Ella Violetta Roberts, was born 7 October 1871 at Ironton, Iron County, Missouri. Ella married Pleasant Harry Potter in 1888. Harry was born on an Arkansas farm around 14 October 1867. They resided in Bensenville, Arkansas. Harry had a traveling equestrians and aerialists trope. Known as the “Peerless Potters”. The “Peerless Potters” they were world renown trapeze artist. The following is a copy of a paper written by Forepaugh-Sells:
The Peerless Potters . Forepaugh-Sells, Madison Square Garden, 1902, " 'Peerless Potters,' led by Harry Potter - swung, leaped, dived, caught, and fell from horizontal bars suspended high in air. There were five bars and ten performers. Men made human trapezes of themselves and swung the other agile Potters through the air at a wondrous rate. The chef d'oeuvre of this act was the double somersault of one of the women while swinging through the air from one Potter to another. . . ." (1) Ten Peerless Potters, aerial act, ten in number, Forepaugh-Sells, 1902, had Anita Stirk and Marie Silbon; Harry said he got his start in a college gymnasium, his father wanted him to be a lawyer. (2) Peerless Potters, acrobats, Sells-Floto, 1907; ". . . I am the sixth generation of performers in the Potter family. We go back more than one hundred and fifty years, and during all that time every member of my family has been a circus performer. . . ." (3) Peerless Potters, aerialists, seven in troupe, Norris & Rowe, 1908; six (or five at times) in number, four men, two women, Sells-Floto, 1908. (4) Peerless Potters, acrobats, Mrs. Roy Potter, Mrs. Harry Potter, 1909; Gentry Bros., 1928. (5) "P. H. Potter of Bensenville, and formerly one of the world's greatest and well known aerial performers, has again taken up aerial performing. For many years himself and wife, since deceased, . . . with Barnum and Bailey, also Ringling Bros., . . . Last fall, after several years away from the ropes, rigging and nets, Mr. Potter decided . . . to train another set of actors to do the many things he formerly did, and thereby leave someone to carry on his many wonderful acrobatic feats after he passed on. . . ."; he planned to take the act on the road this summer (1932), to Ohio, Montana, South Dakota, then south and east. (6) Gymnasts with Seal Bros. circus, 1934. (7) 1937: "Peru, Ind., Jan. 8 - Word has been received here that the 'PeerlessPotters' aerial act that includes two Peru men. Harry Potter, a former noted aerialist, and Ralph Swisher, has had an unusual success in several weeks' engagement at the Olympia Coliseum in London, England. . . . opening performance in London on December 22." (8) Peerless Potters, gymnasts, Bud Anderson Circus, 1940. (9) "Henry P. Potter, Bensenville Circus Man, Dies. Harry P. Potter, probably unknown to most local folk as one of the greatest circus performers of his time, died Sunday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Aerial Marquette, in Bensenville at the age of 70. Recognized by the critics of the circus trade as a top ranking trapeze artist at the turn of the century, Potter who was born on an Arkansas farm saw the bright lights and received the applause in the leading cities of the world, including London. Organizer of the Peerless Potters, he won fame far and wide. Although he retired in 1911 because the pace of his aerial acts became too strenuous, he never lost his enthusiasm for the show and the crowds. In 1931 at the age of 64, he came out of retirement to again make the headlines with a new act which included a half-dozen young men he had under his tutelage. A short time ago the key man of this troupe volunteered for the army when Mr. Potter, now 73, quit the field for the last time to come home to spend his remaining days in Bensenville. Mr. Potter was well known and greatly revered by many in Bensenville where he always obliged with a number or two at various occasions. At one time he was employed on the Milwaukee road. He died after a three day illness. Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. E. M. Ringe. Burial was in Acacia cemetery." (10).
