A Page from North Quabbin History: A circus family
Published: 09-23-2024 2:29 PM |
Rose (Nelson) Gosselin, who retired with her husband Cleophas Gosselin in Ervingside, spent her career in the family business – the circus.
Gosselin, a native of England, was born on Jan. 12, 1864, the daughter of Samuel Nelson, one of four brothers involved in the circus life.
In 1866 her father organized “Nelson’s English Circus” and began touring the Argentine Republic in South America, where circus’ were new to the continent. The circus did not travel on trains, due to there being very few railroads. Instead, they traveled by covered wagons pulled by bullocks, according to a June 10, 1939, Greenfield Recorder article by J.A. Taggart.
The circus was successful, performing in the cities in the Argentine Republic, as well as the northern part of the central and coastal areas of South America. The Nelson family grew, with six daughters besides Rose — Lillie, Anita, Kate, Sarah and Victoria, along with two sons, John and Harry.
Rose made her circus debut at age 5, according to the article, and soon began appearing as an accomplished equestrian and tumbler. However, it was her work as an aerialist where she found her lifelong career.
The Nelson circus not only performed for everyday people, but also for royalty. This included being invited to perform before the court of Emperor Don Pedro, whom they also shared the royal box with during an operatic performance given before the emperor. While later visiting England on vacation, Rose also received a royal command appearance before Queen Victoria.
By 1893 the Nelson family circus found itself performing at the Chicago World’s Fair. Also attending the fair was James A. Bailey, part owner of the Barnum and Bailey Circus, who enjoyed the act. Soon, the Nelsons had given up their South American route and joined the Barnum and Bailey Circus.
It was a circus performance in Winnipeg, Manitoba, where Rose met her husband, Cleophas Gosselin. Gosselin, was born in Webster on June 28, 1863, ran away from home at 14 to join the A.R. Woods Circus, eventually adopting the name of Jose Zomora and performing as a trapeze artist and contortionist. Cleophas and Rose continued in an aerial act until their retirement.
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In the article, Cleophas recalled a trip west with the circus.
“Talk about crowds,” Gosselin recalled in the article. “Why, we expected a fight about every day and were not usually disappointed.”
He also recalled his interactions with Wild Bill Hickcock.
“Hickcock was a mighty good friend to us while we were in his balliwick. The tough feared him and were willing to give him more than half the road. My act was billed the Zamora and Potters Trio.”
The couple settled in Ervingside in Millers Falls in 1913. Still the circus called to them. According to the article, “When the circus comes to any city nearby, the Gosselins visit it. Sniffing the familiar odors they forget all else and once again are teenagers, says Mrs. Gosselin. My how good it seems to receive such a warm welcome from managers, actors, ringside helpers, many of whose fathers and mothers were our associates in the old days. Do you know there are moments when it seems I must rush out to the ringside, make my returning gesture and hear again the inspiring chord of the band and the plaudits of the audience. That is all past and we return to our little house well content in wait another year for a renewed thrill.”
There is a marker in Sarasota, Florida, recognizing the Nelson family’s contributions to the circus which was installed by the Circus Ring Of Fame Foundation.
Carla Charter is a freelance writer from Phillipston. Her writing focuses on the history of the North Quabbin area. Contact her at cjfreelancewriter@earthlink.net.