Larry Freeze was a dancer of more than ordinary merit. After his death, his place was taken by his brother Frank, whose funny antics as a clown have won him considerable recognition.
Larry Freeze was born in Rockville, Conn., October 29, 1872; he died April 6, 1909.
Billy Freeze was born in Rockville, Conn., December 25, 1870.
Julius P. Witmark. It will doubtless be news to many of this gentleman’s friends to know that his career began as minstrel singer just twenty-seven years ago, when as the “boy soprano” he made his bow before a New York audience with Billy Birch’s San Francisco Minstrels, August 27, 1883; this was in what was until recently known as the Princess Theatre.
A brief respite after this engagement, and he next appeared as a “Madrigal Boy” in Gus Williams’ “One of the Finest;” he was also a “Madrigal” with Lawrence Barrett’s “Francesca di Rimini” and M. B. Leavitt’s Minstrels.
Going to the Eden Musee in New York City after this, for a series of six children’s concerts, on Saturdays only; his success was so great, that the engagement was extended for eight months.
He joined Thatcher, Primrose and West in the Spring of 1885, and the following season of 1885-86, he was also with this company.
Mr. Witmark then eschewed theatricals for about two years, when his voice, then changed into a baritone, procured him a position with Billy Emerson’s Minstrels in San Francisco, where he remained six months, after which he rejoined Thatcher, Primrose and West early in 1889; this was his last minstrel engagement.
Subsequently he met with much success in such famed organizations as “A Pair of Jacks,” “City Directory” and “A Trip to Chinatown”; he was also very successful in the brief vaudeville engagements he played.
Julius P. Witmark was born in New York City, September 19, 1870.