The distinction of bringing before the public that famous song and dance team, Welch and Rice, in the 60’s, belongs to Mr. Budd, and while it has been said that he was the first to do a monologue in minstrelsy, the writer has no means of substantiating the assertion.
Jake Budd was born in Philadelphia; he died in Washington, D. C., October 11, 1888; age 53 years.
J. K. Campbell (John Kelly), celebrated as a banjoist and comedian, made his first appearance at Wright’s Music Hall in New York City, in 1846, as a youth, and playing under his own name. About 1851, George Lea, the well-known variety manager, suggested that Kelly take the name of Cameron, the same as the prominent theatrical printer; a typographical error made it appear Campbell; and as Campbell it always remained, except for a brief period in 1859 and 1860, when he was with George Christy’s Minstrels at Niblo’s Saloon in New York; here he sat on the opposite end to Christy, and was on the programme as J. K. Edwards.
In 1870, he was a prominent member of Hooley’s Minstrels, in Brooklyn, N. Y., and when Hooley opened in Chicago on January 2, 1871, Mr. Campbell went with him; with this company he did a song and dance with John Hogan, of Hogan and Hughes; the latter being unable to play on account of illness.
He was many years associated with the late “Fatty” Stewart, and identified with such prominent organizations as Moore and Burgess, in London, England, and Buckley’s, in Boston, where he opened in August, 1864.
Mr. Campbell was one of the great cards of minstrelsy; as a banjoist he ranked with the best; his “Essence of Old Virginny” was A1; he was versatile to a degree, and wrote several sketches, amongst them “The Rival Lovers” and “The Lawyer’s Clerk.”
Miss Fanchon Campbell, the talented young actress of the present, and who was a clever child actress at the time of Mr. Campbell’s death, is a daughter of his.
J. K. Campbell was born in New York City, 1835; he died in Pittsburg, Pa., February 6, 1878.
Joe. Buckley (Timothy Clancy), was a good general black-face performer. In 1857, he was with G. N. Eldridge’s Great Southern Circus, and for many years was associated with that style of entertainment.
In his earlier days he was associated with Joe Chatfield and Harry Wells. Mr. Buckley, likewise, was in the stock at Tony Pastor’s at 585 Broadway, New York City, also with Harrigan and Hart’s Company. At the time of his death he was not engaged in his profession.