In 1874 he became co-partner with Dr. Huntley in the management of Huntley’s Minstrels; then came engagements extending some years in the principal theatres of the country.
Mr. Huntley was especially engaged for Haverly’s Minstrels in London, to lead the big banjo act in which twelve performers appeared at one time; he opened at Her Majesty’s Theatre, July 31, 1880, and remained three months. It was during this period that Mr. Huntley had the honor of appearing before the Royal Family; he subsequently played in the principal cities of England, also in Paris, and returned to the United States to fill out his contract with one of Mr. Haverly’s organizations here.
From 1881 to 1884 he was with Whitmore and Clark’s Minstrels, and later formed a partnership with John H. Lee, formerly of Adams and Lee; subsequently they opened a studio in Providence, where they met with much success, especially in the introduction of the banjeaurine and the bass banjo. Mr. Huntley has long since retired from minstrelsy, but the appellation of the “Classic Banjoist” he so justly earned years ago, is still his.
Wm. A. Huntley was born in Providence, R. I., November 2, 1843.
J. J. Kelly was one of the best known vocalists in minstrelsy. He entered the profession about 1853, and had been with such famous companies as Emerson’s, Haverly’s, Bryant’s, in New York; Barlow, Wilson, Primrose and West’s; and Morris Bros., Pell and Trowbridge’s in Boston. Mr. Kelly died in Boston, Mass., July 20, 1902.
Wm. J. Ashcroft was one of the most versatile performers that ever blacked their face. His first professional appearance was in Pawtucket, R. I., as a member of the Julian Minstrels.
In 1866 he was with Seaver’s Minstrels, in Brooklyn, N. Y. He was also with Lloyd’s Minstrels. About 1872 he went to England, and later when returning to the United States, he brought over and was the first to produce in this country, an eccentric black-face specialty called the “Funny Old Gal;” in this he was phenomenally successful.
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| TOMMY GRANGER | BILLY RICE | |
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| “JIM” BUDWORTH | ||
| “HAPPY” CAL. WAGNER | J. W. McANDREWS (The “Watermelon Man”) | |
| A QUAINT QUINTETTE. | ||
Prior to this he was a partner for several months of J. W. Morton.
Mr. Ashcroft again visited England in 1875, where he became one of the greatest favorites the old world ever knew, appearing chiefly in white-face character work.