Isaac Sprague was the Original Thin Man.
Born in E. Bridgewater, Massachusetts in 1841, he was a normal child until around age twelve when he began to lose weight. Sprague joined the circus in 1865, eventually working with P.T. Barnum. In this vintage photograph by Eisenmann, he is 44 years old, 5 feet, 6 inches tall and 43 pounds.

Traveling theatrical showman.
Appeared as The Living Skeleton for
P.T. Barnum.

Son of Nathaniel Sprague and Betsey Ramsdell

At age 26, Isaac married 16 yr. old Tamar P. Moore - February 1868 in Hanson, MA.

Tamar was born in Hanson on 5 Jan 1852 and was the daughter of Granville C. Moore of Leeds, ME and Mary Bourne of Hanson, MA.


Known Children of Isaac and Tamar Sprague:

1) Alphonso DeForest Sprague
b. 13 May 1869 in Hanson

2) Lorenzo D. Sprague
b. 23 July 1870 in Hanson

3) Edwin C. Sprague
b. 11 Nov 1872 in Hanson

Interred April 20, 1887.
Sources: Interment Record Book; NEHGS Database. Cook Co, IL Death Index.
FamilySearch.org
Updated: 4/24/14

Isaac Sprague was the Original Thin Man.
Born in E. Bridgewater, Massachusetts in 1841, he was a normal child until around age twelve when he began to lose weight. Sprague joined the circus in 1865, eventually working with P.T. Barnum. In this vintage photograph by Eisenmann, he is 44 years old, 5 feet, 6 inches tall and 43 pounds.

Traveling theatrical showman.
Appeared as The Living Skeleton for
P.T. Barnum.

Son of Nathaniel Sprague and Betsey Ramsdell

At age 26, Isaac married 16 yr. old Tamar P. Moore - February 1868 in Hanson, MA.

Tamar was born in Hanson on 5 Jan 1852 and was the daughter of Granville C. Moore of Leeds, ME and Mary Bourne of Hanson, MA.


Known Children of Isaac and Tamar Sprague:

1) Alphonso DeForest Sprague
b. 13 May 1869 in Hanson

2) Lorenzo D. Sprague
b. 23 July 1870 in Hanson

3) Edwin C. Sprague
b. 11 Nov 1872 in Hanson

Interred April 20, 1887.
Sources: Interment Record Book; NEHGS Database. Cook Co, IL Death Index.
FamilySearch.org
Updated: 4/24/14