1. New York Times , April 3, 1902.
2. Lowell (MA) Sun , June 16, 1902; Racine (WI) Daily Journal , August 21, 1902.
3. San Antonio (TX) Light , September 15 & 18, 1907.
4. Reno (NV) Evening Gazette , April 10, May 12, 1908.
5. Oakland (CA) Tribune , June 6, 1909; Titusville (PA) Herald , May 28, 1928.
6. Daily Herald (Chicago, IL), July 29, 1932 ( DuPage County Register ).
7. Evening Tribune (Albert Lea, MN) May 29, 1934.
8. Logansport (IN) Pharos-Tribune , January 8, 1937.
9. Reporter (Emmetsburg, IA), May 2, 1940.
10. Daily Herald (Chicago, IL) April 11, 1941 ( Roselle Register ).
The Peerless Potters . Forepaugh-Sells, Madison Square Garden, 1902, " 'Peerless Potters,' led by Harry Potter - swung, leaped, dived, caught, and fell from horizontal bars suspended high in air. There were five bars and ten performers. Men made human trapezes of themselves and swung the other agile Potters through the air at a wondrous rate. The chef d'oeuvre of this act was the double somersault of one of the women while swinging through the air from one Potter to another. . . ." (1) Ten Peerless Potters, aerial act, ten in number, Forepaugh-Sells, 1902, had Anita Stirk and Marie Silbon; Harry said he got his start in a college gymnasium, his father wanted him to be a lawyer. (2) Peerless Potters, acrobats, Sells-Floto, 1907; ". . . I am the sixth generation of performers in the Potter family. We go back more than one hundred and fifty years, and during all that time every member of my family has been a circus performer. . . ." (3) Peerless Potters, aerialists, seven in troupe, Norris & Rowe, 1908; six (or five at times) in number, four men, two women, Sells-Floto, 1908. (4) Peerless Potters, acrobats, Mrs. Roy Potter, Mrs. Harry Potter, 1909; Gentry Bros., 1928. (5) "P. H. Potter of Bensenville, and formerly one of the world's greatest and well known aerial performers, has again taken up aerial performing. For many years himself and wife, since deceased, . . . with Barnum and Bailey, also Ringling Bros., . . . Last fall, after several years away from the ropes, rigging and nets, Mr. Potter decided . . . to train another set of actors to do the many things he formerly did, and thereby leave someone to carry on his many wonderful acrobatic feats after he passed on. . . ."; he planned to take the act on the road this summer (1932), to Ohio, Montana, South Dakota, then south and east. (6) Gymnasts with Seal Bros. circus, 1934. (7) 1937: "Peru, Ind., Jan. 8 - Word has been received here that the 'PeerlessPotters' aerial act that includes two Peru men. Harry Potter, a former noted aerialist, and Ralph Swisher, has had an unusual success in several weeks' engagement at the Olympia Coliseum in London, England. . . . opening performance in London on December 22." (8) Peerless Potters, gymnasts, Bud Anderson Circus, 1940. (9) "Henry P. Potter, Bensenville Circus Man, Dies. Harry P. Potter, probably unknown to most local folk as one of the greatest circus performers of his time, died Sunday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Aerial Marquette, in Bensenville at the age of 70. Recognized by the critics of the circus trade as a top ranking trapeze artist at the turn of the century, Potter who was born on an Arkansas farm saw the bright lights and received the applause in the leading cities of the world, including London. Organizer of the Peerless Potters, he won fame far and wide. Although he retired in 1911 because the pace of his aerial acts became too strenuous, he never lost his enthusiasm for the show and the crowds. In 1931 at the age of 64, he came out of retirement to again make the headlines with a new act which included a half-dozen young men he had under his tutelage. A short time ago the key man of this troupe volunteered for the army when Mr. Potter, now 73, quit the field for the last time to come home to spend his remaining days in Bensenville. Mr. Potter was well known and greatly revered by many in Bensenville where he always obliged with a number or two at various occasions. At one time he was employed on the Milwaukee road. He died after a three day illness. Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. E. M. Ringe. Burial was in Acacia cemetery." (10).
