Clarence Chesterfield Howerton (February 9, 1913 â€" November 18,
1975), also known as Major Mite, was an American circus performer who
starred in the sideshow for over 25 years, 20 of which were with the
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He was 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m)
tall and performed with several groups from the early 1920s through
the late 1940s, billed as the smallest man in the world. His small
physique was often contrasted alongside larger circus sideshow acts,
such as the juvenile obese and the excessively tall.Regarded as a
"highly successful sideshow [novelty]" and celebrity, Howerton visited
the White House and represented recruitment efforts of the United
States Marine Corps. He was featured in multiple films, including a
role as a Munchkin in 1939's The Wizard of Oz. He retired in
1949.Clarence Chesterfield Howerton was born on February 9, 1913, in
Salem, Oregon, to Frank and Helen Howerton. He had five brothers, all
of whom grew to 6 ft (1.83 m) tall. However, Howerton grew to a height
of only 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m). An expert said that he might have a
"deranged ductless gland". Howerton's mother was just over 4 ft 0 in
(1.22 m) tall, which led some to wonder if his small stature was
inherited.
1975), also known as Major Mite, was an American circus performer who
starred in the sideshow for over 25 years, 20 of which were with the
Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He was 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m)
tall and performed with several groups from the early 1920s through
the late 1940s, billed as the smallest man in the world. His small
physique was often contrasted alongside larger circus sideshow acts,
such as the juvenile obese and the excessively tall.Regarded as a
"highly successful sideshow [novelty]" and celebrity, Howerton visited
the White House and represented recruitment efforts of the United
States Marine Corps. He was featured in multiple films, including a
role as a Munchkin in 1939's The Wizard of Oz. He retired in
1949.Clarence Chesterfield Howerton was born on February 9, 1913, in
Salem, Oregon, to Frank and Helen Howerton. He had five brothers, all
of whom grew to 6 ft (1.83 m) tall. However, Howerton grew to a height
of only 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m). An expert said that he might have a
"deranged ductless gland". Howerton's mother was just over 4 ft 0 in
(1.22 m) tall, which led some to wonder if his small stature was
inherited.
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