Circus Showman. Along with Phineas T. Barnum, he helped found Barnum and Bailey Circus, which became known as "The Greatest Show On Earth." After running away from home after the deaths of his parents, he eventually found work with a nephew of circus pioneer Hachaliah Lynam Bailey, who gave him a job as his assistant, and the two traveled together for many years. McGinnis eventually adopted F.H. Bailey's surname to become James A. Bailey. In 1872, he partnered with Philadelphian James E. Cooper to form "Cooper and Bailey's Circus," and toured the United States, Java, New Zealand, and South America. In 1873 Cooper died and James Bailey soon joined with Barnum. They toured for several years until Barnum died in 1891. Bailey took over the circus the same year and it made several triumphant trips around the world under his leadership. In 1906 he died and the circus company soon became part of the Ringling Brothers Company. It is known to this day as the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.

Circus Showman. Along with Phineas T. Barnum, he helped found Barnum and Bailey Circus, which became known as "The Greatest Show On Earth." After running away from home after the deaths of his parents, he eventually found work with a nephew of circus pioneer Hachaliah Lynam Bailey, who gave him a job as his assistant, and the two traveled together for many years. McGinnis eventually adopted F.H. Bailey's surname to become James A. Bailey. In 1872, he partnered with Philadelphian James E. Cooper to form "Cooper and Bailey's Circus," and toured the United States, Java, New Zealand, and South America. In 1873 Cooper died and James Bailey soon joined with Barnum. They toured for several years until Barnum died in 1891. Bailey took over the circus the same year and it made several triumphant trips around the world under his leadership. In 1906 he died and the circus company soon became part of the Ringling Brothers Company. It is known to this day as the Ringling Brothers and Barnum and Bailey Circus.