1. New York Times , April 3, 1902.
2. Lowell (MA) Sun , June 16, 1902; Racine (WI) Daily Journal , August 21, 1902.
3. San Antonio (TX) Light , September 15 & 18, 1907.
4. Reno (NV) Evening Gazette , April 10, May 12, 1908.
5. Oakland (CA) Tribune , June 6, 1909; Titusville (PA) Herald , May 28, 1928.
6. Daily Herald (Chicago, IL), July 29, 1932 ( DuPage County Register ).
7. Evening Tribune (Albert Lea, MN) May 29, 1934.
8. Logansport (IN) Pharos-Tribune , January 8, 1937.
9. Reporter (Emmetsburg, IA), May 2, 1940.
10. Daily Herald (Chicago, IL) April 11, 1941 ( Roselle Register ).
Ella Violetta Roberts, was born 7 October 1871 at Ironton, Iron County, Missouri. Ella married Pleasant Harry Potter in 1888. Harry was born on an Arkansas farm around 14 October 1867. They resided in Bensenville, Arkansas. Harry had a traveling equestrians and aerialists trope. Known as the “Peerless Potters”. The “Peerless Potters” they were world renown trapeze artist. The following is a copy of a paper written by Forepaugh-Sells:
The Peerless Potters . Forepaugh-Sells, Madison Square Garden, 1902, " 'Peerless Potters,' led by Harry Potter - swung, leaped, dived, caught, and fell from horizontal bars suspended high in air. There were five bars and ten performers. Men made human trapezes of themselves and swung the other agile Potters through the air at a wondrous rate. The chef d'oeuvre of this act was the double somersault of one of the women while swinging through the air from one Potter to another. . . ." (1) Ten Peerless Potters, aerial act, ten in number, Forepaugh-Sells, 1902, had Anita Stirk and Marie Silbon; Harry said he got his start in a college gymnasium, his father wanted him to be a lawyer. (2) Peerless Potters, acrobats, Sells-Floto, 1907; ". . . I am the sixth generation of performers in the Potter family. We go back more than one hundred and fifty years, and during all that time every member of my family has been a circus performer. . . ." (3) Peerless Potters, aerialists, seven in troupe, Norris & Rowe, 1908; six (or five at times) in number, four men, two women, Sells-Floto, 1908. (4) Peerless Potters, acrobats, Mrs. Roy Potter, Mrs. Harry Potter, 1909; Gentry Bros., 1928. (5) "P. H. Potter of Bensenville, and formerly one of the world's greatest and well known aerial performers, has again taken up aerial performing. For many years himself and wife, since deceased, . . . with Barnum and Bailey, also Ringling Bros., . . . Last fall, after several years away from the ropes, rigging and nets, Mr. Potter decided . . . to train another set of actors to do the many things he formerly did, and thereby leave someone to carry on his many wonderful acrobatic feats after he passed on. . . ."; he planned to take the act on the road this summer (1932), to Ohio, Montana, South Dakota, then south and east. (6) Gymnasts with Seal Bros. circus, 1934. (7) 1937: "Peru, Ind., Jan. 8 - Word has been received here that the 'PeerlessPotters' aerial act that includes two Peru men. Harry Potter, a former noted aerialist, and Ralph Swisher, has had an unusual success in several weeks' engagement at the Olympia Coliseum in London, England. . . . opening performance in London on December 22." (8) Peerless Potters, gymnasts, Bud Anderson Circus, 1940. (9) "Henry P. Potter, Bensenville Circus Man, Dies. Harry P. Potter, probably unknown to most local folk as one of the greatest circus performers of his time, died Sunday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Aerial Marquette, in Bensenville at the age of 70. Recognized by the critics of the circus trade as a top ranking trapeze artist at the turn of the century, Potter who was born on an Arkansas farm saw the bright lights and received the applause in the leading cities of the world, including London. Organizer of the Peerless Potters, he won fame far and wide. Although he retired in 1911 because the pace of his aerial acts became too strenuous, he never lost his enthusiasm for the show and the crowds. In 1931 at the age of 64, he came out of retirement to again make the headlines with a new act which included a half-dozen young men he had under his tutelage. A short time ago the key man of this troupe volunteered for the army when Mr. Potter, now 73, quit the field for the last time to come home to spend his remaining days in Bensenville. Mr. Potter was well known and greatly revered by many in Bensenville where he always obliged with a number or two at various occasions. At one time he was employed on the Milwaukee road. He died after a three day illness. Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. E. M. Ringe. Burial was in Acacia cemetery." (10).
