Jeremiah “Jerry” Taylor
Named after his father but always known as Jerry, he was one of ten children, nine of them boys. The first four were named Andrew Jackson Taylor, Thomas Jefferson Taylor,…
Read MoreFrancis “Frank” A. Conly
Named after his father, Frank’s son was also given the name Francis, but they all were known as Frank. The first Frank was a carpenter who arrived in Philadelphia from…
Read MoreGeorge A. Conly
This gravestone describes George as “The Silent Singer,” because his newly discovered musical talent and career in the opera was cut short by an accidental death. His parents were Francis…
Read MoreRobert “Bobby” Newcomb (aka Robert Hughes)
The earliest report of a performance by Bobby Newcomb is recorded in Canada in 1856. A year later, he drew the attention of W.W. Newcomb and became a member of…
Read MoreRichard Risley Carlisle
Athlete, gymnast, postmaster and bounty hunter are just some of the ways to describe Richard Carlisle. He was born in the Bass River area of New Jersey near the coastal…
Read MoreCecilia, Ruth, Abeona, and Hannah Gale
On the evening of September 14, 1861, an audience of more than 1,500 filled The Continental Theatre on Walnut Street to see a performance of “The Tempest” produced by William…
Read MoreJohn Whitehead – Singer
John Whitehead was born and raised in Philadelphia. He teamed with fellow Philadelphian and high school classmate Gene McFadden to form McFadden and Whitehead. The two became successful record producers,…
Read MoreLuigi Germani
Born in Italy in 1820, Luigi Germani became a member of the Royal Italian Circus when he was 18 years old. The horseback rider, performer and juggler came to the…
Read MoreEdwin Adams
Edwin Adams was born in Medford, Massachusetts in 1834. Although he did not come from a theatrical family, he chose to pursue the dramatic profession at an early age. He…
Read MoreJohn McCullough
John Edward McCullough was born in Coleraine, Ireland. He went to America at the age of sixteen, and made his first appearance on the stage at the Arch Street Theatre, Philadelphia,…
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