When the Indiana legislature elected Albert J. Beveridge to the United States senate in 1898, he was but thirty-six years of age, and with one exception was the youngest member of the distinguished body in question. Mr. Beveridge was born October 6, 1862, in a log cabin of Highland county, Ohio, his father being a small farmer. When the war broke out the year preceding his birth, his father and his four half-brothers entered the army, while his mother volunteered as a nurse. Moving to Illinois, they settled near Sullivan, renting a small farm there. At the age of ten the future senator was a full-fledged farm hand. At fourteen he was a railroad laborer and at sixteen joined a logging camp. Whenever he could find no work he attended school. At the age of seventeen young Beveridge heard that the district cadetship for West Point was to be filled by competitive examination. He was one of the competitors, and, although practically self-educated, took second place on a list of twenty-five. In 1881 he managed to enter De Paw university, his capital consisting of $50. By wheat-cutting in the summer, serving as a steward in the college club, and winning money prizes offered to students, he managed to pay his way. Graduating from college with high honors, he went direct to Indianapolis, called on General Benjamin Harrison and asked permission to study law with him. Failing in this, he obtained employment with Messrs. McDonald, Butler & Mason, well-known lawyers at the Indiana capital, and soon became a third partner in the firm. In 1889 he opened an office of his own, and his first fee was from Governor Hovey. His initial political speech was in 1884, and, as someone has put it, he turned out to be “a revelation, a dream of oratory and a trip-hammer of argument.” His fame as a speaker being established, he was in demand in all directions. His subsequent career is well-known to the public at large. In 1887 he married Miss Catherine Maud Langsdale, daughter of George J. Langsdale, the editor of a well-known paper in Indiana.
Through the medium of a highly successful career, Champ Clark, who has a national reputation as stump speaker and forensic orator, furnishes yet another illustration of the possibilities that lie before the young American who determines to “get there.” Mr. Clark was born in Anderson county, Kentucky, March 7, 1850. First educated in the local schools, he later studied at the Kentucky university, Bethany college and the Cincinnati law school. In order to support himself while acquiring his education, he worked as a farm hand, a clerk in a country store, an editor of a country newspaper, and finally as a lawyer. Not long after he had begun to practice law for a livelihood he commenced to take an active interest in political affairs and was at length elected city attorney of Louisiana, Mo., and later for Bowling Green, Mo. He has served as prosecuting attorney of Pike county, and since 1893, has been a member of congress from the Ninth Missouri district. Mr. Clark’s eloquence, apart from his other notable qualities, makes him a prominent figure in congressional affairs.
W. B. Cockran, the well-known lawyer and politician, who is also oneof the most popular orators before the public, was born in Ireland, February 28, 1854. He was educated in that country, and later in France. When he landed in New York in 1871, he knew no one in America and had exactly one hundred dollars in his wallet. But he was well educated, of marked ability, and ambitious to the highest degree. Failing to secure something better, he became clerk in A. T. Stewart’s store. A month later, however, he obtained a position as teacher in a public school on Rutgers street, where he taught French, Latin and history. Still later he accepted an appointment as principal in a public school in Westchester. But at this period Mr. Cockran had mapped out his future. He had determined to become a lawyer, and when on Saturdays his time was his own, he studied law in the office of the late Chauncey Schaffer. Saving some money, he resigned as school principal, and for nearly a year did nothing but read. In 1890 he was admitted to the bar of New York. His rise thenceforward was rapid. Very soon he became known as a man of great ability as an advocate and of supreme eloquence as a speaker. It was not long before he had a lucrative practice, and took a foremost place among the best lawyers of the metropolis. In the meantime his repute as an orator had attracted the attention of democratic leaders, and hence it was that Mr. Cockran was in demand at national democratic conventions and “on the stump.” He was elected member of congress in 1891, serving in that capacity until 1895. In 1896, however, he refused to accept the 16 to 1 theory of the Democratic party and did his utmost to elect McKinley. Some will call Mr. Cockran a fortunate man, but as a matter of fact his fortune, professional and financial, is the outcome of his persistent industry and sincerity.
John Warwick Daniels was born at Lynchburg, Virginia, September 5, 1842. He was educated in the public schools of the town, at Lynchburg college, and also at Dr. Gessner Harrison’s university school. During the Civil war he was an adjutant-general in the Confederate army, serving on the staff of General Early. At the close of the conflict he took up the study of law at the University of Virginia and graduated in 1866. He has practiced ever since at Memphis, Va. He was elected to the state senate in 1875 and was a member of the Virginia House of Delegates from 1869 to 1872. In 1881 he was democratic candidate for governor of Virginia, but was defeated. As member of congress in 1885 to 1887, and since 1887 as United States senator he has been much in the eye of the public. He is one of the most eloquent of forensic orators in America, as well as being the author of several well-known legal works.
The riper years of Carl Schurz are so generally identified with the peaceful and progressive things that are the fruits of the rostrum of the orator and the sanctum of the editor that it seems hard to associate him with the stormy and romantic incidents that crowded his youth. Born in Liblar, Rhenish Prussia, on March 2, 1829, he was educated at the Cologne gymnasium, and at the age of seventeen entered the University of Bonn. When, in 1848, the revolutionary spirit became actively in evidence, he, together with Gottfried Kinkel, a professor of the university, started a liberal newspaper. As the consequence, the young menwere forced to flee from Bonn. Later, Schurz received a commission as adjutant in the revolutionary army, and upon the fall of Badstadt was compelled to fly to Switzerland. His friend Kinkel was captured and sentenced to twenty years’ imprisonment. Schurz, however, did not desert his friend, but returning to Germany, by the exercise of marvelous courage and ingenuity, liberated Kinkel, and went with him to Scotland. Subsequently, and in Paris, Mr. Schurz entered the journalistic profession. In 1855 he, accompanied by his young wife, whom he had married while under the ban of the German authorities, came to America and settled in Philadelphia. Afterward he went to Madison, Wisconsin, where he became identified with local political affairs. He soon became a prominent figure in state politics. In the interval he had been admitted to the bar and now opened an office in Milwaukee. In 1860 he was a member of the national republican convention, and when Lincoln became president he was made minister to Spain. During the Civil war he served with distinction under General Franz Sigel, who had been his old commander in Germany. In 1866 he was made Washington correspondent of the New York Tribune. Later he established the Detroit Post. He disposed of his interest in it, and in 1867 removed to St. Louis, where he became editor of the Westliche Post. In January, 1869, Mr. Schurz was made United States senator for Missouri. He has taken an active and even strenuous part in presidential campaigns for many years. In 1884, 1888 and 1892 he supported Mr. Cleveland. When he visited Europe, in 1888, he was cordially received by Prince Bismarck and other German leaders. He is an author, having published several books, including a life of Henry Clay and an essay on Abraham Lincoln. His screeds are often seen in periodical literature.
