Time Period: 1900’s - 1963Submitted by: Peter Shrake

John M. Kelley (1873-1963) was a native of Portage, WI. After a brief stint as attorney for the City of Baraboo he was hired in 1905 by Charles Ringling to handle a series of lawsuits for the circus which involved a blowdown, an event where one or more tents is knocked down by a windstorm. Kelley won not only this case, but all other suits brought against the circus relating to this incident. Impressed by this success, the Ringlings retained Kelley as their attorney until 1937. Kelley was also involved in Wisconsin politics and the dairy industry and in later years played a crucial role in the establishment of Circus World Museum.