Professional Wrestler Ancestry

Research by Tim Hornbaker
Last Updated: March 23, 2011
Contact: THornbaker@aol.com

Alley, Tom:

Born on August 7, 1901 in Hatfield, Missouri. Trained by James H. Alldredge. Reportedly
appeared in the films, Rackety Rax and Deception. Was on a California boat listing for the RMS
Makura on December 20, 1929 from Wellington with his wife Rosebell Alley of Morris, MN and his
two year old son John Zeiger Alley, born on December 25, 1927 in Pineville, Oregon.

Baptiste, George:

St. Louis resident, wrestler, businessman, and the trainer for physical culture guru Bernarr
MacFadden. Baptiste wrestled in the late 1800s through the early part of the 20th Century, and
dropped important matches to Farmer Burns and Dan McLeod. After retiring from active duty, he
became a referee in St. Louis. He was born on September 19, 1864 and died on December 1,
1938. He lived at 5519 A Herbert St., and was married to Lillian. He was in business with his
brother Louis (Lew) Baptiste in a Tent and Awning Company. Louis was born on December 25,
1868 and died on May 26, 1935. Lew also refereed matches in St. Louis.

Bartush, Billy:

Sailed from Cherbourg, France, arriving in New York on April 4, 1934. Also on the ship were Karl
Pojello and wife Olga. It is quite possible that Pojello was menoring Bartush, who was courted out
of college to be a wrestling professional. Bartush was born on August 20, 1908 and from
Chicago. His career lasted around 20 or so years, but never broke into the top tier.

Clancy, Mike:

One of the harder people to track down clear biographical information on. General press reports
explained that he was from Boston, born around 1931, stood 5’10” and weighed around 210. He,
of course, was of Irish descent, and began his wrestling career as an amateur at Warren Academy
and at the Boston YMCA. A Tulsa paper stated that he reportedly had three children in July 1961,
Mike Jr. (13), Steven (9), and Timothy Patrick (3). Another paper stated that his father died on
Wednesday, June 15, 1955 in Boston. Clancy was wrestling in San Antonio that night.

An accomplished professional, Mike Clancy turned out to not be a “Michael Clancy,” as first
presumed. He was actually born Christopher Clancy on September 9, 1924 in Woburn,
Massachusetts. He died on June 15, 1988. He was a Tulsa County Sheriff and owned the Clancy’
s Pizza Parlor in Tulsa. His parents were John J. and Mary A. Clancy.

It should be noted that this Clancy can’t be confused with another “Mike Clancy,” who, in 1953
went on a shooting rampage in British Columbia. That Clancy was a “wrestler” whose real name
was Daniel William O’Connor. His aliases were “Mike Clancy” and “Bob Collins.” This wrestler was
born in 1927 and worked the “Eastern Wrestling Circuit” around 1952, perhaps parts of Detroit,
Buffalo, and into Canada.

Claybourne, Jack:

Famous African American wrestler Jack Claybourne was born to James and Ella Craig Claybourne
on March 8, 1910 in Portland, Oregon. He died on January 7, 1960 in Los Angeles.

Daily, Owen:

Daily held the World Lightweight championship during the 1910s. He was born to William Levi and
Frances Isabelle Smith Daily on March 22, 1888 in Stansbury, Missouri and died on June 11, 1956
in Minden, Nebraska. In addition to wrestling, he once was a jockey and also farmed. In 1923, he
boxed a professional match. His real name was Stanley Daily.

Dick the Bruiser:

The legendary Dick the Bruiser, born William F. Afflis on June 27, 1929 in Lafayette, Indiana. His
family was located in the 1930 United States Federal Census, and Dick was the son of “William
W.” and Margaret Afflis, and living in Delphi, IN. His father was listed as “Walter William Afflis” in
the World War I Draft records, said to be from Reed City, Michigan. Whether it is William or
Walter, I don’t know, but he was a druggist, and the Afflises were an affluent family in Delphi. The
father died sometime between 1940 and 1946, and Margaret remarried Roy Johnston of
Indianapolis.

