W. J. Ashcroft has resided in Europe for many years.
Matt. Wheeler (Mathias Wittenwiler) is still with us. His first professional appearance was at Sanford’s Opera House, Harrisburg, Pa., with Joe. Miller’s Minstrels in 1864. For several years following he played successful stock engagements at Baltimore, Philadelphia and other cities.
Season of 1871-72 Mr. Wheeler was with Bishop’s Serenaders; the following year he joined the Morris Bros. Minstrels for a road tour.
In 1873 he began a season’s engagement with Simmons and Slocum’s Minstrels at their theatre in Philadelphia; the following season was also spent in the Quaker City with Carncross’ Minstrels.
Mr. Wheeler was with Haverly’s Minstrels early in 1877, and in the Fall of that year returned to Carncross’ Co., and remained there until the retirement of the latter, January 25, 1896. Mr. Wheeler continued with Frank Dumont when the latter took the management of the house two days later, and has since played several engagements there.
While a member of stock in the Maryland Institute in 1869, Mr. Wheeler was very successful in the portrayal of such black-face character parts as Wool, in the “Hidden Hand”; Pete, in the “Octoroon,” and “Uncle Tom’s Cabin.”
Matt. Wheeler was born in St. Gaul, Switzerland, March 4, 1843.
Con. T. Murphy (John D. Murphy), who was widely known as an actor, author and song-writer, was also very much of a minstrel, and a good interlocutor.
He was with Bryant’s Company in New York at the opening of the season, September 1, 1873, and was identified with several other organizations.
He was born in Cork, Ireland, in 1844; he died at Lake Bluff, Ill., July 26, 1907.