It is questionable if there is a better method of giving intellectual pleasure to a large number of people than by teaching them concerted singing. More than that, music is admittedly one of the most powerful factors in the bringing into being those finer qualities which are identified with the higher civilizations. It follows, then, that the man who devotes his life to cultivating a love of music among the masses is a public benefactor. Such an individual is Walter J. Damrosch, who is both well known and popular in this country in connection with his work on the lines alluded to. Mr. Damrosch was born at Breslau, Prussia, January 30, 1862. His father was Dr. Leopold Damrosch, his reputation as a conductor being of an international nature, led to his coming to this country in 1871 to become director of the Oratorio society and Symphony society of New York. In the meantime Walter had received a thorough musical training under his father, and, when the latter died, in 1885, he succeeded to the directorship of the organizations named. Since that period his continuous and conscientious work for the popularizing of vocal music has borne fruit not only in New York, but in many other cities of the United States. Mr. Damrosch was also the director of German opera at the MetropolitanOpera House and added to his reputation in connection therewith. Mr. Walter J. Damrosch is married to Margaret, daughter of the late James G. Blaine.
When individuality is allied to talent the world stands ready to recognize, applaud and recompense. But the welding process is not to be accomplished without faithful and constant effort. The results approximate genius so closely that the division between it and mere talent is more theoretical than absolute. All this applies to Henry L. R. De Koven, the composer, who is one of the younger, and, at the same time, one of the most successful of American musicians. Comic operas there are and comic operas there will be, but in most instances the end of their vogue marks also the end of their existence. In the case of Robin Hood, The Highwayman, and other of Mr. De Koven’s works, it is otherwise. Those named and others bid fair to remain popular beyond the limits of this generation. The composer was born at Littleton, Connecticut, April 5, 1861, his father being a clergyman. At first educated in public schools, he later went abroad, and was graduated from Oxford, England, in 1880. Like other successful composers, he gave indications of his love of music at an early age, and, during his college course, fostered his special gifts by constant study. After graduating, he studied still further under masters at Stuttgart, Florence, Paris and Vienna. On returning to this country he acted as musical critic on various publications coincidently with his work as a composer. Apart from his many operas he has written a number of songs. In 1884 he married Anna Farwell.
Maurice Grau, who for many years was prominently identified with the exploiting of grand opera in this country, was born in Brünn, Austria, in 1849, and came to New York with his parents at the age of fifteen. He graduated from the Free Academy, New York, in 1867, attended the Columbia law school and later was for two years an employee of a law firm. Mr. Grau, however, was gifted with foresight. He saw that the citizens of this country, on recovering from the stress and strain of the Civil war, would not only be possessed of money with which to gratify their artistic instincts, but that these same instincts would come into active being. In other words, in his own way, Mr. Grau had faith in the recuperative powers of the United States. In 1872, therefore, he became manager for Aimée, the opera bouffe prima donna, and was also the manager of Rubenstein, pianist; Clara Louise Kellogg company, Salvini and other foreign musical and dramatic stars. Finally he became a member of the firm of Abbey, Schoeffel & Grau. Sarah Bernhardt, Patti, Henry Irving, Coquelin, Jane Hading, Maunet-Sully and Mlle. Rejane were exploited by the firm. Until 1902 he was managing director of the Maurice Grau opera company and lessee of the Metropolitan opera house, New York, in which capacity he annually produced for some years standard grand operas, the casts of which included the most famous singers of the present generation. He furthermore has acted as managing director of the Royal opera house, Covent Garden. On 1903 Mr. Grau severed his connection with the Metropolitan opera house, much to the regret of those to whose musical taste he had so successfully catered.
The secret of success, as far as those who cater to public amusement is concerned, is the placing of one’s fingers upon the pulse of the public and shape one’s methods and manners in accordance with the knowledge so obtained. Victor Herbert, the composer, has so shaped his career, and, while his work is more or less identified with the lighter forms of comic opera, he nevertheless has exhibited unmistakable musical genius. Mr. Herbert was born in Dublin, Ireland, February 1, 1859, and is the grandson of Samuel Lever, the author of Handy Andy, and other Irish novels. He began to study music in Germany when but seven years of age, and took lessons from a number of masters. While yet a boy, he was appointed the principal ‘celloist of the court orchestra in Stuttgart. After more study and a prolonged tour in Europe, he came to this country as ‘cello soloist of the Metropolitan opera house orchestra in New York. During his career of almost uninterrupted professional successes, he has been connected with the Thomas, Seidl and other orchestras in the capacities of ‘celloist and director. He has also been bandmaster of the Twenty-second Regiment of the national guard of the state of New York, and, in 1898, was made conductor of the Pittsburg (Pennsylvania) orchestra. Among the many comic operas which he has written are The Wizard of the Nile, The Viceroy and The Idol’s Eye. He is also the author of a number of orchestral compositions. In 1886 he married Theresa Foerester, a prima donna.
Of the many American girls who have made riches and reputations as violinists, none is better known to the musical world of this country and abroad than Leonora Jackson. Still a girl as far as years go, she has acquired a reputation as a virtuoso that usually comes to one in the sere and yellow times of life. She was born in Boston, February 20, 1879. After an education received in Chicago public schools, during which time she studied her favorite instrument, she went abroad and became a pupil in the Royal school of music, Berlin. While still a child, she made her début in Europe and scored an instantaneous success. She has appeared in concerts with Paderewski, Patti and other famous singers and musicians and has added to her reputation by scores of performances before musical societies in America and on the continent. Audiences of the Boston symphony orchestra concerts know her well. During the season of 1900 and 1901 she gave one hundred and sixty concerts in the United States, securing for herself in this connection a national reputation. Queen Victoria decorated her as a recognition of her talents. Miss Jackson has also appeared before the German empress and many other notables of Europe.
