Billy Pearl (Jacob Allgier) was known from one end of the country to the other as one of the team of Marion and Pearl.
Mr. Pearl’s first partner was Burt Marion, now of the team of Marion and Dean; subsequently he formed an alliance with Herman Marion, now of Cunningham and Marion. Mr. Pearl had been associated with Vogel’s; Cleveland-Wilson’s; Haverly’s (Nankeville’s); Primrose and Dockstader’s, and other first-class minstrel organizations, including Marion and Pearl’s Minstrels.
Billy Pearl was born in New York, November 27, 1863; he died at Paterson, N. J., June 24, 1908.
Billy Van (Van Name), famed far and wide as one of the most unique monologuists, began his professional career at Jeff. Staley’s in Jeffersonville, Ind., doing a black-face song and dance, about thirty years ago.
Subsequently he doubled with Billy Bitt, a midget, and did a break-neck song and dance, and later was of the team of Van, DeVaney, Haley and Flynn. Following this he did a musical act with May Wilson for five years.
Mr. Van’s next partner was Bob Turner, also in a musical act. Separating from Mr. Turner, he joined Haverly’s Minstrels.
Subsequent minstrel engagements were with Al. G. Field’s; Gorman Bros.; Primrose and West’s; Haverly’s (Nankeville), and Wm. H. West’s (Ricaby).
He also played feature engagements with Hopkins’ “Transatlantiques,” Fulgora’s, and Sandow’s Vaudeville Company, of which he was manager.
About 1895 he toured with Billy Van’s Minstrels.
Billy Van was born in Cincinnati, Ohio, November 25, 1862.