With Frank Wild in Buffalo, he was associated three years, also in many other variety houses did he play long stock engagements.
Ben Hayes was born in New York City, October 26, 1841.
Joseph M. Norcross, for many years known as Joseph Norrie, is one of the oldest and most prominent interlocutors in minstrelsy.
He first appeared professionally with the late Fred Sharpley and his own minstrel company in 1857.
In 1862 he joined Carncross and Dixey’s Minstrels in Philadelphia, and in 1870 joined Simmons and Slocum in the same city, and remained two years with that company, including a trip to California.
Subsequently Mr. Norcross joined Birch, Wambold and Backus’ Minstrels in New York, continuing there two years, after which he joined Bryant’s Minstrels, also in the Metropolis, and remained until the death of Dan Bryant.
Mr. Norcross was two years with Emerson’s Minstrels in San Francisco, and a like period with Buckley’s Serenaders. He was with Haverly seven years, including a trip to England, in 1884.
Mr. Norcross was with “Our Goblins” for four seasons, appearing in white-face. For the past few years he has intermittently appeared in vaudeville with a unique tabloid minstrel show of his own design.
Mr. Norcross married Miss Mamie Wambold at Newark, N. J., March 17, 1878.
Jos. M. Norcross was born in New York City July 5, 1841.