Circus Entertainer. Born Daniel McLaren, he was the first notable circus clown in the United States and the first clown star of the circus. His success allowed him to buy his own shows, both a wagon show and a river-boat show. In 1848 he campaigned for his friend, Zachary Taylor, for President. He frequently would invite Taylor to ride on the circus bandwagon during parades, which inspired the phrase "jump on the bandwagon." Good friends with both President Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, he was often called the President's court jester. The first monument in the United States dedicated to soldiers killed during the Civil War was financed by him and still stands in Girard, Pennsylvania. Believed by many to be the model for "Uncle Sam", he was inducted into the Clown Hall of Fame in 1991.
Circus Entertainer. Born Daniel McLaren, he was the first notable circus clown in the United States and the first clown star of the circus. His success allowed him to buy his own shows, both a wagon show and a river-boat show. In 1848 he campaigned for his friend, Zachary Taylor, for President. He frequently would invite Taylor to ride on the circus bandwagon during parades, which inspired the phrase "jump on the bandwagon." Good friends with both President Abraham Lincoln and Jefferson Davis, he was often called the President's court jester. The first monument in the United States dedicated to soldiers killed during the Civil War was financed by him and still stands in Girard, Pennsylvania. Believed by many to be the model for "Uncle Sam", he was inducted into the Clown Hall of Fame in 1991.
Bio by: Melanie
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