Boston musical circles have a sincere affection for Franz Kneisel, not only on account of his musical gifts but in connection with the work that he has done for the Boston symphony orchestra. Apart from that, however, some of his admirers aver that as a violin soloist he has no equal in this country and but few rivals abroad. Be that as it may, it is certain that his gifts are of a remarkable nature, and, like all successful men, he has cultivated them, constantly and conscientiously. Franz Kneisel was born in Roumania, in 1865, of German parents. From a child he studied musicand violin instruction under Grun and Hellmsburger and early gave indications of the successes that awaited him in the future. For some years he was concert master of the Hoffburg theatre orchestra of Vienna, and later of Bilse’s orchestra in Berlin. While filling these positions he acquired the reputation which led to his being invited to America. On reaching this country he at once became concert master of the Boston organization and director of the Kneisel quartet. He maintains his reputation as a violoncellist, however, in spite of the demands made upon his time by his other duties.
The popularity of Maud Powell, the violinist, amongst musically inclined people is not altogether due to a recognition of her genius. Those who know her life story know, too, that the place which she now occupies in the eye of the public has been obtained at the expense of a tremendous amount of work, in the face of many obstacles. Besides that, she is a typical American girl, which means that she is the possessor of the pluck independence and perseverance which are supposed to be characteristic of the citizens of the United States. Miss Powell was born in Peru, Illinois, August 22, 1868. She studied in the common schools at Aurora, Illinois, and, after some preliminary instruction on the violin in this country, took an advanced course of study in Leipzig, Paris and Berlin. As a pupil of the famous Joachim she gave promises of a brilliant future. Miss Powell is best known to the American public through the medium of her solos given in connection with orchestral concerts of Thomas, Seidl, Gericke, Nikisch, Damrosch and others. In 1892 she toured Australia and Germany with the New York Arion society, and, in 1896, on the strength of the popularity which she had established in her preceding tour, made another and most successful visit to Europe. She has contributed liberally on musical topics to a number of periodicals. Yet, as far as the American public is concerned, the fame of Maud Powell is permanently identified with her violin, rather than with her pen.
Like many of the well-known musicians of to-day, Theodore Thomas not only inherited his talents from his father, but was a pupil of the latter. Mr. Thomas shares with Damrosch and some other conductors the credit of making music, not only familiar to, but popular with, the masses in this country. He was born at Esens, Hanover, Germany, October 11, 1835, and at the age of ten made his first appearance in public as a violinist. Shortly after that he came to the United States, and for a number of years gave performances in New York. After a successful tour in the south, which extended over two years, he returned to New York and appeared in concerts and opera, first as violinist and later as orchestra conductor. In connection with other musicians he organized an annual series of chamber concerts. In 1867 he founded the Thomas orchestra and maintained it until 1888. He also acted as conductor for the Brooklyn and New York Philharmonic societies. In 1891 he moved to Chicago, and since then has been conductor of the Chicago orchestra. He is director of the Cincinnati college of music, was musical director of the Chicago exposition and has held other prominent positions in the musical world. He has been married twice, his second wife being Rose Fay, of Chicago.
David Scull Bispham is another of those wise ones who recognized the call of his career and followed it. Originally intended for a business life, he found that his vocation was on the operatic stage, and in spite of the apparently insurmountable obstacles that intervened, he at length reached the goal of his desires. Mr. Bispham was born in Philadelphia January 5, 1857, and graduated in 1876 from Haverford college, a Quaker institution near Philadelphia. When not very much more than a baby he gave evidence of his musical taste, and when at college his connection with the glee club developed and fostered his gifts. Finally, after some years of experience as an amateur, he became a soloist in Philadelphia churches and in 1884 went to Italy to study and then appeared in concert in London. In 1892 he was intrusted with the rôle of “Tristan” at the Covent Garden Opera House, London, taking the audience of the British metropolis by storm. Since that time he has sung in all the great cities of the continent and of the United States, adding to his laurels meantime both as singer and actor. He is almost unexcelled as an oratorio vocalist, and is an exponent of classical ballads. Mr. Bispham was married in 1895 to Caroline, daughter of the late General Charles S. Russell. He is now the principal baritone of the Covent Garden Opera, London.
This generation seems to be particularly fortunate in regard to the number and the quality of its singers. Not the least prominent among these is Emma Calvé, the well-known prima donna, who has sung, so it is said, in every civilized or semi-civilized country in the world and in each and every instance has vindicated her professional reputation. She was born in France in 1866 and was educated at a convent. After some years of study under continental masters, she made her début in grand opera in 1882 at the Theater De la Monnaie, Brussels, where she appeared in Massenet’s Herodiade. Since then she has been intrusted with a number of responsible operatic rôles and is well known in the United States. No small portion of her current reputation rests upon the success that she achieved in connection with her appearance in Mascagni’s “Cavalleria Rusticana.”
Among the younger prima donnas who have attracted nearly as much attention abroad as they have in this country is Zelie de Lussan. She is an American girl by birth and received her musical training in New York and Boston. Subsequently she studied abroad, and after some concert work in France and Germany, returned to the United States, where she appeared in English and grand opera. Her successes from the inception of her artistic career were almost continuous. Besides her vocal gifts she owns histrionic talents of a high order. Subsequent to her last New York appearance, she was again called to Europe, and in that connection has given renewed assurance of her abilities. She is one of the several American girls who have succeeded in a profession which bristles with difficulties.
Edouard de Reszke was born atVasevie, Poland, in 1853. He is the brother of Jean de Reszke, and with him shares vocal gifts of a high order and a permanent popularity among musically inclined people. He studied music and singing under Ciaffei and Celetti, making his début as an operatic singer in Paris in 1876 as the king in “Aida.” Since then he has been before the public more or less constantly, and his reputation has not waned by reason of his many years of professional life. He is a favorite in grand opera rôles in Europe and has appeared in every city of importance in the United States. He is the owner of a basso of remarkable purity and timbre.
A triple alliance of magnificent vocal gifts, a commanding personality and a robust physique are responsible for the long and brilliant career of the operatic singer, Jean de Reszke. He was born in Vasevie, Poland. January 14, 1850, and studied under the masters, Ciaffei, Cotogni and Sbriglia. His début as baritone singer was made in Favorita, Venice, January, 1874, and his début as tenor singer in Madrid, 1879. Mr. de Reszke has appeared in leading rôles in grand opera both in the United States and Europe, one of his most popular characters being Tristan, in Tristan and Isolde. He was married to the Countess Marie de Goulaine, and now makes his home in New York city.
