“Happy” Cal. Wagner was not born with that handle to his name, but just plain Calvin Wagner.
Mr. Wagner began comicalities at the age of 17, and at 70 is still “happy.” Of course he played other minstrel engagements before appearing with Charley Morris’ Company in 1864.
In 1865 he was with Sam Sharpley’s Ironclads, and the following year Wagner and (Sam) Hague’s Minstrels could readily be seen—if you had the price.
In 1867, January 21, to be exact, he joined Lloyd and Bidaux’ Minstrels; the following year found him with Fred Wilson’s Minstrels, and on March 6, 1869, he left Wilson in St. Louis; that is, he left Wilson’s company. It was getting time for “Happy” Cal Wagner’s Minstrels, and accordingly that organization soon sprang into being.
In the Fall of 1870 this company came under the able direction of “Jack” Haverly; the partnership was dissolved November 8, 1873. Mr. Wagner’s Minstrels went on touring.
In 1878 Wagner and (Ben) Cotton’s Minstrels happened; that same year they unhappened. A year or so later Mr. Wagner joined Barlow, Wilson, Primrose and West’s Minstrels, closing with them in February, 1881.
Mr. Wagner’s last appearance in minstrelsy was with Quinlan and Will’s Company, about five years ago.
Cal. Wagner was born in Mobile, Ala., July 4, 1840.
Horace Rushby, well-known as a character actor, made his first appearance in the United States with Case and Kernan’s Minstrels in 1869.
A year later he joined Blaisdell Bros. and Courtright’s Minstrels; in 1872 he was a member of Wm. Henry Rice’s organization in Cincinnati. Subsequently he appeared successfully with the minstrel companies of Harry Robinson; Haverly; I. W. Baird’s; Birch, Hamilton and Backus; Hooley and Emerson’s Megatherians; Carncross’, in Philadelphia, and several others.