Margaret was heavy into politics and on the Democratic State Committee for 17 years. The
“papers” of Margaret Afflis are at the Indiana State Library.

Estes Brothers, The:

Balk and Johnny “Toots” Estes were two known grapplers in the 1930s. They’d both participated
in collegiate wrestling, and Toots broke into the business first, reportedly, then trained his younger
brother Balk. Later, Balk became a promoter in Hammond, Indiana, then the “front” for Jim Barnett
in Indianapolis. For many years, historians wondered about their backgrounds – their legitimate
real names – and when they were born and died.

An article in an Oklahoma newspaper shed more light, revealing that Balk was born Malcolm A.
Estes and that Johnny “Toots” was really Lenwood T. Estes. They were raised by their mother
Rosa in Elk City, OK. Further research revealed that Balk was born on March 8, 1913 and died
on July 1, 2004 in Enid, while Lenwood was born on September 25, 1909 and passed in
September 1961.

Felice, Tony:

Felice’s real name was Antonio Fedisich and he was born in Pontamica Zaro, Italy around 1897.

Ginsberg, Benny:

Another hard case to solve. Many different variations to his story. A 1953 Long Beach
newspaper report stated that he wrestled as a pro as early as World War I and was an AAU
champion. He was said to have wrestled both Frank Gotch and Farmer Burns. Hard to prove any
of these tales. A product of Chicago, and called the former Jewish heavyweight champion of the
world. In 1931, he was married with three children. Nickname was “Baron.” Settled in Southern
California, where he was a referee between the late 1930s and ‘50s. Lived in Van Nuys.
Managed Enrique Torres for a time.

Grandovich, John:

The Florida State Heavyweight champion for a period in the 1930s, Grandovich was actually
located on a Florida Passenger manifest from Havana on November 7, 1934. He was born in Olib,
Jugoslavia and was 37 years of age. He gave his occupation as “wrestler.” Grandovich’s career
lasted between the 1910s and the ‘40s, and was billed as being from Russia, Maine, Chicago,
Jugoslavia and Poland at different times. He worked all over North America.

Grandovich was located again the World War I Draft Records, giving his birth date as February
10, 1897 in Olab, Slovania, Austria. His employer in Manhattan was Chris Petrovich and his
brother was Sam Grandovich.

Guthrie, Elmer:

Guthrie claimed that he was blacklisted from the major syndicates for shooting on an opponent in
the ring. Originally from Hutchinson, Kansas, he was born on August 10, 1896. It seems that
wrestling was a way to suppliment his income during the 1920s and ’30s, as he worked other
civilian jobs. It is likely he died in October 1969 in Pittsburg, Camp County, Texas. According to
the SSDI, an Elmer Guthrie was born on August 10, 1897 and died that month and year. An
obituary would confirm this.

Hall, Dr. Len:

A World Champion in Minnesota and regional champion elsewhere, Hall was a top journeyman
and a real world dentist. Known as a tough guy, he conceivably could knock a few of your teeth
out in the ring, and then help fix you back up in the dressing room. Hall was born on December
10, 1905 in Pleasanton, Nebraska. After a tour of France, where he wrestled at local arenas, Hall
returned to New York in December 1936 on the Champlain. Also on board were the Wright
Brothers, Ruby and Jim. Hall was another world traveler, visiting Australia and other points of
interest. In the 1930 U.S. Census, Leonard Hall was listed as a Drug Store Salesman in Los
Angeles. He died in June 1971.

Hamlin, Virgil:

Northwestern Promoter was born on October 24, 1892 in Wilbur, Oregon and died on March 3,
1972 in Portland. Wife was Genevieve.

Hanly Brothers, The:

Frank and Ray Hanly (also spelled Hanley) were the top promoters in Camden in the 1930s and
‘40s, and gave a young Herman Rohde work under the guise of their Twin Cities Athletic Club
(545 Cooper Street). Their city used workers also moving in and out of Philadelphia and up into
the New York City area. Frank Hanly was born “John Francis Hanly” on March 4, 1886 in San
Francisco. He lived on Browning Lane in Camden. Ray was born “Raymond Elliott Hanly” on
November 26, 1893 in Oakland. Ray died in August 1964. Don’t know when Frank died. In the
1930 U.S. Federal Census, 44 year old Frank and 36 year old Raymond both lived with their
mother Harriet in Audubon, NJ. They were said to be Real Estate Agents.