It is not often that one compasses one’s ambition to the full. More frequently it will be found that those whom the world calls successful are successful in part only, and that much is left unfilled. It is open to question, however, whether the man who has fully realized his hope is more happy than he to whom somewhat remains for which to crave and struggle. The answer to the question involved could hardly be given by Emma Eames, prima donna, for humanly speaking, she seems to have achieved the ambitions and the purposes of her life. The singer was born in Shanghai, China, August 13, 1867, of American parentage. Her childhood was spent in Boston, her musical education being at first under the direction of her mother and later under Miss Munyard, a well-known teacher of vocalism. While singing in a church choir in Boston, she attracted the attention of Prof. Gericke, then leader of the Boston symphony orchestra, and Prof. Paine, of Harvard, both of whom became interested in her. It was under their direction that the technical foundation of her future fame was laid. By their advice and with their assistance, she took lessons from Mme. Marchesi, of Paris, for two years and later, after instruction in operatic rôles by Prof. Gevart, chief of the Brussels conservatory of music, she made her début in Paris in Gounod’s Romeo and Juliet. A pronounced and spontaneous success was hers, and the news that a comparatively unknown American girl had become famous in a night excited the interest of musically inclined people all over the world. Gounod himself declared that she was his ideal Juliet. During her engagement in Paris, Miss Eames was the recipient of many social and official attentions, the president of the French republic honoring her with a decoration. In 1891 and the year following, she appeared in grand opera at the Covent Garden opera house, London, where she also scored. In 1893 and 1894 she gave New York audiences a taste of her quality by appearing in opera at the Metropolitan opera house and won immediatepopular favor. She is installed a permanent favorite in musical circles of this country. In 1891 she married Julian, son of W. W. Story, the sculptor.
Lillian Nordica, one of the most popular of American prima donnas, was born in Farmingdale, Maine, in 1859, her family name being Norton. Her musical education began early and was of a very thorough sort. After a period spent in local public schools, she became a student in the New England conservatory, her teacher being John O’Neil. Later she studied under San Giovanni at Milan, Italy. After preliminary work in concerts abroad, she made her operatic début at Brescia, Italy, in La Traviata, and scored instantaneously and emphatically. In 1887 she made a successful appearance in London, and later visited Paris, St. Petersburg and other European capitals. In each and every instance she repeated her initial successes. She has been twice married, her first husband being a Mr. Gower, and her second Herr Zoltan Done. The prima donna’s repertoire embraces the leading rôles of forty operas, and includes nearly all the standard oratorios. She is best known to the public in connection with Wagnerian parts, and has appeared in grand opera in this country on several occasions. Mme. Nordica has a charming personality, and her professional successes have by no means estranged her from the friends of her childhood.
Theoretically the uses of poverty are many, tending to the development of varied virtues. As a matter of fact, poverty is the mother of much meanness and many crimes. The struggle for mere existence among the poor is so keen that it absorbs their mental and physical vitality. So it is that he or she who passes from the twilight of penury into the sunlight of prosperity must be rarely gifted. Such an individual is Adelina Patti, whose fame as a great singer is not only yet undimmed, but bids fair to last as long as music itself. Patti was born in Madrid, Spain, February 19, 1843, her mother being a prima donna at the Grand theater. In 1844 the family came to this country, the father being appointed one of the managers of the then Italian opera house on Chambers street, New York. Little Adelina received her preliminary musical training from her half-brother, Ettore Barilli. Owing to the financial stresses in which her parents then were, she, although only seven years of age, was allowed to make her début in concert at Tripler’s hall, New York, on which occasion her undeveloped but phenomenal voice attracted general attention. In 1859 she made her début in grand opera at the Academy of Music, New York, when she appeared in Lucia di Lammermoor. Her audience gave her a most cordial welcome. But, as it turned out, her struggles were only beginning. As far as the mere cultivation of her voice was concerned, her natural gifts were of such a nature that she had no difficulty in overcoming the technical obstacles of her art, but the spirit of jealousy and suspicion which success usually arouses in the breasts of the unknown, prevented her talents from being duly recognized, or, to put it in another way, she was so belittled by her rivals that she had to individually satisfy every great city in America that she had not been overrated. Patti was deeply wounded by these unlooked-for conditions, but nevertheless she bravely faced the sneersand unkind criticisms and overcame them, and for many years has occupied a place in the estimation of the public, which probably no other prima donna in the history of civilization has attained. Twice during her career she has been threatened with the total loss of her voice, but happily the “nightingale in her throat” is as yet unsilenced. To the end of her days she will reap the reward of the self-denial and persistent attention to duty and art which she gave them during the years of her childhood. She has been as successful abroad as she has in this country. In grand opera she has assumed nearly all existing prominent rôles. For some years past she made her home abroad. In 1881, Patti revisited the United States, when she received $5,000 per night, which is said to be the largest amount ever paid to a singer or actor for one performance. Married three times, her last husband was Baron Rolf Cedarstrom. She is the owner of a castle at Craig-y-Nos, Wales. During her last and most recent visit to this country, the American public gave her ample proof that she still occupies a warm place in its affection.
Marcella Stengel Sembrich is one of the several prima donnas to whom the American music-loving public has remained loyal for many years. As an artist she ranks with the foremost singers of to-day, while her domestic life is of an ideal nature. As a rule, the law of compensation takes greatly where it gives freely, and so the woman of talent who devotes herself to the service of the public is apt to be the loser as far as home life is concerned. In Mme. Sembrich’s case it is otherwise, however, and her social popularity, too, is no less than is her vogue on the operatic stage. The songstress was born at Lemberg, Galatia, February 18, 1858. Her early musical education was obtained in the Conservatory of Lemberg, after which she studied at Vienna and Milan. Her marvelous vocal gifts assured the success of her début as Elvira, in I Puritani, at the Royal theater, Athens. After a season spent on the continent in opera she, in 1883, came to this country under the management of Henry Abbey. Her reception here was of the warmest nature, and from that time on she has been a constant favorite with the American public. She has made a number of tours in the United States and has been uniformly successful in connection therewith. In 1877 she married Prof. Wilhelm Stengel, who had formerly been her teacher at Lemberg.
