Not every animal owned by the Nelings families were a pet. William C. Neelings of Algona Iowa (second cousin of the Pennsylvania Nelings), ran various pony and dog shows that toured the upper Midwest of the US.
His obituary in the Kossuth County Advance summarized his show business career with a brief mention of his circus time:
“He helped to train some diving horses which became locally famous a number of years ago. Of late years he has been running a dog and pony show” (August 25, 1915).
Neelings’s show business career may have begun about 1906, as it seems he traveled up to Montreal, Quebec, with his diving horses. I was not able to find any other articles or advertisements for shows in Canada, and most of his performances were in Iowa and Minnesota from 1910 to 1915.
1910: “Neeling and Ferguson had a pony, dog, and goat show, headquartered in Algona, and each spring and summer made wagon train trips throughout northern Iowa and southern MN giving performances. Judging from clippings from other newspapers, the show, which started in 1910 season, was not a success. Some editors treated the performance tolerantly, others condemned it unmercifully. WF Miller, editor of Livermore Gazette, said the cast made an honest effort to please and that as the show had been given only three times, a great deal could be forgiven. Mr. Miller added that children were more pleased with the animal acts than they would have been with a three ring circus.” (Kossuth County Advance, article about news from 20 years ago, Algona IA 7/3/1930)
1911: One of the many pleasing features in Neeling & Ferguson’s shows is Prof Mansfield troup of Thoroughbred Trained Dogs and Monkey comedians at Glenville, June 3. Glenville Progress, 6/1/1911 (Glenville is SE of Albert Lea).
1913: Des Moines Register has ad from Neeling for vaudeville performer who can “change for three nights under canvas.” He appears to be working for Marshel & Marshel (6/19/1913).
1914: The Jan 10, 1914, Billboard magazine reported that W.C. Neeling’s Novelty Circus was changing its name to the Neelings Bros American Wonder for the 1915 season. The show was supposed to have 12 wagons and was scheduled to tour in Minnesota, Iowa, and the Dakotas.
1914: Want ad in Des Moines Register asking for bill poster for wagon show. No experience necessary, “boozer save stamps” (4/15/1914).
1914: Mpls Star Tribune – William placed a help wanted ad for performers. Start in Currier MN (Jun 6), Dovray (Jun 7), West Brook (Jun 8), Storden (Jun 9), Jeffers (Jun10), Comfrey (Jun 11). William was manager of Lone Bill Show (6/5/1914). There were many Lone Bill shows at this time, including Wild Bill Hickok’s show. I believe this was William Neeling’s own show under a different name.
1914: Des Moines Register has an ad from Neelings for any kind of circus or vaudeville show person, amateur is ok. Man and wife preferred, Reach out to WC Neelings in Thien MN (6/15/1914).
1915: Neeling placed an ad in the Des Moines Register for the sale of “Carry-us-all swing or overhead Merry-go-round, No engine. $300. Tonowando organ included.” William appears to be selling his circus equipment right before his death (6/20/1915).
William C Neeling died from dropsy (edema) on August 22, 1915, in Algona, Iowa. The Mystic Workers, a fraternal benefit society, provided help during his extended illness.