Hanson, Charley:

Called the second Frank Gotch by excitable promoters in the late 1910s and early ’20s, Hanson
was born around 1892. He was trained by Farmer Burns and a known shooter and carnival
hustler. His family was located in the 1900 and 1910 U.S. Censuses, the first in Marshall County
Minnesota (District 110, Tamarac). Charley was the son of Nels and Katerina Hanson and his
father labored as a farmer. Ten years later, the family had migrated to Everett Ward 5 in
Snohomish County, Washington, and Nels, Nels Jr., Victor, and Charley all worked in a Saw Mill.

Henning, Lee:

Known as “Bulldog,” Lee Henning was born on August 15, 1913 in Iowa, the son of Louie and
Edna Henning. Christened “Leland Henning,” he worked at his father’s café as a youngster, and
wrestled between the 1930s and ’70s. He died on October 11, 1977. The family lived in Cresco,
Howard County, Iowa in 1930.

Johnson Brothers, The:

Gust and Alf Johnson were well known ring artists from the Minnesota area. One of the
Minneapolis researchers may have uncovered more about these two and their background, but as
of now, much remains questionable. Research turns up Gust Johnson on a boat from Honolulu in
December 1941 to Los Angeles, giving his occupation as wrestler and age as 39 years old. He
was born in Varobacka, Sweden about 1902.

There was a near match that may actually be 100% correct in the United States Federal Census
for 1930. Gust Johnson was the head of a household in Minneapolis, age 28, with brothers Alfred
and Carl. Alfred was 30 and Carl was 33. All were born in Sweden. Gust, however, listed his
occupation as Proprietor of a Boarding House. Alfred was a laborer of odd jobs. Perhaps these
are accurate, and Gust entered wrestling within the year and Alf prior to 1934. Or this could be
the wrong family entirely.

Judson, Frank:

A duel sport star at Harvard (football/wrestling) and a coach, Frank Judson was highly touted as a
future champion around 1926. He was thought by some to have had the career Gus Sonnenberg
later had, but wrestle with legitimate skills. However, sometime in 1926 in the Midwest, Judson
reportedly suffered a “displaced vertebrae,” and was confined to a bed for months. He was taken
to a sanitarium and remained there for 18 months. Doctors said that he would never wrestle
again. Judson did return, but he was never on the same skyrocketing career path that he once
was. In fact, the wrestling scene had changed, and many collegiate athletes were on the pro mat
making waves. Judson’s time to shine had passed.

Now whether these statements are 100% true, it is not proven, but it is an interesting tale. The
fact is that Judson was being talked about very highly, and then seemed to fall into a journeyman
role in the background of the major players.

Frank Judson was not born Frank Judson. He was born Frank Joseph Jedlenski on October 24,
1896 (October 10, 1896 according to another source) and lived in Brooklyn. He served in the
United States Navy during World War I and was apart of the USO during World War II.

A well researched biography of Judson would be fascinating.

Karras, Gust:

Longtime wrestler and promoter was born on April 5, 1902 in Kalamata, Greece and died on
January 16, 1976 in St. Joseph. His wife was Goldie. His real name was Gust Karavites. Karras’
secretary was Marjorie “Margie” Eckelbery, a good friend of Jack Pfefer. In the Notre Dame Pfefer
Collection, there are many mentions of Eckelbery.

Kartje, Ernest:

A man with an often butchered last name, Ernest Kartje was born on November 12, 1882 and was
a longtime wrestler and trainer at Chicago athletic clubs. He was influential on a young Earl
Caddock and worked at the Stockyards around the time of World War I. Ernest and his wife Mary,
at the time of the 1930 Census, lived in Chicago with their daughter Josephine and son August.
Ernest was reportedly born in Austria and came to the United States in 1894. He died on April 24,
1954 in Ashland, Wisconsin.

