They were among the earliest of the three brother acts in minstrelsy, and their services were eagerly sought after by managers in general.
They were identified with such prominent organizations as Haverly’s; Sam Hague’s, Billy Arnold’s, California’s (Norcross’), and Sweatnam’s Minstrels.
John Crimmins died while with Haverly; and Steve and Mike did a double act until about two years prior the death of the latter; Mike then worked with Emma La Mause, whom he married in 1882; subsequently associating himself with Tom Dunn.
John Crimmins died in Chicago, February 7, 1884; age 26 years.
Steve Crimmins died in Chicago, March 3, 1889.
Mike Crimmins was born in Detroit, Mich. March 5, 1864; he died in Peoria, Ill., July 8, 1890.
Geo. M. DeVere made his first first appearance at Booth’s Theatre, New York, in 1872, in King Henry V, as a page—now for a new paragraph.
The following year he made his first black-face appearance in the concert of Cook and Nelson’s Circus.
From 1874 to 1878 he did a nigger act with Matt McElroy; 1878-79 he was associated with Joe. Flynn, of subsequent McGinty fame; also in black-face.
When Tommy Devere died, George DeVere took his place with William Devere, and continued as the Devere Brothers, until the death of the latter in 1882.