See also
1 Jessie SKELTON1 (1884-1894) [11093]. Born 28 Sep 1884, Royal Oak, MI.1 Died 20 Feb 1894.2
2 Charles James SKELTON3,4 (1854-1911) [2641]. Born 4 Jul 1854, St. Andrews, Quebec, Canada.3,5 Marr Cordelia Mary DOWS 6 Aug 1880, Birmingham, MI.4 Died 25 Jun 1911, Ottawa, Canada.5
From the weekly Pontiac Bill Poster and other Pontiac, MI newspapers.
May 4, 1881 - "Charles Gregory and wife left for Toronto Monday. From thence they return to New York city, where he has an engagement at the Olymphia street theater for the season."
August 15, 1883 - "Gregory Bros., great international show was here last Friday. The troupe managed to get out of town [Birmingham] some way."
August 20, 1884 - "The Gregory Bro's troupe have gone into summer quarters at V. M. Rose's."
May 6, 1885 - "On Saturday last the Gregory Brothers gave a circus entertainment at this place [Royal Oak], which was largely patronized. The show was first class from beginning to end. The audience were surprised at the exhibition of so much talent. Not a person in the large audience but what left the show feeling satisfied that he had got the worth of their money. The performance of Mr. Charles Gregory was worth the entire price of admission fee. Monday they performed at Farmington leaving a good impression on the community. The Gregory Brothers are always spoken of as being gentlemen, paying their bills wherever they go and dealing in such a manner that they are welcome in any community where they travel."
May 26, 1886 - "Gregory Bros. circus went up the flue here [Royal Oak] last Saturday."
November 10, 1886 - "Charles J. Gregory, of Gregory Bros., gymnasts, was arrested at Royal Oak Monday, where he lives on a farm with his family, and taken to Detroit. The charge is grand larceny, and it is generally conceded that Mr. Gregory is innocent. It seems he holds three trunks that are claimed by a former partner, and hence the trouble."
November 17, 1886 - "Mr. C.J. Gregory, who was charged with stealing two trunks from Mrs. Frank T. Merritt was honorably discharged. Mr. Gregory has commenced action against Mrs. Merritt for five thousand dollars damage. Mrs. Gregory still holds the trunks and says she will til she gets her money from the Merritts."
April 18, 1890 - "Charles Gregory, the showman, is home for a few days."
1894-03-02 - "C.J. Gregory has returned to New York."
1894-10-12 - "C. J. Gregory arrived home from New York Tuesday evening."
1894-11-16 - "C. J. Gregory has returned to New York."
1895-01-04 - "Charles and George Gregory of New York, were in town last week."
1895-02-15 - "C. J. Gregory, of New York, was in town this week."
1895-04-05 - "C. J. Gregory, of New York, was in town this week."
1895-04-12 - "C. J. Gregory returned to New York Monday, his daughter, Bessie, accompanying him."
1896-05-08 - "Charles Gregory returned from New York the first of the week."
From the Royal Oak section of the Birmingham Eccentric with dates as listed.
February 11, 1881. "The Gregory Bros. of New York city are at V. M. Rose's."
April 15, 1881. "The Gregory Bros. have gone to Toledo to fill an engagement, after which they go to New York. We hear Mrs. G will join them in about five weeks."
September 23, 1881. "The Gregory Bros. and Mrs. C. J. Gregory have returned from their eastern trip."
June 12, 1884. "Our show the Gregory Bros., report doing a big business in Wisconsin."
November 18, 1886. "Mr. Chas. Gregory who was charged with stealing two trunks from Mrs. Frank Merrit was honorably discharged and has commenced action against Mrs. Merritt for $5,000 damage. Mrs. Gregory paid a debt of forty dollars for the Merritt's and she took their trunks for security. She still holds them."
February 28, 1889. "Mr. Chas. Gregory has returned from a ten week's sojourn in New York city and Philadelphia."
From the New York Clipper, NY, NY.
May 3, 1884 - "Gregory Bros' New Metropolitan Allied Shows. Officers: C. J. Gregory, sole proprietor and manager, William Gregory, assistant manager; Frank C. Cooper, general agent; A. J. Faust, assistant agent; John Skelton, boss billposter; William Nunn, leader of brass band and orchestra, 12 in number; master of canvas, H. Journo; master of properties, W. Carpenter; candy privileges, A. H. Donahue; manager sideshow, Signor Sautelle; concert owner and manager, C. J. Gregory. Clowns - C. J. Gregory, Tommy Nichols and F. Avalo. Company - Gymnasts, acrobats and leapers, Gregory Bros., Malcolm and Belfored, Avalo Bros., Roland and King, William Martin, T. J. Nichols, Delia Gregory, Raymond Sisters and Jennie Rose. Amy Sweeney, modern Hercules and cannon-ball performer. Number of tents, 2; circus tent 100 ft. round top; museum tent 75 x 100 ft oblong; Winter quarters, Royal Oak, Mich.; cars, 6 (5 baggage and one passenger)."
