John and Jacob Cassel

Before the turn of the century, John (d. 1910) and Jacob Cassel (d. 1909) born in 1871, twin sons of Mr. and Mrs. Adam B. Cassel of Blenheim Township, Oxford County, gained considerable fame as tightrope and trapeze artists, and balloonists. They ascended to approximately 500 feet landing by parachute and gave many performances throughout Waterloo County.

The accomplished athletic brothers spent some time traveling with circuses in the USA and Jacob worked with a medicine show as a magician and sharpshooter.

In his early forties, John Cassel was injured in a fall which resulted in his death in 1910. He resided in Marion, Indiana, at the time of his accident. Prior to that, he had lived in Louisville, Kentucky, LaPorte, Indiana and in Alabama. John died on August 18, 1910 in Evansville, Indiana at the age of 38. He was buried in Louisville, Kentucky.

Jacob Cassel was also injured from a fall but only partially recovered. He spent time recuperating at his mother’s house in New Dundee, and after several months, he continued to perform some of his stunts. He died at the age of 37 from a heart condition on April 14, 1909, the year before his brother died. He died while in Louisville, Kentucky but was buried in the Blenheim Mennonite Cemetery, outside of Washington, Ontario.