Joseph H. Mack was well known as a prominent minstrel agent and manager of such organizations as Kelly and Leon’s, Emerson’s California Minstrels and Hart, Ryman and Barney’s Minstrels, also manager of the Cleveland Baseball Club in 1880.
Joseph H. Mack was born in Buffalo, N. Y., May 10, 1849; he died at Hewitt, N. J., November 14, 1892.
Harry Fisher, famous in the old Harrigan and Hart days for his unique German characterizations, played Uncle Tom in the latter’s “cabin,” in New York at the Olympic Theatre, in April, 1878.
Harry Fisher was born in New York City, July 21, 1849, and doesn’t care who knows it.
Charles Dockstader was one of the most prolific producers in minstrelsy. He was something besides being a good song and dance performer, and was the author of many sketches, acts and songs.
His first appearance on the stage was in his native city as the child in “Pizarro,” with Edwin Forrest; his debut as a minstrel was also made in Cleveland some years later.
In September, 1878, he formed a partnership with Lew Clapp, opening in Jersey City, where they remained several weeks at a variety theatre as the Dockstader Bros. December 30, same year, they played their first minstrel engagement with Jerry Thomas’ Company in New York.
They began the season of 1880 with Carncross’ Minstrels in Philadelphia, and remained there, until December, 1881, when they opened with George Thatcher’s Minstrels in Philadelphia for a brief engagement. Subsequently they were with Haverly, and a return to Carncross, where early in March, 1883, owing to Mr. Dockstader’s illness he was compelled to separate from Lew Dockstader.
Later he did an act with William Lee as the “Dockstader’s;” also a sketch with Billy and Ella Watson in 1889. Of late years previous to his retirement he had been with dramatic companies.
Charles Dockstader was born in Cleveland, Ohio, September 28, 1849; he died in Pleasantville, N. J., October 20, 1907.