Subsequently he played in the stock of the old Chatham Theatre, New York, and later played in the orchestra of Wallack’s Theatre, same city, at Thirteenth and Broadway.
In 1867 he went to Europe, under the management of Corbin and Wall; while there he again joined Sam Hague’s Georgia Minstrels, playing London and the provinces. On his return to the United States he played all the principal variety houses, later organized the Dobson Bros. Minstrels. Mr. Dobson was also associated in a business capacity with the Worrell Sisters, the Chapman Sisters, and the Wallace Sisters: with the latter he was with in 1878. March 29, 1879, he married Minnie Wallace. They had a son, Frank Wallace, a clever black-face performer.
About twenty-five years ago Mr. Dobson won a gold medal in a banjo tournament at Madison Square Garden, New York City.
Chas. E. Dobson was born in New York City, July 21, 1839; he died there January 18, 1910.
Lew Benedict. The name of Lew Benedict is one of the most prominent in minstrelsy; as an end man and stump speaker he excelled, but he was equally at home in anything he undertook.
Mr. Benedict’s first appearance was in the late 50’s, when he danced the “Essence”; he was then known as Johnny Hodson.
But his real professional career commenced April 6, 1861, when he joined Duprez and Green’s Minstrels; he continued with them until 1865, when he bought out Mr. Green’s interest; the organization was then known as Duprez and Benedict’s Minstrels until 1876, when Mr. Benedict and Mr. Duprez dissolved partnership.
Mr. Benedict then joined Kelly and Leon’s Minstrels in New York City in the Spring of 1876; he remained until September 16; five days later he opened at Newark, N. J., with Benedict’s Minstrels; the company closed at Washington, D. C., December 30, 1876; he subsequently returned to Kelly and Leon’s.
In 1878 he ran a variety theatre in Milwaukee, Wis.
Mr. Benedict was with Leavitt’s Gigantean Minstrels in 1881, and in later years with Cleveland’s, Vogel’s, Gorman Bros., and Great Barlow Minstrels.