Mack and Peggy MacDonald were one of the best know elephant trainer and presenter teams in the U. S.
Mack MacDonald was born on November 15, 1903, by age sixteen both of Mack's parents had died. After the death of his parents Mack serve for four years in the United States Navy and then the Merchant Marines.
In 1932 MacDonald joined the Ringling Bros and Barnum & Bailey, first working on the train crew. In 1933 he began working in the elephant department under the direction of George Denman. In 1934 Mack went out with the Ringling owned Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus, in 1935 he was on the Al G. Barnes Circus then back to the Ringling in 1936.
In 1939 - 1940 Mack was in charge of the elephant herd on the Bud Anderson Show then Wallace Bros. Circus in 1941 and 1942.
During Word War II MacDonald served in the United States Army Air Corps as a radio instructor for B-17 crews.
After his military service, MacDonald worked on the Russell Bros. Circus, Polack Bros. and the Cecil Montgomery Circus
In 1947 while working on Bob Stevens' "Bailey. Bros Circus", Mack met Peggy Henderson daughter of Lew and Alice Mary (Foreman) Henderson, who was performing on the show at the time.
Peggy Florence Henderson was born August 11, 1923 on the road during the evening performance of her father's "Henderson Comedy Company" at Glenwood, Minnesota. The Henderson family had worked on circuses and repertory shows for many years and did variety of acts.
Peggy and Mack continued to present elephant acts for many years until they retired to their home in Texas.
Mack MacDonald died on September 22, 1983 in San Antonio, , Texas.
After Mack's death, with failing health Peggy move to Marquette Michigan to live with her sister Billie (Henderson) Schuller.
Peggy Florence Henderson MacDonald died July 16, 2008.
Both Peggy and Mack are interred at the Belton Cemetery Belton Missouri, near the Henderson family plot.
In 1980 Mack MacDonald was inducted into the International Circus Hall of Fame.
In 1989 Peggy MacDonald was inducted into the International Circus Hall of Fame. |