April 3, 1886 - "C. J. Gregory has taken Frank Merritt into partnership, and their show will be styled the Gregory, Merritt & Co. Circus. They carry a 100 ft. canvas, with a 50 ft. middle piece, and new band and other wagos, traveling by railroad and playing week stands. The people so far engaged are Geo. Gregory, James Gregory, John Flynn, Tom Haley, Nilsoni, Delia Gregory, Bessie Gregory, Didy Dows, C. J. Gregory and Frank Merritt. They open May 1. Mr. Merritt was one of the gentlemen who ran the museum at Detroit, Mich., last season."
August 3, 1889 - "Following is the roster of Gregory & D'Alma's Great international Circus and Museum; Gregory & D'Alma, proprietors; John D'Alma, business manager; C. J. Gregory, general director; Frank C. Cooper, general agent; George Baird, treasurer; John N. Russell, equestrian director; Chas. Chardella, boss canvasman, and fifteen assistants; Milton Barger, boss hostler and twelve assistants; Jos. Hunter, advertising agent and six bill posters. Company - C. J. Gregory, Geo. Gregory, Harry D'Alma, Blair Livingstone, Lorado, Avalo Bros., Fred Sewell, Chas. Malcolm, Bruce Clark, Kennedy and Barton, Maud D'Alma, Delia Gregory, Lottie D'Alma, Emma Barger, Bessie D'Alma, Mlle. Anna and Little Kitty, Maud D'Alma, principal bareback rider; Chas. Livingstone, Bessie D'Alma, John N. Russell, principal clown; Fred Sewell, John D'Alma and Chas. J. Gregory, clowns; Lottie D'Alma, school of educated ponies and dogs; Chardella and her educated donkeys, and John D'Alma's clown trick pigs. Concert - John N. Russell, Maude and Bessie D'Alma, Fred Sewell, John Barton, Avalo Bros. and Delia Gregory and Lottie Newton. Outfit - Forty head of horses and mules. Canvas - 90 ft. round top with a 40 ft. Middle piece. Museum - 40 ft. rounnd top with a 30 ft. middle piece. Dressing room top - 50 ft. round top with two horse tents. All the privileges are owned and controlled by the management."
From Olympians of the Sawdust Circle by the Circus Historical Society.
GREGORY FAMILY (Charles J, George, James. Delia, Bessie]. Gymnasts. Gregory Brothers were originally composed of James. George, and Charles J. The latter was proprietor of the Gregory Brothers' Circus, which traveled throughout the world Charles (r n C J Skelton, d June 25. 1911), was born at St Andrews, Canada, July 4, 1854 At one time was a partner with John Winfield in the circus business; also Gregory & Belford's Circus (C J Gregory, George Belford. proprietors). 1892 Wife's name was Delia M. With daughter, Bessie, performed a fool balancing act. Robert Hunting's, 1897; and who. as the last of the Gregory Family, died in Ottawa, Canada, after having been in show business for more than 40 years. George (r n. Skelton), bar performer; born in Ottawa, Canada, and entered the circus profession, 1880, when his brother Charles took him on as one of the Gregory Brothers John Winfield was the other member of the troupe. They opened that year with Gillmore & Benton for the winter, was joined by brother James, making the act the Three Gregory Brothers When James died, around 1890, John L Fritz replaced him Charles, George, and John Fritz, triple bars. balancing trapeze, dancing barrel, table and cross, reapers and tumblers. Cole's Colossal Circus, 1893, Cole & Lockwood, 1894. Later, George was a member of several acrobatic teams. Last partner was Bob Starkey. These two were with Orrin Bros'. Mexico. 1897 George died in NYC, November 30.1897, age 12. Gregory Family were with James Robinson's, 1872; Boyd & Peters, 1880; John Robinson's, 1881, Frank Robbins'. 1882; joined George W Maxwell's "Black Crook" Co., September, 1882, Gregory Brewers' Circus (Charles J Gregory, proprietor), 1883-85; Gregory. Merritt, 1886; W H Hams* Nickel-Plate. 1886, Walter L Main's. 1887-88; Gregory & D'Alma, 1899; riders, aerialists. acrobats and gymnasts, George S, Cole's. 1895 William Gregory (1855-March 24, 1884), son of Charles J., left Ottawa at age 13, 1868, joining in the family act and accompanying them on a world tour. Later, organized his own company and visited Tunis and Algiers and then France, where he remained until a time shortly before his death in Geneva, Switzerland, age 29. There was also a James Gregory listed as program agent, G G Grady
1874; Gregory Brothers' Circus, 1885.
