marlin - Swinging Ladders
Brownie - Clowns
Joe Silverlake - Comedy Goats
Joe Silverlake - K9 Revue
Brownie - Miss Thai from Thailand
Mel Silverlake - Norma Jean the Elephant with La Torche
Suzie the Llama
Mel Silverlake - Performing Elephants
4-1969
Melvin Silverlake - Manager, Pony drill, Elephants
James Silverlake - Assistant Manager
Myrna and Ron Ratcliff - Rodent show
Myrna and Marlin - Web and Ladders
Myrna - Acrobatic Contortion and Dogs
Joe - Single traps and military goats
Brownie and Franklin - Clown alley
Ralph and Naomi Carpenter - Snow and cool drinks
Fred and Ruby Brown - Concessions
Josephine Silverlake - designed coloring book
called Clark and Walters Wild Animal Circus
1969 (from flyer)
Jim Silverlake
Regal Python - over 20 feet long, 200lbs
1970
Josephine Silverlake
Ruby Haag - Cook
Harry Haag Jr. - Elephant
1971
Regal Python
Brownie Silverlake - clown
Melvin "Mel" Silverlake - riding monkey
1971 (from flyer)
Jim Silverlake
Regal Python - over 20 feet long, 200lbs
1971 - (from Program)
Mel Silverlake - Riding Monkey
Norma Jean the Elephant
Brownie Silverlake - Clown
Aerial Ballet - Swinging Ladder, Anchor Perch
Miss Thai - Cigarette Smoking Monkey
Miss Marlyn Anita - Spanish Web
Trained Goats
Little Suzie the Llama from the Andes - Presented by Brownie Silverlake
Willie the Worm - 300 lb 27 foot Python
Debbie the Giant Ape
6-1971
Josephine Timberlake
Jim Timberlake
Joe Timberlake
Jim Timberlake - Norma Jean the Elephant
Mel Silverlake - Pony Riding Monkey, Beer Drinking and Cigarette Smoking Monkey
Mel Silverlake - Suzie the Llama
Joe Timberlake - Dogs
(Southern Sawdust 11-1971, pg16)
1972 (from program)
Mel Silverlake - Tom Thumb Circus
Miss Thai - Monkey
Norma Jean the Performing Elephant
Marlyn Anita - Spanish Web
Comedy Goats
Little Suzie the Llama from the Andes Mountains
Willie the Worm - 200lb 24ft Regal Python
Debbie the Giant Ape
1972
Melvin "Mel" owner
from White Tops July Aug. 2001:
Brownie Silverlake - rope spinning, clowning, monkey named Thai
Melvin and Jim - elephants
Franklin - mechanic
Franklin and Myrna - Roman rings
Joe - rola bola, single traps, swinging perch, juggling
2nd season:
acts - included goat, llama and dogs
Marlyn Hoffstettler and B.K. Duke -
joined to do web, single trapeze, swinging ladder
B.K. Duke - booking agent
Maylyn and B.K. - present elephants
Sharon Hoffstettler - web, ladder
Josephine - bookkeeping, supplies, front door tickets
1973 - Josephine closes
Clark and Walters
joins Fisher Bros Circus
Carson & Barnes Circus
(1957-1963,1965- )
D.R. Miller and Associates - owners (1971-1984)
Ruby Haag Brown - Jewelry (1971-72?)
Fred Brown - Mechanic
Fisher Bros.
Circus (1923, 1934-1935,1971-1974, 1975,
1978, 1989)
Mel Silverlake - owner (1971-1974, 1976?)
Mel Silverlake and B.K. Silverlake - owners (1989)
Opens 5-1971
10-1971
Melvin Silverlake - Owner and Manager
Kathy Silverlake - Single Trapeze and High diving dog
Cheryl Haag - Spanish Web and Swinging Ladder
Harry Haag and Volunteers - Bareback Riding Academy
Ruby Haag - Miss Ruby's Dog Act
Mel -
Elephant Dixie
1973 - Josephine joins Fisher Bros Circus
Lewis Bros. Circus (1931-1942, 1945, 1973-1976)
Jimmy Silverlake - owner (1972?, 1973)
John Lewis breaks
partnership with Jimmy Silverlake
3-1973
Jimmy Silverlake owns show
Myrna Ratcliff - General Agent at Norman Indiana
4-1973
Jimmy and Marlyn Silverlake
Cheryl Haag - Loop Walk and Trapeze
Pat Haag - Super Dog
Alice Haag - Horse Riding
Kim Haag - Standing on Horse Riding
Marlyn Silverlake - Web and Swinging Ladder
6-1973
Ruby Ann Haag (8 yrs old)
Ruby Haag Brown - Cook
Fred Brown - Maintenance
Barnes and Daily
Circus (1974)
renamed from Lewis Bros
(Photos by Hartland
Smith)
Jimmy Silverlake - owner (1974)
Former Fisher Bros Drummer
Clowns
Jugglers
Aerialists
Rolling Globe
Calliope and Ring Master
1975 Barnes and Daily sold to John Strong
Fisher Bros.
Circus (1923, 1934-1935,1971-1974, 1975,
1978, 1989)
Mel Silverlake - owner (1971-1974, 1976?)
Mel Silverlake and B.K. Silverlake - owners (1989)
2-1974
Melvin and Bessie Kathrine "BK" Silverlake - owners
Brownie Silverlake - Snake Show
(3 generations of Silverlakes)
Brownie and Josephine Silverlake
sons: Melvin and Joe
Melvin's son Melvin Ray
Raymond and Emma Duke
daughter: B K Silverlake
B K's son Melvin Ray
(date? 1974)
Gloria Null - Web, Trampoline
Peggy Null - Organist
Antonette "Toni" - Drummer
Toni married in cookhouse (1974?)
