In 1873 he joined Buckley’s Serenaders in Boston, and took Joe Parks as a partner; the next three years, Fagan and Parks, known as the American Lads, played variety engagements.

In 1876 he did the famous Heifer dance with Richard Golden in “Evangeline.” Mr. Fagan next joined John Fenton in a dancing specialty, and continued with him until 1878, when he formed a partnership with Lizzie Mulvey, which lasted one season.

Mr. Fagan in 1879 allied himself with Barlow, Wilson, Primrose and West’s Minstrels, and continued with them until the company’s dissolution in June, 1882; with this organization he was general producer and soloist.

Probably Mr. Fagan’s greatest achievement was in organizing and producing Sweatnam, Billy Rice and Fagan’s Minstrels, which gave their first performance at Albany, N. Y., July 25, 1887; this was the largest minstrel company that had ever traveled; 105 persons on parade; 88 in the regular company; incidentally that show was just twenty-three years ahead of its time; in other words, Sweatnam, Rice and Fagan’s minstrels are about due again.

Subsequently Mr. Fagan was with Thatcher, Primrose and West; Barlow, Wilson and Rankin’s; and Cleveland’s Minstrels; with the latter organization sitting on the opposite end to Luke Schoolcraft.

Outside of minstrelsy Mr. Fagan has appeared successfully in white-face in such plays as “Paradise Alley,” and his own company, “A High Roller,” the latter in 1890.

Some notable marches were the “West Point Cadets”; the “Phantom Guards” and “The Dance of the Popinjays”; the latter being one of the cleverest conceits ever seen in minstrelsy.

Mr. Fagan was general producer for Corinne for several seasons, also with other notable companies.

As a song writer he is no less prominent; “Everybody Takes Their Hat Off to Me,” and “A High Born Lady,” each enjoyed great popularity.

SIG. RAFAELLE ABECCOCHAS. HENRYCHAS. MELVILLE
CHAS. TEMPLETONJ. B. MURPHY“JACK” HERMAN
GEO. GRAYTOM PRENDERGASTOTIS CARTER
CHAS. LOCKWOODTOM LESLIEJOHN F. OBERIST
SINGERS OF THE 60’s.