Mr. Lang had the management of the Adelphi Theatre in Buffalo for several seasons, and the Halsted Street Theatre in Chicago.
He was also associated professionally with “Hank” Mudge, the old time clog dancer.
Joe Lang was born in New York, September 21, about 1843.
Mike Foley was a well-known black-face comedian, and during the 70’s did an excellent black-face act with Buck Sheffer, as Foley and Sheffer. He was also of the team of Foley and Wade.
He had retired from active theatricals about nine years prior to his death, which occurred at Syracuse, N. Y., September 10, 1888, at the age of 45 years.
Thompson and Kerns were the first black-face double song and dance team.
Prior to their advent, performers invariably worked singly. Their first joint appearance was made in Washington, D. C., in 1861; a year previous Mr. Kerns had made his professional debut at Long’s Varieties, Philadelphia. Thompson and Kerns continued in partnership for several years, playing the variety theatres almost exclusively.
After separating, Mr. Thompson joined Newcomb’s Minstrels in Cincinnati, August, 1867.
About 1871 he produced “On Hand,” a sensational drama, in which Mr. Thompson portrayed twelve distinct characters; black, white and yellow; male and female; of various nationalities. At last accounts he was still playing “On Hand,” early in the current year.
Mr. Thompson is the father of Mollie Thompson, the favorite dancer of a decade ago; and the father-in-law of Eddie Garvie, who has played more than one black-face part.