He returned to San Francisco in 1861, and after playing several engagements there, on September 15, 1864, was one of the organizers of Birch, Wambold and Backus’ Minstrels; his career from that time until his death was linked with that of Billy Birch.
Mr. Backus was married to Leo Hudson, the famous equestrienne; he was divorced in March, 1866; subsequently he married Miss Kate Newton, the well-known actress.
On October 17, 1876, in Philadelphia, he married Miss Tizzie Mason.
Charles Backus was born in Rochester, N. Y., in 1831; he died in New York City, June 21, 1883.
Dave Wambold, universally conceded as minstrelsy’s greatest balladist, made his first appearance with a small minstrel company in 1849; his New York debut was made with Donaldson’s Minstrels four years later; he subsequently appeared with Charley White’s Minstrels in the same city for two years.
In August, 1857, he opened with Raynor and Pierce’s Minstrels in London, England, and remained in Europe with various organizations for several years.
In addition to being a remarkable singer, it is not generally known, but nevertheless a fact, that Mr. Wambold was the first performer to do a Dutch part in black-face; his dialect was one of the best.
September 15, 1864, he organized with Birch and Backus the San Francisco Minstrels, opening in New York in May, 1865; he continued with the organization until May 1, 1880, when owing to ill health, he retired from minstrelsy, at Holyoke, Mass.
Mr. Wambold married Miss Isabella Young in Philadelphia, April 25, 1859.
Dave Wambold was born in Elizabethtown, N. J., April, 1836; he died in New York City, November 10, 1889.