He was a distant relative of P. T. Barnum [] who entered show business in 1856. He was Assistant to Hyatt Frost, VanAmburgh’s Circus, 1866; manager, Barnum and VanAmburgh’s, 1867; manager and proprietor (with O. J. Ferguson, John Lyke, and James E. Kelley) VanAmburgh & Co.’s Golden Menagerie, 1869-71; owned a 10th interest in James E. Kelley’s Howes’ Great London Circus, 1873-76. Poor economic conditions in the country forced the latter show into sale, January 29, 1877, the new owners being John Parks and Richard Dockrill. Manager, Cooper & Bailey, 1879-80; special agent, Adam Forepaugh’s, 1892-93; assistant contractor, Sells & Rentfrow, 1894; Barnum & Bailey, 1895; purchasing agent, Buffalo Bill Wild West Show, 1902.
He died in a hotel of heart failure.
The Milltown Family Cemetery, in Putnam County, is in current use and easily found on the north side of the Milltown Road.