“Fatty” Stewart (J. S. Crossy), famed for many years as one of the original “Two Johns,” made his first professional appearance in New York in 1848 as a comic singer.
About two years later he was a member of the Sable Harmonists. In 1854 he launched Stewart’s Minstrels; and in 1873 he played an engagement with Sam Hague’s Minstrels in Liverpool, England. Mr. Stewart was the author of many black face sketches, all of which have had considerable vogue. He also built or managed several theatres, notably in St. Louis, Providence and Philadelphia. Mr. Stewart died in St. Louis, Mo., May 23, 1905; age 71 years.
John Paul Crocker was one of the proprietors of Moore, Crocker, Ritter and Hamilton’s Minstrels, who gave their first performance at Chester, England, November 14, 1864.
Mr. Crocker was a good comedian and well liked personally; he continued as a partner of the organization up to the time of his death.
John Paul Crocker was born in the United States; he died in London, England, December 17, 1869; age 35 years.
Aynsley Cooke, who was well and favorably known in operatic circles, was a prominent singer with Bryant’s Minstrels in New York City in 1861.
He was born in London, England; he died in Liverpool, England, February 16, 1894; age 60 years.
Frank Wells (Bernard Mundy) was a well-known and capable female impersonator.
He was for a long time with Morris and Wilson’s Minstrels in St. Louis, also with Charley Morris and Add Weaver’s Company, in 1863; later he was with LaRue’s Minstrels.
He died in Brooklyn, N. Y., April 25, 1874; age 39 years.