A tireless worker and devoted to his calling, William H. Crane is without doubt one of the foremost comedians of the day. Mr. Crane was born in Leicester, Massachusetts, April 30, 1845. At the age of eighteen he made his professional début at Utica, New York. His first permanent engagement was with the Harriet Holman’s opera company, with which organization he remained for seven years. His first part, with this company, was that of the Orator, in The Child of the Regiment; later he filled the rôles of Beppo, in Fra Diavolo; Mephisto, in Faust; Hugh Challoner, in Ours; Dr. Dalcomora, in The Elixir of Love. Leaving the Holmans, he joined the Alice Oatesopera company, becoming its leading comedian. Later, after creating the part of Le Blanc, in Evangeline, he, in 1874, became a member of the stock company playing at Hooley’s theater, Chicago. His first appearance in New York city was at Niblo’s theater, in 1876, and it was in the same year that at the Park Theater, he won distinct recognition as a comedian of exceptional talent by his impersonation of Dick Swiveler to The Marchioness. During this time an acquaintance with Stuart Robson resulted in the two actors collaborating in Our Boarding House, which was given its initial presentation at the Park theater, New York city, October 11, 1877. This engagement being ended, they formed a partnership that lasted for twelve years. Since 1899 he has appeared in star rôles in The Senator, On Probation, For Money, Brother John, A Fool of Fortune, A Virginia Courtship, and other plays. Mr. Crane has accumulated a comfortable fortune, and in the intervals of his professional labor enjoys a pleasant home life with his wife and children at Cohasset, Massachusetts.
John Drew is an excellent example of a man finding his vocation and filling it. While it is true that he inherited his histrionic talent, his father, John Drew, Sr., having been a noted Irish comedian and his mother, Louise Lane Drew, also having been a great favorite on the stage—yet he has achieved success because of his personal efforts looking to its development. The prime requisite for advancement in any field is, first, find your talent, then bend every energy toward its development. The subject of this sketch was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, November 13, 1853, and early showed a preference for the boards. He was educated at the Episcopal academy and by private tutors, making his first appearance behind the footlights at the Arch street theater, Philadelphia, as Plumper, in As Cool as a Cucumber. Although only nineteen, his efforts met with almost immediate success, and at twenty-one he joined Mr. Daly’s famous company soon quickly becoming the most popular member of the organization. Since 1892 he has been starring in his own company. Although Mr. Drew excels in society plays, he has also made a brilliant record in classical drama, and especially in Shakespearian rôles. Petruchio, in Taming of the Shrew, is his favorite character, and it is the most difficult and exacting of any he assumes. He has brought out in yearly succession The Butterflies, The Bauble Shop, Christopher, Jr., Rosemary, A Marriage of Convenience, One Summer Day, and The Liars. Commenting upon Mr. Drew, William Winter, the well-known critic, wrote “that he possesses drollery, the talent of apparent spontaneity, and the faculty of crisp emotion. He has surpassed all young actors of his day as a gay cavalier and the bantering farceur of the drawing-room drama of modern social life. He is thoroughly in earnest, and his attitude toward his art is that of intellectual purpose and authority.”
We sometimes speak and often hear of an instantaneous success, but in reality there is no such thing as success or failure being immediate. Every real achievement is the culmination of weeks and months, and even years, of earnest and unremitting toil. The popular actor and well-known author, William Hooker Gillette, furnishes a case in point. The structure of his reputation bids fair to last indefinitely, but it rests onfoundations of preparatory work of which the public knows but little. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, July 24, 1855, being the son of Francis G. (late United States senator from Connecticut), and Elizabeth Daggett (Hooker) Gillette. Graduating from the Hartford high school at the age of twenty, he afterward attended the New York university for two years. From a lad he had given evidence of his love for the stage. While at the university he obtained a minor position in one of the theaters. In 1876, becoming a student in the Boston university, he followed the same plan of studying by day and playing in small parts at night. In this way he made himself thoroughly acquainted with the “business” of the stage, as well as the first principles of acting. Mr. Gillette made his first palpable hit in the title rôle of A Private Secretary by playing a part which required a particular delicacy of treatment.
Even as a schoolboy the famous comedian, Nat. C. Goodwin, by his clever imitations of leading actors, displayed signs of his future greatness. He was born in Boston, July 25, 1857, and educated in the public schools of that city. His parents intended that he should follow a commercial career, but he early decided for the stage as against a business life. His mirth-provoking powers were finally recognized by Stuart Robson, who engaged young Goodwin at a salary of $5 a week to play the part of the Bootblack, in Law in New York. Mr. Goodwin’s reputation was quickly established, and the next season he contracted with Josh Hart to appear in the Eagle theater in New York city, at a salary of $150 a week. In 1876 he played Captain Dietrich in Evangeline, and three years later entered upon his career as a star, a practically unbroken line of successes having followed both here and abroad, for when, in 1890, he filled a long engagement in London, he was received with every manifestation of approval. Mr. Goodwin has been married three times, the last wife being Maxine Elliott.
James Keteltas Hackett, one of the youngest of the prominent actors of America, and certainly the youngest actor-manager of note in this country, was born at Wolfe Island, Ontario, Canada, September 6, 1869. He is the son of the late James Henry Hackett, who in his time was also a notable figure of the American boards. After graduating from the College of the City of New York in 1891, he studied in the New York law school, but his inclination for the stage, which manifested itself almost as soon as he could talk, became more and more marked, and, abandoning the legal career which it had been intended he should follow, he gave himself up to studying for the stage. In 1892 he made his début in New York in the A. M. Palmer stock company. From the very first he gave unmistakable indications of his subsequent success. In four years—being then twenty-six years of age—he was leading man of the company in question, and was a star in the dramatic firmament of New York. From that time on his progress in his chosen profession has been unceasing. For some years he was under the management of Mr. Daniel Frohman, during which period he made distinctive hits in The Prisoner of Zenda and its sequel, Rupert of Hentzau, and The Pride of Jennico. Leaving Mr. Frohman’s management, he branched out for himself. As already intimated, he is as successful as he ispopular. He married Mary Mannering, a well-known actress, whom he met during his association with the Frohman forces.
