Marbelle was born in Leon in France (or Spain)[1] in 1817 or 1818 and emigrated to the United States as a young child.
[2] Early in life, Marbelle worked on a whaling ship and eventually joined the United States Navy.
After the War, Marbelle travelled as an actor and musician and was the first clown in the James Anthony Bailey circus, before it became part of the P.T.
Marbelle also ran his own circus for a period, and assisted Buffalo Bill Cody in setting up his Wild West Show.
Marbelle also sang in a Methodist choir in Elgin, Illinois where he had a brass band and called figures at square dances.