Katonan, Paavo:

In 1939, a Finnish gentleman traveling alone arrived at the Detroit Boarder Crossing and
displayed a hefty build on his 5’8” frame. An astute observer with a keen sense for the squared
circle would recognize the individual’s profession immediately. The 29 year old Bengt Emil
Engblom had cauliflower ears, an crowning status in the grunt-and-groan industry, and he was
entering the United States for more of the same, professional wrestling matches against the tops
of the light heavyweight division. Within two years, he’d have claimed the World championship of
that division, conquering “Wild” Red Berry in Hollywood, California’s Legion Stadium, not before
establishing himself as one of the most popular wrestlers around.

The name Bengt Emil Engblom was not the one he used, of course. In wrestling, it was very
common for an athlete to take on a more “marketable” ring name. For Engblom, the name was
“Paavo Katonan.” Developing his American style of the catch-as-catch-can form in places like
Columbus, Ohio, Katonan migrated to another major non-heavyweight locale, Hollywood, in
February 1941. The promoter there, Hugh Nichols, was a big supporter of talented grapplers who
could honor the tradition of fast work and scientific marksmanship on the Legion Stadium mat.

Engblom was a heavily protected name in the world of kayfabe and even in his obituary, he was
called Paavo Katonan. The kind of secrecy surrounding his real name makes one almost believe
that they were two entirely different people. If they were, in fact, separate, they were both born on
February 22, 1910 in Finland and died on January 28, 1999 in Maricopa County, Arizona. A steep
coincidence.

Engblom was born in Nyland, Finland, while his wife Minnie Doris was from London.

Keneston, Bob:

“Sergeant” Bob Keneston was a mysterious wrestler from Gold Hill, Oregon in Jackson County.
Known as “George Keneston” during a stint in Toledo in the late 1930s, Bob was a championship
claimant in several territories, and held the National Wrestling Association World Junior
Heavyweight Title. My research narrowed down to Robert L. Keneston Sr. of Jackson County,
Oregon and a Robert L. Keneston Jr. Senior was born around 1867 in Iowa and Junior was born
around 1907-’08 in Nebraska. They lived in Gold Hill according to the 1930 U.S. Federal Census,
and Bob Jr. had a long career. In the late 1940s, he turns up in Arizona results, seemingly where
he retired. There is a man who fits his profile in the SSDI, born on September 12, 1907 and
having died in Mesa, Arizona in November 1982. His Social Security Card was issued in –
Oregon. This information seems to be correct, but an obituary would seal the deal on this story.

Krauser, Max:

Max Krauser? Is that a real name or a name given to a young roughian by the ever-creative Jack
Pfefer in the late 1930s? On a manifest from Honolulu to Los Angeles in January 1940, his name
was just “Max Krauser,” so the question still remains. However, I know that he was born in
Stanislowow, Poland and was 31 in 1940. He reportedly spent three years in the Navy during
World War II. More info on this grappler is definitely needed.

Kwariani, Kola:

Son of Nestor and Caserines Kwariani, although according to documents, his mother’s name may
be misspelled. He was born on January 3, 1903 in Koutai (Kutals?), Russia. His wife Sidonia
Kwariani was born on July 3, 1910 in Illinois. Kwariani was a globe-trotter and lived in New York
City, Paris, and many other places during his career. Random Note: On a plane from Venezuela
to New York City on July 5, 1951 with Kola were Henry “Milo” Steinborn, and Antonio and Luisa
Biasetton. Antonio was better known as “Antonino Rocca.”

Letchford, Maurice:

Letchford won the Bronze Medal at the 1928 Olympics in the freestyle welterweight category,
representing Canada. Letchford was on a listing for Detroit Border Crossings in October 1939,
giving his occupation as professional wrestler. He was born in Pretoria, South Africa around 1907
(August 27, 1908) and lived in Montreal. His father was Alvin Letchford of Montreal. He was
reportedly going to El Paso to work for promoter Harry Coffman. Not so surprisingly, Letchford
reported to the border guards that he had a Cauliflower ear (left ear). His wife was Elsie.