Sir Henry Brodribb Irving, who has created an era in theatrical art, did not attain his ambitions until he had experienced a full share of disappointments and privations. His name is now associated with all that makes for the splendor of the drama, spectacular and intellectual. But the time was with Sir Henry when the next meal was an unknown quantity, when his wardrobe was carried on his back, and when his future seemed to be without promise professionally or otherwise. But with him, as with other successful men, his belief in himself enabled him to combat stress of troubles and finally landed him at the goal of success. Apart from all else he has, through the medium of his masterly productions of Shakespeare’s plays, done more to revive an intelligent interest in the “Immortal Bard” than has any other manager-actor of this generation. His keenest critics admit his genius, even while they comment on his methods. Like most men of his type he has a marked individuality, and for this reason he has been accused of mannerisms. On the other hand, his admirers claim that his individuality is responsible for no small portion of the charm and power of his work. The actor was born in Keinton, near Glastonbury, England, February 6, 1838, his actual name being Brodribb. By permission of the English authorities in 1887 he was authorized, however, to continue the use of the adopted name of Irving. Educated in private schools in London, he, in 1856, went on the stage in the provinces. His first appearance before a public was a failure, pure, simple and absolute. The London stage first knew him in 1859; then he returned to the provinces, remaining therein until 1866, when he once more came to London, playing in several different theaters, but in minor rôles. At about this period his talents began to assert themselves, and since 1871 Sir Henry Irving has been successfully before the public at the Lyceum Theater, London, of which he was lessee and manager from 1878 until 1899. He is well known to play-goers in this country by reason of his several tours here. In recognition of his work for the betterment of the stage he was knighted by Queen Victoria in 1895. Sir Henry Irving is also an author, his most notable work being The Drama.
Many ancestors of Joseph Jefferson followed the profession of acting. Both his father and mother were players. He was born at Philadelphia, February 20, 1829, was educated at home and first appeared on the stage as a child in the old-time favorite play of Pizarro. In 1843 his father died, and he joined a party of strolling players, who traveled through Texas and followed the United States army to Mexico. His first prominent rôle was that of Asa Trenchard, in Our American Cousin, which was first presented October 18, 1858, and continued for one hundred and fifty consecutive nights at Laura Keene’s theater in New York city. His other notable parts have been Newman Noggs, in Nicholas Nickelby; Caleb Plummer, in The Cricket on the Hearth; Dr. Pangloss, in The Heir-at-Law; and Dr. Ollapod, in The Poor Gentleman. But the public chiefly identify him with the title rôle of Rip Van Winkle, which he has played in every city in the United States, and also in England and Australia.He enjoys the distinction of having presented the character more times than any other actor has ever played a single character in the history of dramatics. Besides being one of the most popular actors of his times, Mr. Jefferson is a painter of considerable ability and is an author of some note. His “autobiography” is his most important work, but he has also contributed many articles to the magazines. He married, in 1848, Margaret Lockyer, and after her death took to wife Sarah Warren, in 1867.
How many failures in life are caused by misfit occupations! The world would have perhaps never known of Edward H. Sothern if he had followed the wishes of his father in choosing a life career. This man, who has attained such prominence in the histrionic profession would probably have been doomed to obscurity had he become a painter. He was born in New Orleans, Louisiana, December 6, 1859, being the second son of Edward Askew Sothern, the famous comedian. At the age of five he was taken to London, where he received his education. He studied drawing for some time, his father wishing him to become an artist, but he seems to have inherited a predilection for the stage. It was during his two visits to the United States with his father in 1875 and 1879, that, in spite of his parents’ objections, he decided to become an actor, which he did, making his début as a cabman, in Sam, at the Park theater, New York city. Later he joined his father’s company, but shortly after resigned in order to become a member of John McCullough’s company. In 1883, after appearing for two years at the Criterion, Standard, Royalty and other London theaters, and traveling one year, in company with his brother, Lytton Sothern, he returned to this country, again entered the company of John McCullough, becoming its leading comedian. Subsequently Mr. Sothern played with Helen Daubray, in One of Our Girls; he first took a leading rôle as Jack Hammerton, in The Highest Bidder. Since that time he has starred with his own company in Lord Chumley, The Maister of Woodbarrow, Prisoner of Zenda, Under the Red Robe, etc. He married Virginia Harned, his leading woman. Mr. Sothern has had an adequate professional training and his creditable work proclaims him a master of his art.
Maude Adams is descended from a long line of theatrical people. She was born at Salt Lake City, Utah, November 11, 1872. Her mother was the leading woman of a stock company in that city, and at a very early age Miss Adams appeared on the stage in child’s parts. Her school days were scarcely over when she joined the E. H. Sothern Company. She afterward became a member of Charles Frohman’s stock company, and still later was leading lady for John Drew. Her most pronounced success was as Babbie, in The Little Minister and another as the title rôle of l’Aiglon. She also received much publicity as the model for the silver statue which was exhibited at the World’s Fair, Chicago. Miss Maude Adams has established herself permanently in the good-will of American play-goers.
Viola Allen was born in the south, but went to Boston when three years of age. She was educated in that city and at the Bishop Strachan school, Toronto, Canada. Her début was made at the Madison Square theater, New York, in Esmeralda, in 1882. During the season of 1883 and 1884 she was leading lady for John McCullough, and afterward played classical and Shakespearian rôles. She was a member of the Empire theater stock company in 1892, but her principal success was in creating the character of Gloria Quayle, in The Christian, which had a long run in New York in 1898, succeeded by a tour through the principal cities of the country. Miss Allen’s private charities are many, and she is identified with those phases of church work which have to do with the bettering of the conditions of the poor.
Ethel Barrymore, one of the youngest stars in the theatrical profession, was born in Philadelphia in 1880. She comes of a professional family, and when, while yet a child, gave to those who were responsible for her first appearance behind the footlights assurance of innate talent. Miss Barrymore was by no means unknown to Metropolitan play-goers prior to the time when, under Mr. Charles Frohman’s management, she made her stellar début a few years since. The young actress is a finished comedienne and is a member of that modern school of comedy that cultivates repressed effort.
David Belasco, playwright and manager, has been uniformly successful with his plays and his stars. A case in point is that of Mrs. Leslie Carter, who has been connected in a professional capacity with Mr. Belasco for some years. Stepping from social circles in Chicago to the stage, she was in the first instance a somewhat indifferent specimen of the crude amateur actress, but Mr. Belasco detected in her undeveloped talent, and the rest is professional history. Under his guidance as tutor and manager she holds a prominent place in the theatrical world. Her first success was made in the Heart of Maryland and her last and most notable in Du Barry.