Professional name of Gregory.
4 Charles Jacob SKELTON6 (1822-1895) [16040]. Born 1822.6 Died 1895.6
5 Elizabeth CAMERON6 (1828-1911) [16045]. Born 1828.6 Died 1911.6
3 Cordelia Mary DOWS4,7 (c. 1861-1923) [419]. Born c. 1861.7 Marr Claude F. HAMILTON bef 1909. Died 8 Feb 1923, Pleasant Ridge, MI.7,8 Cause: Killed by an interurban car on Woodward Ave, fractured skull. Buried 11 Apr 1939, Woodlawn Cemetery.
From a Pontiac, MI newspaper:
1875-03-31 - "Our school gave a grand exhibition at the close of the term, on Friday of last week. We do not wish to display partiality, still we cannot forbear to mention a few of the pieces which were especially fine. One of the best efforts of the evening was made by Miss Delia Douse, in a single piece, entitled, "Offal." "
1894-08-31 - "Mrs. C. J. Gregory was in Birmingham Monday on business."
1894-09-21 - "Mrs. Charles Gregory is the guest of friends in Birmingham this week."
1894-09-28 - "Mrs. Charles Gregory has returned from her visit in Birmingham."
1895-05-03 - "In the assault and battery case of Mrs. Gregory vs. Belle Peris in Justice Finn's court last week, the jury rendered a verdict of not guilty."
From the Royal Oak section of the Birmingham Eccentric with dates as listed.
May 6, 1881. "Mrs. Delia Gregory, in company with her husband, C. J. Gregory, is traveling with Robinson's circus."
July 29, 1881. "A valuable calf belonging to Mrs. C. J. Gregory made a meal of Paris-green recently and died soon afterwards."
February 3, 1882. "Born to Mrs. Charles Gregory - a daughter. All doing well."
Sept 25, 1884. "Born September 17 to Mrs. Lewless, a son; also to Mrs. D. Gregory, a daughter."
February 10, 1887. "Mrs. Delia Gregory starts for New York city next Thursday."
January 31, 1889. "ROYAL OAK RUMBLINGS. The event of the season was the masquerade ball for the benefit of band last Friday night, the proceeds of which were $30. Limited space will only admit the mention of a few of the most prominent characters. Fred Marshall led the band with his usual dignity; Frank Springteen appeared as a Spanish Cavalier and was the most noticeable character in the house; Walter gregory appeared in a purple velvet princess suit; Susie Fairchild took all hearts by storm in the costume of night, black velvet spangled with diamonds, Rose Hutchins was adjudged the most elegant waltzer in the hall; Delia Gregory appeared in a zig-zag suit with a gun at her side; Kittie Wilcox was a sailor's bride; Didy Douse a fisherman's daughter; Iowa Allen was a clown; Carrie Kinney was a peasant girl; Flora Allen was a queen. The masquerade being such a success the leader, Fred Marshall, proposes to give another in about two weeks."
Delia Dowse Hamilton and her husband Claude filed the plat for the Hamilton Woods Subdivision in Pleasant Ridge on Aug. 9, 1916.
As reported in an article in the February 16, 1923 Royal Oak Tribune, Cordelia Hamilton and her niece, Rhea Mercurio were killed by an interurban car on Woodward avenue at Oakland Park avenue in Pleasant Ridge on the evening of February 9, 1923. "The accident which caused their death happened at 10 p.m., when the two were going to the car after a visit with Mrs. Dolly Parent, a sister of Mrs. Hamilton, who lives on Woodward avenue opposite Oakland Park avenue. As they were crossing Woodward avenue an automobile, speeding towards Detroit, so dazzled them with it's bright headlights that they became confused and stepped directly into the path of a northbound interurban car. Mrs. Hamilton died while on her way to Highland Park hospital. Mrs Mercurio died in the hospital at 1:30 a.m.".
