Monarchs of minstrelsy, from "Daddy" Rice to dateRice, Edw. Le Roy (Edward Le Roy)
History
Monarchs of minstrelsy, from "Daddy" Rice to date
Rice, Edw. Le Roy (Edward Le Roy)
Actors -- United States; Minstrel shows
Joseph H. Mack was born in Buffalo, N. Y., May 10, 1849; he died at
Hewitt, N. J., November 14, 1892.
HARRY FISHER, famous in the old Harrigan and Hart days for his unique
German characterizations, played Uncle Tom in the latter’s “cabin,” in
New York at the Olympic Theatre, in April, 1878.
Harry Fisher was born in New York City, July 21, 1849, and doesn’t care
who knows it.
CHARLES DOCKSTADER was one of the most prolific producers in
minstrelsy. He was something besides being a good song and dance
performer, and was the author of many sketches, acts and songs.
His first appearance on the stage was in his native city as the child
in “Pizarro,” with Edwin Forrest; his debut as a minstrel was also made
in Cleveland some years later.
In September, 1878, he formed a partnership with Lew Clapp, opening in
Jersey City, where they remained several weeks at a variety theatre as
the Dockstader Bros. December 30, same year, they played their first
minstrel engagement with Jerry Thomas’ Company in New York.
They began the season of 1880 with Carncross’ Minstrels in
Philadelphia, and remained there, until December, 1881, when they
opened with George Thatcher’s Minstrels in Philadelphia for a brief
engagement. Subsequently they were with Haverly, and a return to
Carncross, where early in March, 1883, owing to Mr. Dockstader’s
illness he was compelled to separate from Lew Dockstader.
Later he did an act with William Lee as the “Dockstader’s;” also a
sketch with Billy and Ella Watson in 1889. Of late years previous to
his retirement he had been with dramatic companies.
Charles Dockstader was born in Cleveland, Ohio, September 28, 1849; he
died in Pleasantville, N. J., October 20, 1907.
FRANK “POP” WARD, known everywhere as the “Terrible Judge” of
vaudeville, began his professional career with Lent’s Circus in Newark,
N. J., in 1871 as a trapeze performer.
In 1873 he became a member of the Orpheus Quartette, and remained
with them until he organized the original Clipper Quartette in 1879,
opening at Tony Pastor’s in New York City. Mr. Ward continued with
the quartette through the various changes until its dissolution,
about 1893, playing with Snellbaker’s “Majestics”; Hyde and Behman’s
Company; McIntyre and Heath’s Minstrels; Thatcher, Primrose and West’s
Minstrels; Nat Goodwin and many high-class farcical organizations.
Mr. Ward formed a partnership with John P. Curran in 1893, since which
he has been most successfully appearing in vaudeville.
“Pop” Ward is considered a wonder in the profession he so ably
represents, possessing all the energy and vim of a performer of half
his years.
Francis T. Ward was born in New York City, January 4, 1849.
FRANK TURNER (Trainor) was one of the Three Turner Brothers who
appeared successfully in the variety theatres for several seasons.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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