Joe Lemke Chimps
Posted By thecircusblog on November 20, 2010
On the motorcycle are Sammy and Susie and in the back ground are Marvin and Joe to the right. Photo from the Mary Gray Frasier collection.
About the author
thecircusblog
My name is Ivan M. Henry and I am the 4th generation of a circus/show business dynasty. I hope you enjoy the blog.Comments
11 Responses to “Joe Lemke Chimps”
Leave a Reply
Please note: Comment moderation is currently enabled so there will be a delay between when you post your comment and when it shows up. Patience is a virtue; there is no need to re-submit your comment.
In my family tree search, I found that my relative Katherine Mandt Lemke, her husband, George Lemke had a son; Joe Lemke who had a chimp act. Kathernine was the sister of my paternal grandfather, Joseph Henry Mandt. Katherine’s nephews were my father, Joseph William, his brothers, Robert, Marcellus, and Donald. Of these nephews only Donald and Robert are living. Donald is the one who said he remembered a chimp act in the Lemke family line. I would like more information on Joe Lemke and his chimp act. I am attempting to put together a family tree archival scrapbook of pictures and stories so any information you can share would be great. This picture is GREAT, but I would love any thing else you might be able to share. Thanks, Diane Mandt Whitaker
Hi Ms Whitaker,
I knew Joe and Marvin and actually worked in the chimp act with them during the summer of 1959 on the Gil Gray Circus. For me it was just a summer job between my freshman and sophomore years in college, but even though I didn’t make much money, it was great fun. We toured north-central USA and Alberta and Saskatchewan, Canada. Joe’s act was one of the highlights of the show. He had two big female chimps (Martha and Mary), one 6-8 year old male and a baby. My job was handling props and taking care of the baby and Mary.
I will see if I can find a couple of photos to send you (separate), if you can send your email address. I believe I have one of Joe’s promotional photos, too.
Let me know if you’re intrested.
Best wishes,
Dev George
I forgot to say that the photo shows Joe in the background, not to the right, which is Marvin. I was mistaken about the female’s names, however, it was Martha and Suzie, and Sammy was the male. The baby’s name was Shimba.
Dev
My husband’s uncle was Joe Lemke. Joe lived in Mequite, TX right outside Dallas. Joe’s brother Jerry was my father-in-law up to a few years ago when he passed. He was married to Elizabeth Weidenhoft. I remember visiting Joe at a few of his shows down south, (we live in WI), Jerry had to sit way bsck in the crowd so Suzie could not spot him as she would get confused seeing both brothers together and that would disrupt the show.
Suzie was very talented for sure, she would even smoke cigarettes. Joe had been on the Ed Sullivan show a few times with his act and we still have an original contract for appearances he made there. Joe passed away about 8 or so years ago, was in a nursing home after a stroke. Suzie has some kind of memorial @ Circus Circus in Reno, NV we were told but have not been there to see it. We do have some props from the show yet and pictures that my husband still had. Today he just went up to Baraboo, WI to give copies of photos that we had for their museum.
Hope this helps,
Debbie L., WI
I am researching the Varner family. Marvin Varner traveled with Joe Lemke many years. Any photos, info on Marvin and his children would be appreciated.
I traveled with this act. marvin was my uncle and joanne my aunt. uncle marvin and uncle joe I called him put me on working as a candy butcher, some dates working props. I have tons of photos, stories, but mostly memories. really happy to see this story. uncle joe and uncle marvin also had THE ALMOST HUMAN GORILLIA ACT. THANK YOU CHRIS circopunk2@outlook.com
Joe lemke was my great grandfather
The following is from my writing of my early years:. I was born in June 1928 and lived just a few blocks from Joe. We were childhood friends.
“A path cut the woods in half at McMyron Street. The children, living east of the woods, used the path to walk to and from school. I had many friends who lived in that neighborhood. The path they walked upon wound its way and continued West through the woods to 89th, and into more woods on the other side of the street to 90th. The woods and path continued, finally breaking out at 91st Street and La Follette grade school. All of these streets were of gravel at that time.
Some of my friends, who lived in the McMyron Street area, were Dennis Brandt, Junior Berquist, Bobby Wendland, Crystal Verburght, and Joe Lemke.
Joe Lemke was one of the most interesting persons I ever met in the old neighborhood. He took an early interest in the Fair Park’s midway. He became so obsessed with it that his mother allowed him to build a midway of his own in their side and back yard. It was no small operation, and when I think back about it I can not believe he accomplished what he did. There was a resemblance to a merry-go-round, an airplane swing, and even a crude, but functional Ferris wheel! He had the “spill the milk” ball game, break the balloon with a dart game, and he used empty milk crates for a ball toss game. All of the neighborhood children helped him in the project, and in return we received ride and game coupons. We had to take turns in propelling the rides because they were designed for “kid power” only. It became a very entertaining place to play.
When Joe became of age to leave home he joined a traveling carnival. Later he trained monkeys and eventually put his own monkey show on the road with a circus. A fond memory was when Dolores and I took Judy, Jane, and Tom to a Shrine Circus at the Milwaukee Arena. Joe was a part of the troop and before the circus began I and the children went “back stage”, down into the area where all of the performers were quartered. Joe was very happy to see me once again and invited us to come back after the performance.
We watched the thrilling circus, and Tom, about four years old, was seeing his first live circus. He was so fascinated by the three rings performing at one time he exclaimed, “Daddy, you have to have three eyes to watch this circus!” After the performances were over we went back to Joe’s trailer. He treated the children very kindly and introduced his monkey performers. They were able to touch and pet the stars of the act. It was a very special moment for all of us.
This past summer (1994) I happened to go to a block rummage in the old McMyron neighborhood. The family living in the old Lemke home had some items for sale. I walked into their yard, noticing there were no vacant fields about the house anymore. Homes were standing where Joe had built his midway in the 1930’s. I asked the owner if she was familiar with the Lemke family history. She said she was, that her parents had bought the home from the Lemke’s before she was born. Her father told her he had found different pieces of circus apparatus in the basement, including monkey cages and animal training equipment. Like most of my childhood friends, I would not see Joe again after that exciting day at the circus with Judy, Jane, and Tom.
I to am related to Joe also! I am Diane Mandt Whitaker’s cousin. Diane’s father (Joe) was my father’s (Marcellus) brother. It is funny how we remember what we remember and when we do. Last week one day a memory of attending the circus at the Mower County Fair grounds in Austin, MN way back in the late 50’s or early 60’s entered my mind. I must have been very young because I remember little of the event. I remember leaving the grandstand area after the performance and going onto the infield to meet the legendary circus performer! I, like Jerry mentioned above, fondly remember meeting some of the stars of the show. I to remember the feeling of being welcomed backstage by Joe. Unfortunately that was about the extent of my memory. My uncle Don was able to fill me in on some details about Joe. I very much enjoyed reading the posted comments. Joe’s life is a true testament to the statement that who we are is defined by what we do.
I worked with Circus Gatti during the 1988 season — Joe was with us all season with two chimps. Do you know if he was there in 1990? Today I read a very brief item about an unfortunate incident at Gatti Circus 1990, involving two chimps.
Hi all, glad to see this discussion continues after all these years. Previously, my grandmother Debbie and my sister Caitlyn commented on this post. Just wanted to thank you all for the personal stories and interest.
Steve – I can’t say if Joe was at Gatti Circus or involved in this incident but I can ask Debbie about it. I wouldn’t think he was, I’ve never heard about such an incident nor do I even think he was involved in circus business in the 90s because of his age, but I’ll ask her regardless.
Anyone else who has anything to share about Joe please comment, I’d love to hear all about it!