Tony Hart (Anthony Cannon) was born in Worcester, Mass., July 25, 1855; he died there November 4, 1891.
George Robert Guy, the senior member of the famous Guy Family, blacked his face for the first time in 1863, and has been successfully following his profession ever since; and is now fairly in sight of the half-century mark as a minstrel performer. This is a record that is probably unique in the annals of minstrelsy; more than forty-seven years continuously and exclusively as a black-face performer; and the end is not in sight, for those who know, declare George Guy is as alert and active as any performer of half his years.
Mr. Guy’s first appearance was in New York in 1863, dressed as a little clown; the following week at Newark, N. J., he blacked his face for the first time.
About two years later, with his brother Willie, they joined Hooley’s Minstrels in Brooklyn, N. Y., remaining several months, subsequently playing an engagement with Geo. Christy’s in New York.
October 1, 1866, they were at the opening performance of Kelly and Leon’s Minstrels in New York, where Mr. Guy and his brother soon after produced for the first time on any stage, Mr. Guy claims, a “boy and girl” duet, portraits of which may be seen [elsewhere]. Mr. Guy continued with Kelly and Leon for several years, and in the Summer of 1869 went to England with Smith and Taylor’s Minstrels, and later appeared with Moore and Burgess’ Company in London. About 1870 he joined Harry Robinson’s Minstrels, and some months later was with Welch, Hughes and White in Brooklyn, N. Y.
Next came the organization of the Guy Bros. Minstrels; subsequently the Guy Family in concerts, after which the Guy Bros. Minstrels were reorganized, and Mr. Guy has been continuously identified with that company for more than thirty-five years. For several seasons past he has been sole proprietor and manager. Truly George Guy is a monument to the profession he so befittingly represents.
George R. Guy was born in Hartford, Conn., October 7, 1855.
THE FROHMANS IN MINSTRELSY.
Gus Frohman was manager of Callender’s Colored Minstrels in 1874; early in 1882 he was one of the proprietors. He was born in Sandusky, Ohio, about 1855.
Daniel Frohman became advance agent for Callender’s Colored Minstrels in 1874; subsequently he was with Haverly in an executive ability. Mr. Frohman was born in Sandusky, Ohio, about 1850.