Lisowski, Reggie:

Reggie Lisowski, the famed strongman known as The Crusher, was born on July 11, 1926 and
reared in South Milwaukee, the son of John and Angeline. His brother Leonard was a year
younger.

Lutze, Nick:

Nick Lutze was born on January 21, 1902 and died in Los Angeles on December 23, 1955. He
was married to Charlotte. According to the 1920 United States Federal Census, “Nickalaus” lived
in Chicago with his parents, Carl and Anna Lutze. By 1930, he was in Los Angeles with his first (?)
wife Bernice and worked as a Garage Mechanic in addition to wrestling. Lutze actually owned a
garage in Beverly Hills until his death. A Karl Lutze was found in the Illinois Death Index, having
passed on February 15, 1932 in Chicago. This may be his father.

McIntyre, Don:

Wrestled in four different decades and well known for his time behind-the-scenes of the Atlanta
promotion. McIntyre was born on December 20, 1911, the son of Walter and Charlotte McIntyre,
and grew up in Kansas City, Missouri. He had a brother who was 16 years younger (according to
the 1930 U.S. Federal Census) named William, who also wrestled as Bill “Red” McIntyre. Don was
often billed as being from Otterville, Missouri. He died on November 23, 1990.

Meeker, Jerry:

An amateur wrestler in high school and at a Kansas City YMCA as a youth, Meeker turned
professional and wrestled all over the world. Born on June 23, 1915, Gerald W. Meeker was the
son of Clifford and Viona Meeker, and was one of three brothers. He worked as a
promoter/matchmaker in parts of Montana and Iowa, and retired to Los Angeles. He passed away
on October 30, 1986.

Menacker, Sam:

Longtime wrestler, TV Commentator and personality, Sam Menacker’s real name was Frank L.
Menacker. His family was found in the 1930 United States Federal Census as living in Manhattan,
New York City, Sam being the son of Abraham and Minnie Menacker. Abraham was the propreitor
of a clothing store, and later moved to Indianapolis to be near his son, and died in 1980.

Moochy, Johnny:

One of the more interesting stories in wrestling. Known as “Johnny Moochy” and “Johnny Mucci”
in wrestling circles, John David Mucciacciaro was born around 1923 in Cumberland, Wisconsin
and went to Amery High School. He was said to have joined the Marines on December 9, 1941
after the attack on Pearl Harbor and achived the rank of Private First Class. Mucciacciaro was
taken prisoner of war and held at the Osaka Main Camp Chikko Osaka in Japan. An article by
Ned Brown (NEA) that ran in papers across the country in November 1945 called him “Moochie the
Magnificent,” explaining that he was the first POW in Japan and the last one out. He was also
feared by guards. He was with the Marines on Guam and captured. His weight, while captured,
dropped from 235 to 145. Paul Bowser reportedly coaxed him into the wrestling business. His
father, John Mucciacciaro, was said to have fought under the name “Jack Moochie” in the 1920s.

There’s likely much more to this story. A little digging would probably turn up a ton.

Myers, Bob:

Well known northwestern champion amateur and professional grappler. His full name was Robert
W. Myers and he lived with his wife and three children in Lake Grove, Clackamas, Oregon when
the 1930 Census was filled out. He listed his occupation as “wrestler,” and reported that he was a
veteran. He was born around 1890 and was around 39 years of age. He had a wife named
Cecilia and children Robert, Jeanette and Marianne. Myers passed away on September 4, 1947.

Nazarian, Mike:

Armenian Mike Nazarian had a long career on the pro mat, from at least 1929 until 1953. Was
listed as a Boston resident in 1947 while traveling with wrestler Ted Travis and his wife from
Hawaii. Much still is obscured from his history, but it is known that in February 1953, near Great
Falls, Montana, Nazarian was seriously injured in a head on car accident. In the wreck, he
sustained a broken hip, 5 broken ribs, and a fractured nose. Nazarian also needed 30 stitches to
cus on his face. Billy Goelz was injured in he accident as well.

Nowina, Karol:

Many people may immediately recognize the name “Karol Nowina” and know that he was the said
nephew of the Zbyszko Brothers and worked also as “Karol” or “Karl” Zbyszko. He also stationed
himself in South America, running a successful promotion there. Peeling back this surface
information, we find more to the story.

