Che Mah
{{Short description|Chinese dwarf}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Che Mah
| image = Che Mah the Chinese Dwarf (cropped).jpg
| native_name = 车马
| other_names = Che-Mah
| birth_date = {{Birth date|1838|04|15}}
| birth_place = Zhoushan, China (reported)
| death_date = {{Death date and age|1926|03|21|1838|04|15}}
| death_place = Knox, Indiana, US
| resting_place = Crown Hill Cemetery, Knox, Indiana
| nationality = Chinese
| known_for = Circus performer
| height_in = 28
}}
Che Mah (15 April 1838{{snd}}21 March 1926) was a Chinese dwarf. He was considered to be the world's smallest man during his life, at {{Convert|28|inches|cm|abbr=unit}}.{{Cite web |last=Pemberton |first=Michelle |date=2018-08-03 |title=The strange story of Che-Mah, the smallest man in the world and Knox Ind. |url=https://www.indystar.com/picture-gallery/life/2018/08/03/strange-story-che-mah-chinese-dwarfs-retirement-knox-ind/875308002/ |access-date=2022-12-17 |website=IndyStar |language=en}}
Biography
Che Mah was reported to have been born on {{Birth date|1838|04|15}}, in Ningbo on the island of Zhoushan (transcribed in contemporary sources as "Chusan" or "Choo Sang"). In 1881, he was brought to the United States, where he would travel with the Barnum and Bailey Circus.{{Cite web |title=Sina Visitor System |url=https://passport.weibo.com/visitor/visitor?entry=miniblog&a=enter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fweibo.com%2Fttarticle%2Fp%2Fshow%3Fid%3D2309404385565209405865&domain=.weibo.com&ua=php-sso_sdk_client-0.6.36&_rand=1671316860.4062 |access-date=2022-12-17 |website=passport.weibo.com}} When he traveled with shows, he was considered the most polite & most intelligent dwarf on exhibition.{{Cite web |title=Che Mah - Smallest Man in the World |url=https://www.starkehistory.org/exhibits/che-mah-smallest-man-in-the-world |access-date=2022-12-17 |website=Starke County History Center |language=en}}
Later life
In 1909, he married Norah Cleveland.{{Cite news |date=April 18, 1926 |title=CHE-MAH — Two feet high! |work=St. Louis Dispatch}} When Che Mah retired, he moved to Knox, Indiana, United States, where he would remain till his death {{Death date|1926|03|21}}, aged 89. He is remembered as one of the most respected citizens of Knox, Indiana.
References
{{Reflist}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:Chinese people with disabilities
Category:Qing dynasty emigrants to the United States
Category:Entertainers with dwarfism
Category:Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus people
Category:American circus performers
Category:19th-century circus performers
Category:20th-century circus performers
Category:American people with disabilities
Category:People from Knox, Indiana
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