Really depends on how realistic you want the setting to be, the tone, message of your story, and how relevant animals are to the overall story.
if it's in the 1800's and it's "realistic" or believable setting, go for it. and if animals in circuses is a major theme in your story, maybe portray that to the readers? if it's a lighthearted supernatural story, then you can omit all of the negative connotations and focus on the fun stuff (again, depends on the messaging and tone.) although it wouldn't hurt to put a disclaimer at the start of your story that you don't support these practices etc.
You can look up Oumagadoki Zoo as one of the arcs revolves around circus animals, but done in fun "shounen" way since animals are a central focus of the story.