E. Freeman Dixey—his was a household word in Philadelphia, where practically his whole professional career, and the major portion of his life was spent.
His first engagement was in Boston, at the age of eighteen; subsequently he went to Philadelphia, and opened there at Cartee’s Lyceum, the present site of the 11th Street Opera House, with the Julien Serenaders, December 4, 1854.
On April 23, 1855, the house was opened as Sanford’s Opera House, by Sam Sanford, and Mr. Dixey was a member of the company, and continued with Sanford until the latter drew away from its management, April 14, 1862, when Mr. Dixey and Mr. Carncross opened it under the name of Carncross and Dixey’s Minstrels; Robert Simpson was the financial man. The firm of Carncross and Dixey continued until June 17, 1871; Mr. Carncross retiring on that date.
October 2, 1871, Mr. Dixey in conjunction with Frank Moran opened the house as Moran and Dixey’s Minstrels. The second season commenced August 26, 1872, and on September 24, Mr. Dixey retired from the firm. September 1, 1873, again saw Carncross and Dixey’s Minstrels installed; they continued until March 16, 1878; after a supplemental tour that terminated May 11, 1878, Mr. Dixey retired to private life.
Mr. Dixey was one of minstrelsy’s greatest bone players, and in his earlier days he excelled in the delineation of wench characters.
He was a student of the negro, as well as a student in private life; a gifted, intellectual, cultured gentleman was Edward Freeman Dixey.
E. Freeman Dixey was born in Marblehead, Mass., July 29, 1833; he died in Philadelphia, March 2, 1904.
Max Irwin was a well-known comedian, stump orator and general performer.
In 1858 and 1859 he was a member of Matt. Peel’s Minstrels.
In the latter year he also played variety engagements with “Young America” (E. Richardson). May 16, 1859, he married Gussie Lamoreux, the well-known dancer, in Philadelphia.