|
Clarence Chesterfield Howerton (February 9, 1913 – November 18, 1975), also known as Major Mite, was an American circus performer who starred in the sideshow for over 25 years, 20 of which were with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He was tall and performed with several groups from the early 1920s through the late 1940s, billed as the smallest man in the world. His small physique was often contrasted alongside larger circus sideshow acts, such as the juvenile obese and the excessively tall. Regarded as a "highly successful sideshow ()" and celebrity, Howerton visited the White House and represented recruitment efforts of the United States Marine Corps. He was featured in multiple films, including a role as a Munchkin in 1939's ''The Wizard of Oz''. He retired in 1949. ==Early life== Clarence Chesterfield Howerton was born on February 9, 1913, in Salem, Oregon, to Frank and Helen Howerton.〔Census entry for Helen Crawford and Clarence Howerton. Clarence, age 27, born in Oregon. Year: 1940; Census Place: New York, New York, New York; Roll: T627_2633; Page: 3A; Enumeration District: 31-439. Ancestry.com. 1940 United States Federal Census (on-line ).〕 He had five brothers, all of whom grew to 6 ft (1.83 m) tall.〔 However, Howerton grew to a height of only .〔 An expert said that he might have a "deranged ductless gland". Howerton's mother was just over tall, which led some to wonder if his small stature was inherited.〔 At age six, Howerton was living in McCleary, Washington, with his parents and five brothers, Albert, Ernest, Forrest, LeRoy, and Charles. His father was employed at the time as a factory mechanic.〔 Howerton never attended school, likely due to his physical size and associated emotional consequences. In January 1926, Frank Howerton shot himself, having been in poor health previously.〔 His mother subsequently remarried to Robert Crawford. At the time of the 1930 United States Census, Howerton was living with Crawford and his mother in Manhattan. According to the Census listing, Crawford was a "showman" while Howerton and his mother were identified as performers.〔Census entry for Robert Crawford, Helen Crawford, and Clarence Howerton. Howerton, age 17, born in Oregon. Year: 1930; Census Place: Manhattan, New York, New York; Roll: 1551; Page: 14B; Enumeration District: 355; Image: 268.0; FHL microfilm: 2341286. Ancestry.com. 1930 United States Federal Census (on-line ).〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Clarence Chesterfield Howerton」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
|