He died in New Bedford, Mass., October 8, 1858.
Joseph H. Rainer was one of the earliest vocalists and interlocutors. He was with Wood’s Minstrels in New York in 1852, and with Horn and Newcomb’s Company in 1863. He first appeared professionally in the late 40’s. He had been a resident of Lockport, N. Y., for many years.
Mr. Rainer was born in Lancaster, England, May 11, 1825; he died in Philadelphia, Pa., March 11, 1906.
George Winship was one of the pioneers of minstrelsy. As early as 1849 he occupied the bone end with the New York Serenaders, a famous minstrel company of that day.
He was long associated with J. W. McAndrews, the famous “Watermelon Man.”
About 1873 he was stage manager and performer at the Opera House, Rondout, N. Y., he had not appeared professionally much since then.
Mr. Winship had long been a resident of Fruitvale, Cal., where he died October 19, 1900.
Harry Hapgood was, up to the time of his death, the oldest living minstrel agent.
In his youth he was known as “Handsome Harry.”
His professional career began as an actor in Philadelphia in 1843. He subsequently became a manager and agent for various companies, and in the latter capacity was with Rumsey and Newcomb’s Minstrels about four years. He then was associated with Mr. Rumsey in the Rumsey Minstrels in 1863.