Eleanora Duse, the Italian tragedienne, who is Signora Cecci in private life, was born, in 1861, in Vigovano, Italy. At an early age she gave indications of those histrionic talents which subsequently made her famous. For many years she was one of the most notable figures on the stage of her country. She made her American début in 1893 at the Fifth Avenue theater, New York. While there is no gainsaying the sincerity and finish of her art, yet at the same time there are not a few critics who take exception to it on the score of the sombre plays and methods of the actress. Since her début she has visited the United States on more than one occasion, and in each instance her following in this country have accorded her the welcome which is due to her as an artiste and a woman.
“Blessed are the laughmakers,” is one of the later beatitudes, and on that score May Irwin will certainly receive her share of blessings. She was born at Whitby, Ontario, Canada, in 1862, and made her début at the Adelphi theater, Buffalo, in February, 1876. Later, with her sister Flora, she became a member of Tony Pastor’s company, and shortly afterwardjoined Augustin Daly’s company. She ranks as one of the wholesome mirth-making actresses of the American stage. The plays in which she has starred include The Widow Jones, The Swell Miss Fitzgerald, Courted Into Court, Kate Kip, Buyer, and other farcical comedies. In 1878 she was married to Frederick W. Keller, of St. Louis, who died in 1886.
Virginia Harned was born at Boston, and, at the age of sixteen, made her début as Lady Despar, in The Corsican Brothers. She first played in New York city in 1890 at the Fourteenth street theater in a play entitled “A Long Lane or Green Meadow.” In this play she made so good an impression that she was engaged by Daniel Frohman as leading woman for E. A. Sothern. In 1896 she was married to Mr. Sothern and has since appeared in leading parts in his company. Probably her greatest success was in the creation of the title rôle of Trilby.
Mrs. Lillie Langtry, if she has done nothing else, has proven that a woman can command admiration even when she is no longer in the first flush of her youth or in the full bloom of her womanhood. This statement is made in view of the public regard which she still enjoys as an actress, in spite of the fact that she first saw the light in 1852, in Jersey, Great Britain. Her father was connected with the Established church of England. She married an officer in the English army and subsequently settled in London. Domestic differences ensuing, she went upon the stage. Her American début, as an actress, was made in 1893 at the Fifth avenue theater, New York. Since then she has visited this country on two or three occasions. Mrs. Langtry is popularly known as the Jersey Lily. She was married for the second time in 1899.
That tender and graceful exponent of some of Shakespeare’s women, Julia Marlowe, was born at Coldbeck, Cumberlandshire, England, August 17, 1870. She came with her parents to this country when she was five years of age. After a period spent in Kansas, the family removed to Cincinnati, where she attended public school until she was twelve years of age. She then became a member of a juvenile opera company which produced Pinafore, Chimes of Normandy, etc. After several years of arduous work and study, she appeared in New York, but was a failure. Not discouraged, however, she went to work to study again, and in the spring of 1897 attained that recognition from a metropolitan audience for which she had striven so faithfully. Since that time she has advanced in her profession and has secured a prominent place among the leading actresses of to-day.
Mrs. Cynthia May Westover Alden is an example of the possibilities of journalism as a vocation for women. She was born at Afton, Iowa, May 31, 1862, being the daughter of Oliver S. and Lucilda (Lewis) Westover. After a period spent in local commonschools, she graduated from the Colorado state university and the Denver business college. Subsequently she taught geology, book-keeping and vocal and instrumental music. The owner of an excellent voice, she was for some years a soprano soloist in several church choirs in New York. In 1887 she was appointed United States inspector of customs at the port of New York, and during her term of service as such made many important seizures. She was also secretary in a municipal department of New York, and for a time was an employee of the New York state museum of natural history, resigning therefrom to engage in journalism. After editing the woman’s department of the New York Recorder, she took charge of a similar department on the New York Tribune. She is now on the editorial staff of the Ladies’ Home Journal. Mrs. Alden is also the founder and president-general of the International Sunshine society. Her life has been as busy as useful, and she has made for herself a large circle of friends who, though not knowing her personally, are nevertheless acquainted with her through the medium of the kindly and helpful journalism with which she is so generally identified.
That most noted and beloved of humanitarians, Clara Barton, is of Puritan ancestry, being born in Oxford, Massachusetts, in 1830. She was the daughter of Captain Stephen and Sally Stone Barton, and was educated at Clinton, New York. When still very young she founded a seminary for girls at Elizabethtown, New Jersey. Later, she became principal of the first public school in Bordentown, New Jersey, resigned through sickness and was the first woman to hold a regular clerical position under the government, afterward being appointed to the patent office at Washington, District of Columbia. During the Civil war she was instrumental in forming the famous sanitary commission which did such magnificent work for the sick and wounded at Bull Run, Antietam, Spottsylvania and many other battlefields of the war. When the Andersonville prisoners were released they received timely aid through her relief work, and by her earnest efforts the fate of over thirty thousand missing men was ascertained by means of the bureau of records which she organized at Washington. During the Franco-Prussian war she and her assistants nursed the sick and wounded in Strasburg and Metz. In the days of the Commune she entered Paris, distributing food and clothing to the hungry and starving. On her return to the United States in 1873, she started the successful movement to obtain recognition of the projected Red Cross society from the government. In 1882 the society was organized and she became its first president. In that capacity she has superintended the work of giving help to sufferers from the Michigan forest fires, the earthquake at Charleston, floods on the Ohio and Mississippi, 1884; the Johnstown flood, the Galveston disaster, 1900, etc. Wherever there has been a cry from the sufferer, Clara Barton, often in the face of almost insurmountable difficulties and constant danger, has ever responded to the call of duty.