6 Joseph DOWS9 (c. 1812- ) [382]. Born c. 1812.9 Marr Harriet M. ROSE 2 Jul 1860, Royal Oak, MI.9
7 Harriet M. ROSE9,10,11 (1833-1915) [358]. Born 1 May 1833, Tioga County, PA.11 Marr Thomas J. CAREW 27 Jul 1872, Detroit, MI.10 Died 9 May 1915, Royal Oak, MI.11 Buried 13 May 1915, Oakhill Cemetery, Pontiac, MI.11
From a Pontiac, MI newspaper.
1894-11-30 - "Mrs. H. Dows, of Detroit, is visiting relatives in town [Royal Oak]."
1895-02-01 - "Thieves broke into Mrs. Dow's barn one night last week and helped themselves to a load of hay. They had better look a "leddle owt" as they are well known."
1895-03-15 - "Robert McGee has taken Mrs. Dow's farm to work the coming summer."
1895-12-27 - "Mrs. H. Dows is visiting relatives in Cleveland."
1896-01-10 - "Mrs. H. Dows has moved to Detroit."
1896-03-06 - "Mrs. Harriet Dows of Detroit vistied relatives in town [Royal Oak] Monday."
1896-05-08 - "S. Davis is working Mrs. Dow's farm this year."
From the Birmingham Eccentric.
1907-05-24 - "Mrs. H. Carew is fitting up the old house owned by her on the corner of Third and Center Streets, that was occupied for several years as a saloon. It will be changed into an apartment house for three or four families."
From the the Livingston County Daily Press and Argus (Howell, MI)
1908-12-16 - "Royal Oak - Fire, originating from a defective chimney, destroyed the five-family apartment house, owned by Mrs. Harriet Carew at Third and Center streets."
Obituary from the May 14, 1915 Royal Oak Tribune. "Mrs. Harriet D. Carew, an Old Resident Died Saturday. Died - At the home of her daughter, Mrs. W.O. Wilcox, Saturday, Mrs. Harriet D. Carew, aged 82, Harriet Rose was born in Tioga county, Pa., May 1, 1833. She was the daughter of the late Virgil M. Rose, and was a sister of the late Mariva A. Hodges, whose husband built the Hodges House in Pontiac. She came with her parents to Royal Oak at the age of three years, and has resided here continuously since. She was twice married. Her first husband was Joseph Dows, by whom she had three children: Mrs. C.F. Hamilton, of Cincinnati, O.; Mrs. W.O. Wilcox and Mrs. Dollie B. Parent of Royal Oak. Her second husband was Thomas Carew, one child being born of this union, Mrs. John J. McGuire, also of Royal Oak. She left 11 grand-children. Her father V.M. Rose, was one of the earliest settlers in Royal Oak Township. At one time he owned nearly all the land that comprises the village, and conducted a hotel at the intersection of Woodward avenue and Main street, which was known as "The Travelers Home." It was at that time one of the leading hostelries between Pontiac and Detroit, and is well remembered by the earlier residents of the town. Mrs. Carew owned the Rose House in Pontiac until about two years ago, when she sold it to B.V. Woodward, of Pontiac. She was the last member of the family. The funeral was held from the home of her daughter, Mrs., W.O. Wilcox, Wednesday at 1 o'clock, and the remains were taken to Pontiac and placed in the family lot in Oak Hill Cemetery.
14 Virgil Maxim ROSE2,12 (1808-1894) [350]. Born 1808, Manchester, VT. Marr Cordelia BAILEY 1829, New York. Died 7 Jun 1894, Royal Oak, MI.2,12 Buried 11 Jun 1894, Oakhill Cemetery, Pontiac, MI.
From Pleasant Ridge; Then and Now.
"In 1836 one of Rose's horses was stolen, and he printed posters offering a reward for capture of the thief. His descendents still have one of the posters."
From the Birmingham Eccentric, January 14, 1881 - "The hotel of V. M. Rose on the gravel road one mile from this place [RO] caught fire from a defective chimney at eleven o'clock, and burned to the ground Monday night, the family barely escaping with their lives. Loss estimated at $5,000, with no insurance."
From the Pontiac Weekly Bill Poster and other Pontiac newspapers.
1876-12-06 - "Enoch Brown, who was arrested in Detroit a few days ago for stealing three chickens from V.M. Rose, of this place [Royal Oak], was arrested before Squire Russell and sentenced to ninety days in the Detroit House of Corrections.
1877-11-28 - "Miss Josephine Newman died at the residence of V.M. Rose, in Royal Oak, Nov. 25th. The remains will be taken to Onondaga for interment."
