Jack Carkeek
| Jack Carkeek | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 22, 1861 Rockland, Michigan, United States |
| Died | March 12, 1924 (aged 63) Havana, Cuba |
| Professional wrestling career | |
| Billed height | 5 ft 10 in (178 cm) |
| Billed weight | 180 lb (82 kg) |
| Debut | July 5, 1877 |
Jack Carkeek, (January 22, 1861 – March 12, 1924) was an American wrestler from Rockland, Michigan. He was a champion in Cornish wrestling and Lancashire catch-as-catch-can wrestling. He died March 12, 1924, in Havana, Cuba.
He was the son of Tom Carkeek and his mother was first cousin to the actor Sir Henry Irving. Tom was born in Plain-an-Gwarry, Redruth in Cornwall was said to weigh 17 stone, was a champion of Cornish wrestling in the 1860s and was the world Cornish wrestling champion in 1875. It was said that he won 528 consecutive Cornish wrestling matches without defeat and won 88 prizes.
Jack made his first appearance at Michigamme, Michigan, on July 5, 1877, at age 16. There, he won the fourth prize in a tournament of 64 entries. In 1887, Jack Carkeek and John Pearce (the Cornish champion from Cornwall for five years) met for the World Championship of Cornish wrestling in Redruth, Cornwall.