John C. Pollie, the son of Henry J. and Elvira (Maas) Pollie, was born on April 28, 1905. He probably graduated from Central High School (Grand Rapids, Mich.) in 1926. John worked with his Dad, who co-owned and operated eleven circuses and carnivals which are documented in this collection, four of which they co-owned together. Beginning in 1926, John concentrated on concessions and games of chance, such as bingo. He also owned and operated Carnival Concessions in Acton (Ind.) while operating the Pollie & Kenosian Shows in Grand Rapids in 1937. John and Henry worked on a spring and summer circuit of shows and fairs. Henry's circuit in the 1920s went from Florida to Ontario. By the 1950s, John's circuit was mainly in the mid-western and Appalachian states, and eventually was limited to Mich., Ohio, and Ind. When not on the road, John worked at Kelvinator and the American Seating Company in Grand Rapids. In 1938, John married K. Bea Culver, with whom he had a happy marriage and two children: Janice (1942-) and Curtis (1947-). Bea died suddenly and tragically in November of 1957. John continued to work concessions and game of chance for local fairs and shows at least through the early 1960s. He died on May 29, 1979 and is buried besides Bea in Rosedale Memorial Park in Grand Rapids. Both John and Bea were good people who were deeply mourned by many friends and relatives when they died. John's Dad, Henry J. Pollie (1872-1937), was the son of John C. and Maude Pollie. The family emigrated from the Netherlands to Grand Rapids in 1880. Henry lived in Texas for awhile as a young man, where he likely met show people and developed a network of show friends. Henry was married to Elvira Maas from 1897 through November 1927. Following their divorce, he married Ossie (Toothman) Littleman (1893-1936), another show woman. After the divorce, Elvira (1878-1944) married a Mr. Mendiones.
From the description of Papers, 1910-1969. (Clarke Historical Library). WorldCat record id: 70125425
