Andrew Downie

Career Early on, he joined his brother Murdock in a tightrope act for the George W. Donaldson Circus, traveling via horse-drawn wagons. It was consolidated with Sig Sautelle's pavilion shows during the summer of 1886.

He joined Ryan & Robinson in 1886, worked with Lowande & Hoffman in 1887, and served as an aerialist and clown with Irwin Bros. during 1887–88.

He tied the knot in 1890 with Christena Hewer from Guelph, Ontario, who was known by the stage name Millie LaTena.

Downie & Gallagher In February 1891, Downie partnered with P. J. Gallagher, a respected Medina cigar dealer, who purchased a half interest in the railroad show. The partnership led to a two-car railroad circus that set off on tour.

While the show was in winter quarters, Downie stayed with Gallagher in Medina, New York and, in October 1891, toured Manitoba and British Columbia with his wife. Downie & Gallagher's Circus was dealt a minor setback on December 26, 1891, when fire swept through the barns of Chauncey Mead in Medina. Stored there was part of the circus's equipment, valued at about $3,000, which was entirely destroyed and uninsured.

While wintering in Medina, McPhee conceived the idea of using boats on the Erie Canal and Great Lakes. This gave access to the cheaper rates offered by water transport. A Medina lawyer promptly obtained the release of all men five days later, with Downie remaining on $500 bail.

The actor and acrobat moved to Medina, New York, in 1893. He formed Downie & Gallagher's Big Acme Minstrels, performing in Buffalo, New York, as early as January 1893.

He launched Downie's Uncle Tom's Cabin show in 1895.

McPhee's Big Dramatic and Vaudeville Co. By January 1899, he started out with his repertory company which became "McPhee's Big Dramatic and Vaudeville Co.," touring the Western United States. He bought two railroad cars and transformed them into show sleepers suitable for use with his company. He carried a company of nearly 30, a band and orchestra, and his wife, Milie LaTena, as leading woman. His niece Florence Forrester did child parts and was featured in her specialties between the acts. He took the company from Winnipeg to the Pacific Coast, complete with scenery, wardrobe, and portable bleachers that could be set up in vacant stores and warehouse barns.

McPhee established Downie's World's Best Dog And Pony Shows by 1910, featuring seventy-three dogs and twenty-two ponies.

He shipped his show to Oxford, Pennsylvania in the fall of 1910. He was with the Downie & Wheeler Show until the 1913 season. The veteran showman ran it for seven years.

Downie sold the Walter L. Main outfit for $75,000 cash to the Miller Bros. of the 101 Ranch in 1924. Afterward, he retired to Havre de Grace, Maryland, where he devised the scheme of moving a large railroad circus by truck. He adapted the entire circus for motor truck travel, making it the first circus to be transported successfully by this method. In under five years, his success led every circus operator but John Ringling to leave the rails.