Francis Edward Clark, the president of the United Societies of Christian Endeavor comes of New England stock, although he was born in Aylmer, province of Quebec, September 12, 1851. His parents died when he was a child, and his uncle,the Rev. E. W. Clark, adopted him and took him to Claremont, New Hampshire. Thus it was that he acquired a new name and country. Education and home influence inclined him to the ministry, and he early decided to become a clergyman. After an academic and college course—the latter at Dartmouth—he studied theology for three years at Andover, and was later appointed pastor of Williston church, Portland, Maine, a small mission from which he built a large Congregational church. One of his many ideas was the exaction of a pledge of faithful Christian endeavor from the members of his Bible classes. The results were of so marked a nature that the well-known society of which he is president was a consequence thereof. Churches of many denominations endorsed the idea, and within a few years national conventions of the organization were held which made the world think that a tidal wave of religious enthusiasm was sweeping over it. An organ of the movement was founded, entitled “The Golden Rule,” with Dr. Clark as editor-in-chief. The work continued to grow, and finally he was compelled to resign from the pastorate in order to devote himself to the needs of the society. The movement has extended all over the world, and in connection with it he has organized other societies, such as The Tenth Legions, The Macedonian Phalanx, The Christian Association, and Quiet Hour. Dr. Clark was married in 1876 to Harriet E. Abbott. He is the author of several books dealing with his life work.
Mrs. Mary Lowe Dickinson, the well-known authoress, was born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts, in 1897. She received a preparatory education in the common schools, then was placed under the instruction of private tutors, and subsequently studied art and literature abroad. Returning to this country, she became head assistant in the Chapman school, Boston, taught for some time in the Hartford female seminary and finally was made principal of the Van Norman institute, New York. Marrying John B. Dickinson, a New York banker, she on his death some years since became professor of belles lettres, emeritus professor and lecturer at Denver university. She is now connected in an official capacity with a number of philanthropic and religious institutions, is the editor of Lend a Hand Magazine, and for ten years has edited The Silver Cross. She has written poems and works of fiction which are illustrative of various lines of philanthropic work.
Thomas Dixon, Jr., lecturer, writer and clergyman, was born in Shelby, North Carolina, January 11, 1864, his father being the Rev. Thomas Dixon. He graduated from Wake Forest college, North Carolina, in 1883, from the Greensboro, North Carolina, law school in 1886, and from Johns Hopkins university in 1899. Harriet Bussey became his wife on March 3, 1886, in Montgomery, Alabama. He was a member of the North Carolina legislature from 1884 to 1886. Resigning in order to enter the ministry, he was ordained a Baptist clergyman in 1887, taking a pastorate at Raleigh, North Carolina, and late in the same year accepted a call to Boston. Two years later he came to New York, where he has become noted by reason of his pulpit treatment of topics of the day in a manner uniquely his own. He is the author of several works on religious and social problems, one of which, The Failure of Protestantism in New York, whichwas published in 1897, has attracted much attention. Mr. Dixon is a forceful speaker, a man of magnetic presence, and possesses the courage of his convictions to a high degree.
Herbert Hungerford was born at Binghamton, New York, February 22, 1874. He was brought up on a farm, obtained the groundwork of his education in district schools, and graduated from the academy at Windsor, New York, in 1895. The following year he entered Syracuse university, but was compelled to leave at the close of the freshman year on account of illness. Serving as a private in the First Regiment of New York volunteer infantry during the Spanish-American war, he, while the regiment was stationed at Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, established, edited and published the News Muster, which was a unique contribution to the curiosities of journalism, being the first illustrated newspaper published by a body of soldiers in the field. At the close of the war he returned to Binghamton and there organized the initial branches of the Success league. Later he was called to New York to further and take charge of the development of the organization in question, which is a federation of literary, debating and self-culture societies. The league has developed rapidly under his direction, now having branches in every state and in nearly every city and town of importance in the United States. He was married, in 1898, to Grace M. Whipple, of Binghamton, New York.
The story of the early struggles of the labor leader, John Mitchell, is both pathetic and inspiring. A son of the common people, he has risen from being a poor door-boy in the coal mines of Illinois, to a position of great trust and general honor. Mr. Mitchell was born in Braidwood, Brill county, Illinois, February 4, 1869, being the son of Robert and Martha Mitchell. Compelled to leave school at the age of ten, his subsequent education was obtained by night study. He afterward studied law, worked on a farm, became coal miner and was finally attracted to the labor movement, which at that time was directed by the Knights of Labor. In 1888 he took an active part in trade union affairs as president of the local organization of the Knights. Knowing that knowledge is power, he read everything that came within his reach and joined debating societies, athletic associations, independent political reform clubs and various other organizations, in order to take advantage of the several opportunities that they presented to him. When, in January, 1890, the order of United Mine Workers of America was organized, he was among the first to be enrolled, and in January, 1898, was elected its vice-president. He has been re-elected every year since, is also second vice-president of the American Federation of Labor and a member of various committees at the National Civic Federation. During the five years of his leadership the union has grown from a membership of forty-three thousand to a membership of over three hundred thousand. He has brought about many reforms in the interests of labor. His chiefest achievement is that of securing a settlement of the recent great coal mine strike through the arbitration commission appointed by President Roosevelt. He has demonstrated anew the force of the maxim that “It is to him only who has conquered himself it is given to conquer.”
Historians of the Wild—of the denizens of fields and woods and rivers—there are and have been, but in the majority of instances their work has been confined to mere descriptions of the personalities of birds and beasts and fish from the standpoint of the museum, rather than from that of the interested, if unscientific, observer. Ernest Thompson-Seton, however, naturalist and artist, has, through the medium of his books, managed to so wed popular interest and scientific data that the result is fascinating in the extreme. He has shown, too, that to a man of talent there is always a new field to be discovered amid the old ones, which, apart from all else, is a lesson that no one can afford to ignore. Thompson-Seton was born in South Shields, England, August 14, 1860. He is a descendant of the famous Setons of Scotland, Thompson being anom de plume. Coming to this country when a boy, he at first lived in the backwoods of Canada and also had experiences on the plains of the then far west. He was educated at the Toronto collegiate institute and also at the Royal academy, London, England. In 1896 he married Grace, daughter of Albert Gallatin, of San Francisco. His qualifications as a naturalist becoming known to the government of Manitoba, he was made official naturalist therefor, subsequently publishing works on the birds and mammals of that territory. He studied art in Paris and was at one time one of the chief illustrators of the Century dictionary. His works on natural history topics are well known. Thompson-Seton is what may be called a psychological naturalist, inasmuch as he analyzes the mentalities of his subjects. The results are seen in such books as The Biography of a Grizzly, The Trail of the Sand Hill Stag, Wild Animals I Have Known, etc.