Milt. G. Barlow was one of the greatest “old darky” delineators that minstrelsy has known, and probably did more to popularize “Old Black Joe” than any other performer.
Mr. Barlow originally aspired to be a Dutch comedian. His first minstrel engagement was with the Jackson Emersonians in 1870; the tour lasted about four weeks; subsequently he returned to the variety business, doing black-face, Dutch and Irish.
Shortly after this he played an engagement with Harry Robinson’s Minstrels, also Benjamin’s New Orleans Minstrels.
Mr. Barlow became a member of Haverly’s Minstrels about 1874, and continued with them until March 24, 1877; two days later joining Sweatnam and Fraser’s Minstrels in Philadelphia.
On August 20, 1877, the first performance of Barlow, Wilson, Primrose and West’s Minstrels was given; the last was at Poughkeepsie, N. Y., June 10, 1882. In the latter year Barlow, Wilson & Co.’s Minstrels were organized, and later Barlow, Wilson and Rankin’s Minstrels.
Afterwards Mr. Barlow was with Thatcher, Primrose and West’s, and Primrose and West’s Minstrels.
In August, 1894, Barlow, Dolson and Powers’ Minstrels took the road. For several years after this he was with “The White Slave” Co., and “Uncle Tom’s Cabin,” playing the title role.
Milt. G. Barlow was born in Lexington, Ky., June 29, 1843; he died in New York City, September 27, 1904.
Wm. A. Huntley (Penno) made his first appearance on the stage in his native city at the age of six years, playing little Tom Bruce, in “Nick of the Woods.” His first minstrel engagement was with Mead’s Euterpean Minstrels, in 1862, at New London, Conn. In 1865 he joined the Campbell and Huntley Minstrels, remaining some years.
Minstrelsy lost him from 1868 to 1870. In September, 1871, he made his first appearance in white-face at the Howard in Boston; subsequent engagements were with the Lauri English Pantomime Troupe and the Martinetti French Ravel Pantomime Co. In the Spring of 1873 he joined the McKee and Rogers Co., afterwards rejoining the Martinetti Troupe.