Born Henri Bouton in Chicago of French-Canadian ancestry, he performed with his look-alike brother Pete as a junior magician. He changed his name to 'Harry' as a tribute to Harry Kellar, a prominent illusionist of the period. His first vaudeville act was called "Harry Bouton & Company", followed by "Straight and Crooked Magic", at which time his brother dropped out to concentrate on backstage work. Harry subsequently went on the road as 'Fredrik the Great' until World War I made German names too unpopular. In 1917, he settled on "Blackstone the Master Magician", travelling with an entourage of ten assistants.