This page is to recreate the history of the Siegrist-Silbon troupe. Mainly to uncover Ruth Millette née Farris history from the start of her circus career around 2010 until her marriage to Ira Millette in 1923. Eugenie Mylett, aka Jennie Silbon, was a major influence on Ruth during this time period. Even though she retained the relationship with her mother to raise her kids much of the time. Ruth becoming a true full time mom when leaving the circus life to care for her grand daughter Anne. It is from that care that we really see the influence of Jennie. Ruth and Ira were the only real parents in most of Anne's life. See MilletteJennier for more on Ruth after marrying into that clan. And MilletteFarris for Ruth and Ira. We follow Anne's mother Mildred Ruth "Penny, Millie" in ThroopMillette.
A side effect of this effort is to identify the members of the troupe in the photos from different times. For some reason, the women adopted similar hairstyles and looks which makes them more difficult to distinguish. Luckily we have some clues from annotations and articles of both Eugenie and Ruth. Where possible, we will indicate definitive identification made by them versus secondary by others, including myself here. We appreciate the assistance provided by Mark xxxx at the Special Collections of the Milner Library of the Illinois State University in Bloomington. The one who first realized the first photo we actually had of a young 15-16 year old Ruth was actually her and Alfredo Codona.
The Siegrist-Silbon troupe, and eventually just the Silbon troupe, has definitively the longest rein within any single circus. Having been with Barnum-Bailey and then Ringling Brothers Barnum-Bailey for over 30 years. Starting with them in 1898 before finally retiring the troupe in 1931. The common thread through this all is Eddie Mylett (aka Eddie Silbon) and his wife Eugenie xxxx (aka Jennie Silbon). Unlike the original Silbon's in the early troop, Eddie is not a family member. But a neighbor from their hometown of Hull, England who tagged along and trained as the family grew their craft. Eddie has the notoriety of being the first to do a double somersault from one trapeze to another. Likely an influence to push Alfredo to do the triple when he joined the troupe in and out of the 1910's decade.
We will lightly touch on the early aspects of the Siegrist family as well as the Silbon family troupe. But focus more on starting with that seminal 1898 five year tour in Europe with Barnum-Bailey that brought them to fame. And brought the newly inducted Jennie into the fold. It was soon after this trip that the Silbon family members retired and left the show. The Siegrists would continue on for another decade or so. But it is clear from at least 1910 and onwards, if not earlier, that Eddie and Jennie ran the troupe. With the final Siegrist leaving in the late 1910's. We will also use this to catalog Eddie and Jennie's circus life. And leave their personal aspects to the ((Mylett
A side effect of this effort is to identify the members of the troupe in the photos from different times. For some reason, the women adopted similar hairstyles and looks which makes them more difficult to distinguish. Luckily we have some clues from annotations and articles of both Eugenie and Ruth. Where possible, we will indicate definitive identification made by them versus secondary by others, including myself here. We appreciate the assistance provided by Mark xxxx at the Special Collections of the Milner Library of the Illinois State University in Bloomington. The one who first realized the first photo we actually had of a young 15-16 year old Ruth was actually her and Alfredo Codona.
The Siegrist-Silbon troupe, and eventually just the Silbon troupe, has definitively the longest rein within any single circus. Having been with Barnum-Bailey and then Ringling Brothers Barnum-Bailey for over 30 years. Starting with them in 1898 before finally retiring the troupe in 1931. The common thread through this all is Eddie Mylett (aka Eddie Silbon) and his wife Eugenie xxxx (aka Jennie Silbon). Unlike the original Silbon's in the early troop, Eddie is not a family member. But a neighbor from their hometown of Hull, England who tagged along and trained as the family grew their craft. Eddie has the notoriety of being the first to do a double somersault from one trapeze to another. Likely an influence to push Alfredo to do the triple when he joined the troupe in and out of the 1910's decade.
We will lightly touch on the early aspects of the Siegrist family as well as the Silbon family troupe. But focus more on starting with that seminal 1898 five year tour in Europe with Barnum-Bailey that brought them to fame. And brought the newly inducted Jennie into the fold. It was soon after this trip that the Silbon family members retired and left the show. The Siegrists would continue on for another decade or so. But it is clear from at least 1910 and onwards, if not earlier, that Eddie and Jennie ran the troupe. With the final Siegrist leaving in the late 1910's. We will also use this to catalog Eddie and Jennie's circus life. And leave their personal aspects to the ((Mylett