Karol Nowina was really Karol Szczerbinski of Krakow, Poland. He was the son of Felieja (Felicia),
likely the sister of Stanislaus and Wladek, and was born around 1905. In October 1924, he
arrived in New York City at the age of 20 billed as a student Five years later, he was back in the
United States working as a professional wrestler, traveling between Chicago and Canada through
Detroit. He spoke English, Polish, and French, and lived in Paris, Buenos Aires, and New York at
different times. In the late 1930s, he also wrestled in South Africa.

Rentrop, Charles:

At times a resident of Minneapolis, Little Rock, and Memphis, Charles Rentrop was a wrestler who
claimed the Middleweight and Light Heavyweight championships of the World at various points in
his career. He was born in Hagen, Germany on August 15, 1888 and served three years in the
German Navy. He married a 17 year old Indiana girl named Christina and had three children,
Charles Jr., Walter, and William. Became a promoter after retirement and ran Memphis during the
1930s and ’40s.

I have no information on when he passed away. Christina died on January 30, 1992 in Memphis.

Reuben, Ben:

A mentor of Earl Caddock and an AAU Champion, Reuben was a coach at the Chicago Hebrew
Institute in the 1910s. He was born around 1895, the son of Russian parents (Ben and Mary), and
died on March 3, 1945 in a USO Plane Crash in Europe.

Samara, Seelie:

In the 1930s, Samara was a claimant to a regionalized “World” Heavyweight championship in the
Boston area and was on his way to national fame as a black grappler. His real name was George
Hardison. While it is not confirmed, evidence seems to lean toward his birth date being July 8,
1906 and having died in September 1964. If someone has information on him one way or
another, I’d appreciate it being sent my way.

Sebastian, Don:

On September 19, 1941, Luis Hector Monge, professional name Don Sebastian, a wrestler from
Ures, Sonora, Mexico, arrived in Los Angeles from Honolulu. He was 29 years old (born around
1911-1912). It is possible that Sebastian was born on June 28, 1911 and died in November 1987
in North Hollywood, but an obituary would be needed to confirm that they are one in the same.

Selin, Otto:

A Minnesota-regional wrestler in the 1930s. Born on August 25, 1888 and died on January 9,
1964 in Contra Costa, California. Lived in St. Paul for many years. His wife was Margaret and
had a daughter named Katherine. His real name was Erik Otto Selin and his civilian occupation
was carpenter.

Sherman, Ben:

A reputed shooter and tough guy, Ben Sherman weighed around 160-165 at his peak, winning an
AAU championship in 1929. His family was located in the 1930 Census, and Benjamin Franklin
Sherman was the son of Ben Sr. and Josie Large of Portland, Oregon. Ben was actually born in
Alaska on July 4, 1908 and had a younger brother named Ralph. Wrestling internationally and
settling in the New Mexico area, Ben worked as the local shooter for promoter Mike London and
was a referee for many years. He died in April 1981 in Albuquerque.

Silvi, John:

Silvi’s real name was Giovana V. Silvi and he was born on November 15, 1906 in Verola, Roma,
Italy, and died on February 26, 1991 in Wayne County, Michigan. His wife was Edith Elizabeth.
Silva stood 5’8” and first arrived in New York City in 1910.

Snyder, Wilbur:

According to the 1930 United States Federal Census, Wilbur was 7 months old when the report
was taken, the son of Firman and Lola Snyder and living in Santa Monica, California. Firman was
an airplane mechanic and died in March 1977. Wilbur attended Van Nuys High School.

Stojack, Frank:

A professional wrestling champion, football player, and politican, Stojack was born in Wycliff,
British Columbia on February 11, 1912 and died on April 30, 1987 on Fox Island in Washington.
He was the son of Mike and Sophia Stojack, both Austrian born, and his father worked in a car
shop. His mother reportedly died in Tacoma on November 29, 1954.

Swenski, Johnny:

Swenski’s real name was John Swensiski and he was born on March 26, 1911. He was from Lynn,
Massachusetts and died on December 9, 2001.