1. New York Times , April 3, 1902.
2. Lowell (MA) Sun , June 16, 1902; Racine (WI) Daily Journal , August 21, 1902.
3. San Antonio (TX) Light , September 15 & 18, 1907.
4. Reno (NV) Evening Gazette , April 10, May 12, 1908.
5. Oakland (CA) Tribune , June 6, 1909; Titusville (PA) Herald , May 28, 1928.
6. Daily Herald (Chicago, IL), July 29, 1932 ( DuPage County Register ).
7. Evening Tribune (Albert Lea, MN) May 29, 1934.
8. Logansport (IN) Pharos-Tribune , January 8, 1937.
9. Reporter (Emmetsburg, IA), May 2, 1940.
10. Daily Herald (Chicago, IL) April 11, 1941 ( Roselle Register ).
The Peerless Potters . Forepaugh-Sells, Madison Square Garden, 1902, " 'Peerless Potters,' led by Harry Potter - swung, leaped, dived, caught, and fell from horizontal bars suspended high in air. There were five bars and ten performers. Men made human trapezes of themselves and swung the other agile Potters through the air at a wondrous rate. The chef d'oeuvre of this act was the double somersault of one of the women while swinging through the air from one Potter to another. . . ." (1) Ten Peerless Potters, aerial act, ten in number, Forepaugh-Sells, 1902, had Anita Stirk and Marie Silbon; Harry said he got his start in a college gymnasium, his father wanted him to be a lawyer. (2) Peerless Potters, acrobats, Sells-Floto, 1907; ". . . I am the sixth generation of performers in the Potter family. We go back more than one hundred and fifty years, and during all that time every member of my family has been a circus performer. . . ." (3) Peerless Potters, aerialists, seven in troupe, Norris & Rowe, 1908; six (or five at times) in number, four men, two women, Sells-Floto, 1908. (4) Peerless Potters, acrobats, Mrs. Roy Potter, Mrs. Harry Potter, 1909; Gentry Bros., 1928. (5) "P. H. Potter of Bensenville, and formerly one of the world's greatest and well known aerial performers, has again taken up aerial performing. For many years himself and wife, since deceased, . . . with Barnum and Bailey, also Ringling Bros., . . . Last fall, after several years away from the ropes, rigging and nets, Mr. Potter decided . . . to train another set of actors to do the many things he formerly did, and thereby leave someone to carry on his many wonderful acrobatic feats after he passed on. . . ."; he planned to take the act on the road this summer (1932), to Ohio, Montana, South Dakota, then south and east. (6) Gymnasts with Seal Bros. circus, 1934. (7) 1937: "Peru, Ind., Jan. 8 - Word has been received here that the 'PeerlessPotters' aerial act that includes two Peru men. Harry Potter, a former noted aerialist, and Ralph Swisher, has had an unusual success in several weeks' engagement at the Olympia Coliseum in London, England. . . . opening performance in London on December 22." (8) Peerless Potters, gymnasts, Bud Anderson Circus, 1940. (9) "Henry P. Potter, Bensenville Circus Man, Dies. Harry P. Potter, probably unknown to most local folk as one of the greatest circus performers of his time, died Sunday at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Aerial Marquette, in Bensenville at the age of 70. Recognized by the critics of the circus trade as a top ranking trapeze artist at the turn of the century, Potter who was born on an Arkansas farm saw the bright lights and received the applause in the leading cities of the world, including London. Organizer of the Peerless Potters, he won fame far and wide. Although he retired in 1911 because the pace of his aerial acts became too strenuous, he never lost his enthusiasm for the show and the crowds. In 1931 at the age of 64, he came out of retirement to again make the headlines with a new act which included a half-dozen young men he had under his tutelage. A short time ago the key man of this troupe volunteered for the army when Mr. Potter, now 73, quit the field for the last time to come home to spend his remaining days in Bensenville. Mr. Potter was well known and greatly revered by many in Bensenville where he always obliged with a number or two at various occasions. At one time he was employed on the Milwaukee road. He died after a three day illness. Funeral services were conducted by the Rev. E. M. Ringe. Burial was in Acacia cemetery." (10).
1. New York Times , April 3, 1902.
2. Lowell (MA) Sun , June 16, 1902; Racine (WI) Daily Journal , August 21, 1902.
3. San Antonio (TX) Light , September 15 & 18, 1907.
4. Reno (NV) Evening Gazette , April 10, May 12, 1908.
5. Oakland (CA) Tribune , June 6, 1909; Titusville (PA) Herald , May 28, 1928.
6. Daily Herald (Chicago, IL), July 29, 1932 ( DuPage County Register ).
7. Evening Tribune (Albert Lea, MN) May 29, 1934.
8. Logansport (IN) Pharos-Tribune , January 8, 1937.
9. Reporter (Emmetsburg, IA), May 2, 1940.
10. Daily Herald (Chicago, IL) April 11, 1941 ( Roselle Register ).
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