1881-02-16 - "The Gregory brothers of New York city are stopping at V. M. Rose's."
1881-04-13 - "Virgil Rose is about to erect a new building on the grounds of the old Rose Hotel at Royal Oak."
1881-10-19 - "Mr. Virgil Rose has been erecting an addition to his barn."
1884-07-23 - "V. M. Rose is dangerously ill."
1885-08-25 - "V.M. Rose's people are making money and at the same time gaining a reputation for pure cussedness, by shutting up cattle belonging to poor people."
1885-08-25 - "During a wind storm, the other day V. M. Rose's summer kitchen was blown down and Miss Harriet Carew, received serious injuries."
1885-09-02 - "The co-partnership heretofore existing between Mr. and Mrs. Wilcox and V. M. Rose has been disolved by mutual consent."
1887--2-09 - "Circuit Court - Wm. H. Stevens vs. Virgil M. Rose, twenty days given to settle bill of exceptions and proceedings stayed."
1893-11-09 - "V.M. Rose had a cow stolen out of a field one evening last week."
1894-06-01 - "V. M. Rose has been on the sick list, but is now better."
1894-06-15 - "V. M. Rose died Thursday evening June 7th. Further notice next week."
1894-07-26 - "Mark S. Brewer and Arthur R. Tripp are commissioners on claims in the estate of Virgil M. Rose."
Obituary from the Oakland County Post, Friday, June 22, 1894.
"Died, at his residence in this village Thursday, June 7th, 1894 at 10:30 o'clock p.m., Virgil M. Rose, aged 86 years. He retired to his bed about 10 o'clock feeling exceedingly well, in fact, better than he had for some time past. He ate a hearty supper and was cracking jokes with members of the family in the early part of the evening. Mrs. C.J. Gregory, his grand-daughter had to pass by his room later in the evening and was horrified to find him dead. He had only been dead a few moments when found. Justice Stors empaneled a jury which, after viewing the remains rendered a verdict that the deceased came to his death from the effects of old age. The funeral was held at the house Monday, June 11th, conducted by Rev. A. Wood and the remains taken on the 11:45 train to Pontiac and laid to rest beside his wife, who had proceeded him by about twenty-five years. Two children are left to mourn his loss, Mrs. Harriett Dows, of Cleveland, Ohio and Mrs. Mariva Hodges of Pine Lake. The following relatives were present from a distance. Mrs. H. Dows, of Cleveland, Mariva A. Hodges of Pine Lake and Wm. Saunders of Howell. Deceased was born in Manchester, Vt., in 1808 where he lived until he was 11 years of age. He then moved with his parents to Roseville, Pa., removed from Roseville to Detroit in 1834, came to Royal Oak in 1835 and purchased a large tract of land from the government and has resided here ever since. There was seven children in his father's family, five boys and two girls, all of whom have passed away. Mr. Rose was one of the oldest pioneers in the county, having lived to see it advance from a howling wilderness in the 30's, infested by Indians and wild animals, to what it is at the present time, one of the best agricultural counties in the state."
From the Royal Oak Tribune, May 18, 1926
"The Pleasant Ridge village commission last night awarded a contract to R.D. Baker Company for the paving of Virgil Rose avenue." There is, unfortunately, no longer a street by that name in Pleasant Ridge.
15 Cordelia BAILEY13 (1808-1868) [351]. Born 1808, NY.13 Died 14 Feb 1868, Royal Oak, MI. Cause: Nervous fever. Buried Oakhill Cemetery, Pontiac, MI.
| 1 | "Michigan Birth Records". |
| 2 | "Michigan Death Index". |
| 3 | "1930 Oakland County Census". |
| 4 | "Michigan Marriage Records of Delia Dows and Charles J. Skelton". |
| 5 | "From Olympians of the Sawdust Circle by the Circus Historical Society". |
| 6 | "Skelton Familly Tree on Ancestry.com". |
| 7 | "Information provided by David Gustner". |
| 8 | "Woodlawn Cemetery Tombstone Transcriptions". |
| 9 | "Michigan Marriage License Reports on the marriage of Joseph Dows to Harriet Rose". |
| 10 | "Michigan Marriage Records". |
| 11 | "Obituary in Royal Oak Tribune, May 14, 1915". |
| 12 | "Obituary of Virgil Rose from the Oakland County Post, Friday, June 22, 1894.". |
| 13 | "Ancestry.com, Snow/Lyman Ancestors". |