Mr. Surridge returned to New York in February, 1884, and at once joined the Leon and Cushman combination.
In the Fall of 1884 he assumed the management of Dick Gorman, in “The Hand of a Friend.” He piloted the same attraction season of 1885-86, after which he retired from theatricals and went into business in New York.
J. H. Surridge was born in London, England, January 27, 1838; he died in New York City, March 30, 1910.
Rollin Howard (Ebenezer G. B. Holder) was one of the most cultured and capable female impersonators of minstrelsy.
He appeared on the legitimate stage for about five years previous to his minstrel debut, which was made with Wood’s Minstrels in the Spring of 1860. In the Fall of that year, for a brief period, he was associated in the management of Howard and Campbell’s Minstrels.
February 4, 1861, he made his first appearance with Hooley and Campbell’s Minstrels in New York, and for several seasons played successful engagements with nearly every prominent minstrel company there was.
About 1870 he left minstrelsy, and after a period in opera, played several years in variety houses. In 1868 he played Topsy in “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” and in 1878 was manager of the Melodeon in Philadelphia.
His last appearance was with his own company.
Rollin Howard was born in New York City about 1840; he died in Boston, Mass., June 19, 1879.
Master Barney (Bernard Scholar) was one of the greatest dancers in minstrelsy. His first appearance was at Burtis’ Varieties in Brooklyn, N. Y., about 1858; he met Add. Weaver here, and was associated with him several years.