Posted By thecircusblog on September 14, 2013
I have a feeling that this photo may be his marriage photo. 1927? This is the first time I have ever seen a picture of “a young Uncle Arthur”. I only knew him when he was much older. Thanks to distant cousin Mike Pilla. for sending it to me.
Posted By thecircusblog on September 14, 2013
This photo of Bum , his nick name, was taken in 1955? It looks like he had his little dog and pony show at an amusement park. After my grandfather closed Henry Bros in the early 1940’s, each of my uncles went there own separate ways. They put together their own circuses or went with other shows with their acts. Todd Henry in 1953 took out his own circus. He named the show Donaker Bros. I am not kidding…. Donaker Bros did very well. Dad and I joined the show in St Louis, Mo. We played shopping centers and a few still spots here and there. I asked my uncle why would you name your circus Donaker Bros. He said, “That’s where we may wind up.”
Posted By thecircusblog on September 14, 2013
Al made his act different than others of his kind. He did several tricks on a wagon wheel as seen here in the photo. In 1950 AL was teaching me this act with the wagon wheel. I was suprised by the amount of tricks one could do. It was not easy to learn and I preferred the rolling globe to the wagon wheel.
Posted By thecircusblog on September 14, 2013
The lady with Al is Bertha, his wife and my aunt . I am guessing that the photo was taken in 1938?
Posted By thecircusblog on September 14, 2013
Al Conner as a young man and before he was married to my aunt Bertha. He was a Vaudevillian performer.
Posted By thecircusblog on September 14, 2013
Uncle Al, Aunt Bertha and Jimmy Conner. The last name Conner was a stage name. Al’s real last name was Covert. Photo was taken in the late 1930’s? The circus could have been Henry Bros. Al and Bertha booked themselves on other shows from time to time.
Posted By thecircusblog on September 9, 2013
This photo came from Mike Pilla. His note says that this is a photo of the Russells Circus. I see Al and Bertha Covert Conner, and their son Jimmy and also see Robert, Arthur, Glen and my farther, Clifford Henry which leads me to believe that the two shows Henry Bros and Sells were combined. Smaller circuses would combine their performers for a limited time for certain dates.
Posted By thecircusblog on September 6, 2013
I Think this is Myron Orton? 1958.
Bob Momyer….Named this clown as being Albert “Flo” White. Thanks Bob for this information. I just got another comment from Bill Gowan saying that he thinks it is Myron.
