Recalling the Circus: Rhinelander Man has Storied History with Circuses Throughout 1900s

Edward Gropengeiser was born in Rhinelander in 1903. His parents, Fred and Emma Gropengeiser were German immigrants, and his father worked in the paper mill as a pattern maker. Eddie was born with a birth defect and was unable to walk or use his legs. The early twentieth century was not a particularly accommodating time for people with disabilities, so Gropengeiser never attended public school. Nevertheless, he was intellectually curious and was fortunate to have parents who recognized his abilities. In those days when a circus came to town it was a major event. The entire community turned out to watch the circus performers disembark from the train then parade through town. When still very young, Gropengeiser’s father took him to one of these circus parades in Rhinelander. Observing how delighted his young son was as the performers and steam calliope passed by, Fred Gropengeiser vowed to make certain Eddie would never miss any circus parade or Big Top performance that came to