James A. Herne, the late well-known actor and author, whose portrayal of the lighthouse keeper in his play of “Shore Acres” will long be pleasantly remembered, played Samson, a heavy, black-face character part in the “New South,” commencing at the Broadway Theatre, New York, January 2, 1893.
James A. Herne was born in Troy, N. Y., February 1, 1840; he died in New York City, June 2, 1901.
D. R. Hawkins was well known as a capable interlocutor, and co-proprietor with Billy Courtright with a permanent minstrel company in Philadelphia bearing their names; they opened about September, 1882. He was also with Emerson’s Minstrels.
He was born in Philadelphia, and died in San Francisco, September 5, 1888; age 47 years.
Hen. Mason (Martin), was a well-known black-face performer. His wife was Celia Iferd, an actress.
He was the author of several sketches, notably, “A Night at a Free and Easy.”
He died in New York, February 22, 1873; age 33 years.
Frank Pell, a well-known and favorite comedian of many years ago, who was with Mrs. Matt. Peel’s Minstrels, in 1860; Newcomb’s Minstrels, in 1867, and other well-known companies, died in St. Paul, Minn., August 26, 1871.
Tommy Peel (O’Reilly) was one of the world’s great jig dancers. He made his first professional appearance in his native city at the age of twelve years.
About 1855 he became a member of a minstrel company in which Matt Peel was interested. Mr. Peel adopted him, and young O’Reilly thereafter was known as Tommy Peel.