Entertainer and Circus Founder. Born Charles Edward Rüngeling, one of seven sons of German immigrant and harness maker, August Rüngeling. After moving from Iowa to Baraboo, Wisconsin the brothers Ringling created and performed a vaudeville-type show for the first time in Mazomanie, Wisconsin, on November 27, 1882. Two years later, the Ringling Brothers opened their first circus. By 1887, the growing Ringling brothers' show was called Ringling Bros. United Monster Shows, Great Double Circus, Royal European Menagerie, Museum, Caravan, and Congress of Trained Animals. By 1900, Ringling Brothers had one of the largest shows in the country, and began absorbing other circuses. In 1907, the Ringlings purchased their largest competitor, Barnum & Bailey Circus. The so-called Greatest Show on Earth became the property of the Ringlings for $400,000. Charles became the operating manager in charge of production for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, where he was known as Mister Charlie. He became an early settler and developer of Sarasota, Florida. He donated land for a courthouse for the newly created Sarasota County and founded Sarasota's third bank, the Ringling Bank and Trust Company, and built a high-rise hotel, the Sarasota Terrace. His estate overlooking Sarasota Bay was still under construction at the time of his death. He was also a working president of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce when he died. Ringling Boulevard in Sarasota is named for him.
Entertainer and Circus Founder. Born Charles Edward Rüngeling, one of seven sons of German immigrant and harness maker, August Rüngeling. After moving from Iowa to Baraboo, Wisconsin the brothers Ringling created and performed a vaudeville-type show for the first time in Mazomanie, Wisconsin, on November 27, 1882. Two years later, the Ringling Brothers opened their first circus. By 1887, the growing Ringling brothers' show was called Ringling Bros. United Monster Shows, Great Double Circus, Royal European Menagerie, Museum, Caravan, and Congress of Trained Animals. By 1900, Ringling Brothers had one of the largest shows in the country, and began absorbing other circuses. In 1907, the Ringlings purchased their largest competitor, Barnum & Bailey Circus. The so-called Greatest Show on Earth became the property of the Ringlings for $400,000. Charles became the operating manager in charge of production for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, where he was known as Mister Charlie. He became an early settler and developer of Sarasota, Florida. He donated land for a courthouse for the newly created Sarasota County and founded Sarasota's third bank, the Ringling Bank and Trust Company, and built a high-rise hotel, the Sarasota Terrace. His estate overlooking Sarasota Bay was still under construction at the time of his death. He was also a working president of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce when he died. Ringling Boulevard in Sarasota is named for him.
Bio by: Iola
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