Myrna Ratcliff
1975
Janice Ruth "JR" Ratcliff - Trapeze
Raymond Duke - Agent
Myrna Ratcliff
3-1975
Joe Silverlake and Gloria Null - jugglers
Mary Diane - swinging ladder, dogs
Brownie Silverlake - trained monkey
Joe Silverlake - swinging anchor
Gloria Null - spanish web
educated llama
elephant
hippo
cloud swing
clowns
closing words "Good luck, God bless and may the
Good Lord take a liking to you"
*** Silverlakes mentioned in, Nothing Funny about a Dead
Elephant
by Jack Bennett
1975 - Mel leased hippo to Royal Bros, Al Stencell and John Frazier
Hoxie Bros Circus
(...1961-1984)
Jimmy Silverlake - manager (1975)
____________?_________________
1976? - Melvin Silverlake
Josephine Silverlake - selling peanuts and novelties, taking tickets
9-16-1976
Circus at local department store in Great Bend Kansas
Brownie Silverlake of Donna Texas - Snake Show
Mid-America Circus (...1976...)
Mel Silverlake - Circus Manager (...1976...)
American Big Top Circus (...1977...)
(...?...)
Josephine Silverlake
Joe Silverlake
(...1977...)
Brownie Timberlake - elephant trainer
Melvin Timberlake
Susie the elephant
Ford Bros Circus (...1977...)
Brownie Silverlake - monkey smoking cigarettes
- sold tickets for snake show, owned by Melvin Silverlake
Great American Circus (1875,
1886-1889, 1896, 1929, 1939, 1978-1981, 1985-1994)
Jim Silverlake - owner
(1978-1982)
Hoxie Bros Circus
(...1961-1984)
Melvin Silverlake - concessions (...1980...)
Jules and Beck
(1982-1988, ...2005...)
"Col. Mel" Melvin Silverlake - peanut sales
(...1980...)
Roller Bros Circus
(1983 - 1986)
Jimmy and Joe Silverlake (1983...)
Toby Tyler Circus (1985-1988)
Melvin Silverlake - gorilla show, snake show, pony ride on the midway
Mel Silverlake - Assistant Manager ( date ? )
Robinson's Racing
Pigs
(1985-1998...)
Naomi and Myrna (3 years)
Melvin (1985-1998...)
Mel Silverlake at Cayuga County Fair (7-1986)
Lake County
Fair, Chicago Illinois
Myrna Silverlake (7-1988)
Winnebago County Fair, Wisconsin
Myrna Silverlake (8-1988)
Naomi Carpenter
Monroe County Fair, Michigan
11-1988
Rochester NY
Myrna Silverlake (11-1988)
Red River Valley Fair
Myrna and Naomi
Myrna - 40th annual stock show and rodeo, San Antonio Tx
(2-17-1989)
Melvin Silverlake "Col. Mel" and Gloria Silverlake
on the Tonight Show with Jay Leno (3-1997, 10-3-1997)
Article from the
Pueblo Chieftain
(8-26-1998)
FACES OF THE FAIR
King Tusk with Ringling (1987-1995)
Jimmy Silverlake trainer (...1989...1992...1994...1995-2000?)
1989 - King Tusk 43
years old, 6 ton, asian elephant
10-1989 - visited Jackson County
1992 -
King Tusk (age 46) with Ringling Bros (Blue Unit)
Fisher Bros (1989-1990)
1990
out of Gibsonton Florida
BK Silverlake
Mel Ray Silverlake
Queen Tusk - Paula the African elephant
leased from Carson and Barnes
5-15-1990
Bell Buckle Tn
Torchy, Josephine's Aunt - owner
Big Ivory
Ruby Haag Brown - sign painter, tickets
Josephine Silverlake - novelty
BK - general manager
Myrna - booking
Joe Silverlake - aerialist, animals
Mel Ray - juggle, magic, whip
Pow Wow
1990s - Joe and Josephine on Pow Wow circuit (6
years)
selling their crafts
Hendricks Bros
Circus
(1995-1998, 2000,2001...2004...)
BK Silverlake (one of the Managers) (...1996...)
Wantage PA - 6-1996
Kelly Miller Circus
Myrna Timberlake (...1998...)
Star Bros Circus
Joe Silverlake - bill poster - (2001)
Josephine Silverlake - dates posters, makes crafts -(2001)
Myrna - (2000,2001...)
King Royal Circus
(1990-1997)
Joe Silverlake - (.....)
L.E. Barnes Circus
Mel Ray Silverlake (...2001...)
Ringling Bros and BB Circus
Jimmy Silverlake (2001...)
Brad Silverlake - promotions (...2001...)
Kelly Miller Circus (1987-...)
Myrna Silverlake - Myrna's Dogs - (1998)
B.K. Silverlake - office (...2001...)
Joe Silverlake - snake show, front door, postal agent - (1999-2001)
Josephine Silverlake - crafts -(1999-2001)
Jimmy Silverlake - ...2001...2003...
elephants - Nina, Viola, and Libby
Bailey Bros Circus
(...2003-2005... )
Jimmy Silverlake - Elephant Trainer (2003)
Baby Ruth - Elephant (9,700 pounds)
(Oberlin Herald Newspaper, Kansas - 11-19-2003)
Jules and Beck
(1982-1988, ...2005...)
Myrna Silverlake (2005)
Jimmy Silverlake (2005)
Carnival in Michigan?
Mel Ray Silverlake, BK Silverlake, Myrna Ratcliff (2005)
Bobbie Green (2005)