Taylor, Ned:

Reportedly born in 1910 in Washington, Taylor had a career in pro wrestling that lasted from the
1920s and through the ’60s. At the tail end of his time in the business, he was a key figure in the
office of Fred Kohler in Chicago. He also worked under the name “Larry Warren.” His date of
birth or death are not known.

Tiger Tsakoff:

Tiger Tsakoff was also known as Steve Nenoff. He was occasionally billed as “Tiger Nenoff
Tsakoff.” On the Matsonia from Honolulu to Los Angeles on May 29, 1940, he was listed as Steve
Yasil Tzakoff Nenoff “Steve Nenoff,” and was born around 1902 in Torose, Bulgaria. His last
residence was Toledo, Ohio. Nenoff died on March 20, 1965 in Toledo. According to the Social
Security Records, he was born on September 28, 1901.

Valentine, Johnny:

Valentine’s real name was John T. Wisneski. His family was found in the 1930 United States
Federal Census as living in Hobart, King County, Washington. John was the son of Theodore and
Ida Wisneski. His father apparently died in September 1982.

Virag, Ede:

Working on a book on the National Wrestling Alliance, I obviously had to know more about the
regional Alliance champion Ede Virag in the Kansas territory. Back in the late 1990s, while
researching at the Kansas Historical Society in Topeka, I came across a reference that Ede Virag’
s real name was Ede Ebner. Somehow, despite the importance of that reference, I lost the
clipping and left me searching for alternate sources. Proof that Virag was also Ebner came in a
letter from the latter to Jack Pfefer at Notre Dame, where he signed both names on a single piece
of paper. In the geneaological records, Ebner, 24 years old in 1937 and born in Budapest,
Hungary, sailed from Hamburg to New York and listed his occupation as a wrestler. It is likely that
Ebner hooked up with Pfefer upon arrival to the United States and that Pfefer gave him the name
“Virag.” In 1948, he flew from Paris to New York on Air France and listed his address as “Box 185,
Wichita, Kansas.”

Watkins, Tex:

Another hard man to find information on is Tex Watkins, but someone probably has more
knowledge of what happened to him. He was reportedly 31 years old in 1937 and from Bell
County, Texas. He had two daughters, Martha Jean and Mary Ann. Known as “Sailor,” he was a
wrestler in the Navy, which he joined in 1925. A 1937 newspaper stated he’d been actively
grappling for 14 years and grew up in West Texas. Parents were said to be from Mississippi. His
career lasted from the late 1920s through the late 1940s, at least. His real name was said to be
Tom Watkins.

Weidner, Billy:

Weidner held various championships during his career and later went on to serve as Deputy
Sheriff of Potter County, Texas. His real name was William Weidenauer and was born on July 21,
1903. Weidner died on January 1, 1966 while hiking in Thompson Park. He was 62.

Wright, Rube:

For a long time, Rube Wright was a mystery to historians. Some of my early notes on him pegged
him as the son of a San Bernadino Preacher and a pupil of Farmer Burns. He was said to have
been born in 1912 or 1909 and attended Northern Arizona State University, where he swam and
played football. One of his largest claims to fame was holding the World Heavyweight Title in the
early 1940s in Los Angeles. His brother Jim also wrestled.

Genealogical research found that on December 2, 1936, on the ship Champlain, a Reuben and
James Wright arrived in New York City. 29 year old Reuben was born on November 6, 1907 in
Brookesmith, Texas and James, 23, was born on February 16, 1913. These two brothers were, in
fact, the famed Wrights, and this information opened the door for all other types of basic data on
their lives that was previously unknown. In the 1910 United States Census, Reuben H. Wright,
then two years old, was living under the roof of James K. and Carrie Wright in Brown County,
Texas. In the 1930 U.S. Census, Reuben Wright was a lodger in Los Angeles and worked as a
waiter in a cafeteria.

Rube died on November 9, 1983 at the age of 76 in Klamath County, Oregon. James met an
earlier fate in July 1963, passing away during a match.

Wrestler Ancestry