FRANK BROWER,
the junior member of the first minstrel company, made his first appearance at Dick Myers’ Museum in Philadelphia, doing a song and dance, about 1838; subsequently he joined John Robinson’s Circus, and later Raymond & Waring’s Circus.
After the separation of the original minstrel company in London in 1844, Mr. Brower traveled with Cook’s Circus in England; and in the Spring of 1844, with Pelham, Sweeney and Emmett, they gave their old performance, opening in Dublin, Ireland, April 22, 1844, and playing engagements in Cork, Belfast, Glasgow and Edinburgh, after which he returned to America and played with some of the principal minstrel and circus organizations.
In 1851 he revisited England, appearing as clown with Welch’s Circus. February 28, 1856, he opened at Sanford’s Minstrels in Philadelphia.
His last engagement in minstrelsy was with Tunnison’s Minstrels in Philadelphia, November 2, 1867; and his last appearance on the stage was in the same city, November 22, 1867, at the Walnut Street Theatre, in “The Lottery of Love.”
Mr. Brower’s “Happy Uncle Tom” was as perfect a piece of acting, it has been said, that has ever been seen on any stage. He was original to a degree, and never stooped to vulgarity in any form.
Frank Brower was born in Baltimore, Md., November 20, 1823; he died in Philadelphia, June 4, 1874.