Mr. Jansen separated from Mr. Bruno about 1879, and afterwards worked alone, and did a stump speech; he then took his own name, so as not to conflict with Carroll Johnson, who was at that time also known as James Johnson.
About 1882 he formed a partnership with Sam Swain, doing a black-face act, and a few months later he made his appearance at Carncross’ Minstrels in Philadelphia; he remained seven years, after which he joined Primrose and West’s Company, and continued with them for a considerable period.
Mr. Jansen was a fine end man, and very clever in his imitations of a monkey.
J. Melville Jansen was born in Quebec, Can., he died at Downingtown, Pa., November 23, 1896; age about 50 years.
The season of 1882-83 there were thirty-two minstrel companies on the road.
Ben Brown was one of the great jig dancers of his day, when dancers were plentiful and efficient.
Very early he saw his name on the billboards, he said; and in 1865 he won a diamond studded cross containing eleven stones; the contest was at Bryan’s Hall, Chicago; among the competitors were “English” Tommy Peel, Johnny Boyd and Alex Ross; all passed away.
But I’m ’way ahead of my story. His first regular appearance was with Billy Wray at Beller’s Music Hall, Detroit, Mich., playing “Young Scamp.” He was with the Mrs. Matt. Peel’s Minstrels in 1861. Leaving them he joined Booker and Evart’s Minstrels at Jackson, Mich., taking the place of the famed Dick Sliter, who had just died; this was May 21, 1861.