Entertainer. Born Charles Edward Rüngeling, one of seven sons of German immigrant and harness maker, August Rüngeling. After moving to Baraboo, Wisconsin the brothers Ringling created and performed a vaudeville-type show in Mazomanie, Wisconsin, on November 27, 1882. Two years later, the Ringling Brothers were able to open their first circus. By 1887, the growing Ringling brothers’ show was called Ringling Bros. United Monster Shows, Great Double Circus, Royal European Menagerie, Museum, Caravan, and Congress of Trained Animals. By 1900, Ringling Brothers had one of the largest shows in the country and began absorbing other circuses. In 1907, the Ringlings purchased their largest competitor, Barnum & Bailey Circus; The Greatest Show on Earth became the property of the Ringlings for $400,000. Charles was the operating manager in charge of production for the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He was an early settler and developer of Sarasota, Florida. He donated land for a courthouse for the newly created Sarasota County and founded Sarasota’s third bank, the Ringling Bank and Trust Company. He was a working president of the Sarasota Chamber of Commerce when he died. Ringling Boulevard in Sarasota is named for him. (bio by: Iola)  Family links:  Parents:  August Ringling (1826 – 1898)  Saloma Juliar Ringling (1833 – 1907)  Spouse:  Edith Conway Ringling (1869 – 1953)*  Children:  Hester Ringling Sanford (1893 – 1965)*  Robert Edward Ringling (1897 – 1950)*  Siblings:  Al Ringling (1852 – 1916)*  August G. Ringling (1854 – 1907)*  George Ringling (1856 – 1856)*  Otto Ringling (1858 – 1911)*  Alfred Theodore Ringling (1860 – 1919)*  Charles Ringling (1863 – 1926)  John Ringling (1866 – 1936)*  Henry Ringling (1868 – 1918)*  Ida Ringling North (1874 – 1950)* *Calculated relationshipCause of death: Cerebral Hemorrhage