Willliam H. Tozer - Time & Place Unknown

It is difficult for me to judge if there is a difference in age of Tozer in these photos. I am guessing that the first photo is much older than the rest, yet the backgrounds of the first and second photo appear to be the same, the face seems the same. I am confused by the size of his pants, maybe there is a story behind them, the big stick and the cigar?

Tozer at Home with Family?

William H. Tozer (others to be identified) Millville NJ

Fancy and Trick Roller Skater

William H. Tozer - Fancy and Trick Roller Skater - 223 South Third Street Millville, New Jersey

Master of Skating Stunts

Tozer was a master of many tricks and stunts on skates. Among his routine were:

The Slide for Life

Dutch and Double Dutch Roll

French Roll backward

American Roll on one toe

American Roll on heal

Single and Double Grapevine on toes

Brooklyn Bridge on heals

Flying Eagle on heals fwd and backward

Floor Circumference on one toe and heal

Dutch Twist Waltz movement

Eagle two step

Double heal and toe waltz and spin

Corkscrew Spin

One toe spin

Human Frog skating on hands

Phenomenal Twister

The Mazr

The Split

One heel half eagle two step

Double cross step one toe and heel pickup

One foot hurdles

One Mile Pursuit Race with audience member

Human Frog Skating

William H Tozer seen here in the Human Frog trick skate position. Unfortunately the image is covered and altered with the addition of the circled text and girl top and bottom. At this time the girls name and relationship is unknown. The image was taken between 1908 to 1912. Tozer married twice in his life, with a child from each.

Underneath the cover of the paper Tozer can be seen with skates on hands and feet, with legs over shoulders. As a young child I saw this image but it has since become missing.

The image is oval shaped on a rectangular card. At the top, left hand corner it reads his name, address and phone number.

Boy Wonder Press

The Boy Wonder seemed to get a lot of good Press. He is quoted as being a Marvel at such a young age. It appears that he was performing since age 16.

The clippings state that he was in his third season as a star performer.

I would guess that he was a seasoned and well skilled self promoter.

Tozer was well known for over twenty different types of tricks including the Human Frog that featured skating on his hands, with his legs over his shoulders.

Where it Starts

William H. Tozer - Born May 24, 1892

Millville New Jersey

Father- John E. Tozer - Birthplace NJ

Mother- Ceola Tozer - Birthplace NJ

Brother- Walter Tozer Born ********

Millville New Jersey

Last known residence in Millville NJ

223 South Third Street

William is seated to the right in the basket (EARL) pictured above.

William was known as the "Boy Wonder" Fancy and Trick Roller Skater. At age 18 he had a manager, Mr, Alan B. Little, who promoted him as having performed at "all" of the seaside amusement parks and being one of the best exhibition skaters he had ever seen in his travels.

The Boy Wonder performed at places such as the Alhambra in Millville, the Cadillac Theater, Alcyon Park, the Coliseum, Glassboro, and Cape May.