Robert Engford & Family

Robert Engford, born in 1883, came to America with his mother, father, brothers, and one sister. In Germany, his father owned a fleet of fishing boats. His mother often told how the women would wave good-bye as the boats left to go fishing then, watched, waited and worried until they had safely returned.

Robert and his family arrived in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, a gathering place for German settlers at the turn of the century (c. 1900). Here he was raised, and as a teenager, helped the family income by working in a bakery. He learned to bake large batches of bread, pies and sweet rolls. Although his life took a much different direction, he always enjoyed baking. He baked all of the bread, rolls and pies for three generations of the Engford family until his death in 1967, at age 83.

As young men, Robert and his brother Bill developed an interest in physical fitness. They attended the Milwaukee Turn Verine, eventually excelling in the then, very unusual art of hand balancing, along with extreme front and back bending. Learning and accomplishing all they could, Robert went beyond, to invent and create such technically difficult hand-balancing feats, that to this day, the only other person to duplicate these was his son, Harry.

In Milwaukee, Robert met and married Amanda Raduchel. (Photo) A tiny, but agile woman, Robert taught her, and she became a very important addition to his unusual work---- actually sometimes being the "understander" in this team---- see photo that illustrates Robert supporting Amanda's weight with ease. The technical difficulty of performing these unique feats on "life", as opposed to a stationary object, was duplicated only by his son, Harry and his wife, Lois.

Robert and Amanda Engford bought the Engford Family Home, which is now known as the "Circus House" in May of 1923. Their son, Harry, was 18 years old then, and their daughter, Florence, 14 years old. Because Plover is centrally located in the State of Wisconsin, it was the perfect base for "Engford Family Shows" to use as their headquarters.

The original letters concerning the sale of the house and property, between Robert Engford and Walter Barnsdale Sr. are on file at the Portage County Historical Society. Three generations of Engfords called this "home". Florence Engford lived there for 75 years and, also saw it on its’ new site at Heritage Park in Plover, where it is to be restored and preserved, as a gift from the Engford Family, for all to enjoy and experience a bit of the past in Portage County.

Walter Barnsdale Sr. and his family lived across the street from the Engford Family home. Two of Walter Barnsdales’ sons were circus performers. They were Richard Barnsdale, and Frankie Barnsdale. The only circus performers to ever live in the house known as the "Circus House", were The Engfords. A very unique record is, with the exception of the years during World War Two (1942-1945), there has been an "Engford" performing every year from 1909 to the year 2000.

During the 1920’s and 1930’s, Engford Family Shows traveled all over Wisconsin, during the warm weeks of spring and summer. Setting up the tent and taking it down in each town, and exhibiting amazing feats of gymnastics, both on the ground,, and in the air. All of the Engfords were also musicians. (Photo of musical act.)

Winter months were spent in Plover. Both Harry and Florence (Photo) studied music under Professor Wzalkevich. The huge Grand Piano that stood in the parlor of the Engford home for over 60 years, (and will stand there again upon completion of the restoration), originally belonged to the Professor.

Harry also studied violin, (Photo) and played second chair in the Stevens Point symphony, as a young man. One or two winters, he had a radio show, playing the accordion. Florence played the piano all her life, both for her own enjoyment, and to accompany sing-a-longs while visiting nursing homes in the area.

Florence and Harry both sang in the choir at the Methodist Church in Plover. In fact, it was in the very Church that now is there in Heritage Park, and also in the choir, that Harry met Lois Espenscheid, who would become his wife. For quite some years, Harry also conducted Sunday School Class at the Methodist Church in the winter months.

Example of very difficult physical dexterity. You can see Robert’s hands gripping a small block. This block was attached to a "board" strapped around Amanda’s waist. (Photo) This small block was on a revolve-rachet, and Robert "revolved" in a complete circle while holding this handstand position. Note, also, that this handstand position was not "pressed" into Robert "kicked up" from the floor---- this required endless practice, because the kick or "strike" had to be perfect. With the hands in this close, wrist-to- wrist position----Amanda as a "living table", with the natural movement of "life", there was little leeway for error. Robert and Amanda’s son, Harry Engford, is the only other person to duplicate this original feat. 

This is an Original trick (Photo), created by Robert Engford (in back-bend on table). Difficulty factor is, "life" at both ends of pole, causing movement no matter how steady the hold. Lois Engford, in backbend at bottom end of inclined pole. Harry Engford, walking hand-over-hand from top of pole to other end, as opposed to "side-ways", which would be easier. And, at the bottom, as this photo shows, holding a "one-hand" position a truly remarkable feat! Amanda Engford standing. Florence Engford hanging in "birdsnest" under pole.

During the cold winters of those early years, both Harry and Florence studied art. An example of Florences’ talent hangs in the current Methodist Church in Plover. It is a painting she called, "Jesus knocking at the Door".

 Harry did all the art-work for the posters, stationery, lettering on trucks, etc. for "Engford Family Shows".

The tented version of "Engford Family Shows" closed in 1939. After that, Harry, Lois, and children, Ruth and David continued to travel and perform for other shows, and at Fairs, Theatres and Clubs all over the U.S.A. Settling in Chicago in 1960, Harry, using his knowledge from booking the family "tented" circus, booked his own "indoor" Engford Show, using other performers and acts. This he did until his death in 1973.

Ruth Engford married performer, Frank Clark, in 1966, underneath a flying helicopter. They have performed together, as aerialists, continually from then, until the year 2000.

Robert and Harry Engford also dressed as clowns for a specialty hand-to-hand balancing act called "The Forges Bros." (Photo. Little dog is "Buddy", a family pet, who also performed in the show.)