Chapter XI: Book THREE: Encyclopedic Biographies, (4)

The founder of the flourishing publishing house of Doubleday, Page & Co., of New York, is Frank Nelson Doubleday, who was born in Brooklyn in 1862, being the son of W. E. Doubleday. He was educated at the Polytechnic institute of the City of Churches, and during his school days gave indications of his future career, for before he had finished his studies he had established quite a flourishing job printing business among his schoolmates and friends. When fifteen years of age he got a position with the Scribners as errand boy, remaining with the firm for many years in a number of capacities. He founded the publication entitled “The Book Buyer,” and when Scribner’s Magazine was started he was made its manager and publisher. The average young man would have been contented with this position, which was honorable, professionally, and lucrative, financially. But young Doubleday was ambitious, and so in 1897 he joined the S. S. McClure Company. After a brief stay with them, he formed the Doubleday & McClure Co., book publishers. The firm flourished and published many works of well-known authors, including Rudyard Kipling’s “Day’s Work.” It was at this time that a close friendship was formed between Mr. Doubleday and the famous author. In 1900 Doubleday, Page & Co. came into existence, associated with the senior partner being W. H. Page, former editor of the Atlantic, and H. W. Lanier, who is a son of the poet, Sydney Lanier, and others. The firm established World’s Work, a magazine that achieved an immediate success. Another venture of the company was “Country Life in America,” which is typographically and artistically very beautiful. This magazine, too, was an emphatic success. He married Neltje de Graff, a descendant of a historic Dutch family. Mrs. Doubleday is the author of a number of works, many of which have to do with natural history subjects, including “Bird Neighbors” and “Nature’s Garden,” both of which are well known to students of nature.

ISAAC KAUFFMAN FUNK.

Originality has been a powerful factor in the career of the noted clergyman, editor and publisher, the Rev. Dr. Isaac Kauffman Funk. He was born at Clifton, Greene county, Ohio, September 10, 1839. His parents, John and Martha (Kauffman) Funk, were descendants of early Holland-Swiss emigrants to Pennsylvania. Graduating from Whittenberg college, Springfield, Ohio, with the degree of D.D., he from this same institution, in 1896, received the degree of LL.D. From 1861 to 1872 he was engaged in active work in the Lutheran ministry. At the end of that time he resigned his pastorate and traveled extensively in Europe, Egypt and Palestine. Upon returning to America he became associate editor of the Christian Radical. In 1876 he founded and published in New York city the Metropolitan Pulpit, now the Homiletic Review, acting as its editor-in-chief. His former college classmate, Adam W. Wagnalls, a lawyer of Atchison, Kansas, became in 1877 his partner, and the firm name was changed to I. K. Funk & Co., and later, in 1891, to Funk & Wagnalls Co. Their several branch houses in Canada and England, as well as their many published books which have met with public favor, testified to the business successes of the members of the concern. Dr. Funk is the founder of some well-known periodicals, among which The Voice, The Literary Digest and The Missionary Review are the most important. He also published a standard dictionary of the English language, of which he was editor-in-chief. The production of this work was a gigantic undertaking, costing nearly one million dollars.

WILLIAM RANDOLPH HEARST.

It is usually supposed, and rightly so, that a young man who inherits much wealth is not very likely to make his mark in the world. The career of William Randolph Hearst furnishes an exception to the general rule, however, for, in spite of being handicapped by a comfortable fortune, he has achieved no small reputation as a newspaper editor and publisher. Mr. Hearst was born in San Francisco, California, and is the son of the late United States Senator George F. Hearst. He is the owner of the San Francisco Examiner and other well-known newspapers. In 1895 he bought the New York Journal, later purchasing the Advertiser and consolidating it with the Journal to secure a franchise. In 1900 he founded the Chicago American, which paper has the largest morning circulation in the city in which it is published. At present Mr. Hearst is publishing altogether five large newspapers: two in New York, two in Chicago and one in San Francisco. He is a firm believer in the theory of so-called “yellow journalism,” claiming that with its help he reaches the masses. His papers are noted chiefly for their brilliant editorials. Mr. Hearst advocates the cause of the laboring classes, is a member of congress, has been mentioned as a possible candidate for the Presidential nomination on the Democratic ticket in 1904.

EDWARD EVERETT HIGGINS.

If you should ask Edward E. Higgins, the publisher of Success, what are the characteristics which have given him his present position in the publishing world, he would doubtless reply, “Courage, persistence and patience.” He has had an unusually varied training and experience. He was born on April 4, 1864, in Chelsea, Massachusetts, and, after a preliminary education in the local grammar and high schools, which were then considered among the best in the state, he entered the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was graduated as an electrical engineer in 1886. He obtained there the mathematical training which has remained with him ever since, and which has contributed not a little to his acknowledged power of distinguishing between the possible and the impossible in both engineering and business matters. Foreseeing the great future of the electric street railroad, he became associated, in its earliest development, with the Sprague and Edison companies, and it was largely through his efforts that electricity was first introduced into Buffalo and other cities of New York state. Acquiring a large fund of information on street railroad matters at home and abroad, Mr. Higgins became, in 1893, the editor of the Street Railway Journal, and has won an international reputation as a statistical, engineering and financial expert on street railway matters. In 1899 he perceived an opportunity to develop a large and important home publication from what was then a small and struggling periodical—Success—and acquired an interest, intending that it should be merely a side issue. But the phenomenally rapid growth of Success soon called for Mr. Higgins’ entire time, and the result is seen in the fact that Success, with its circulation of over 300,000, now, after only four years’ time, is one of the first half-dozen American magazines in circulation, prestige and general standing, and no paper is more useful or valuable in the home.

LOUIS KLOPSCH.

No better example of the zealous religious worker, disinterested benefactor and talented journalist can be cited than the subject of this sketch, Louis Klopsch. He was born in Germany, March 26, 1852, receiving only a common school education. In 1886, after having removed to New York, he married May E., daughter of the Rev. Stephen Merritt. Becoming interested in newspaper work, he became the proprietor of the Daily Reporter, New York. He was also owner of the Pictorial Associated Press from 1884 to 1890, and has had charge of the Talmage sermon syndicate since 1885. On his return from Palestine, in 1890, he became connected with the Christian Herald, which he purchased in 1892. Since that time he has, through his paper, raised and distributed nearly $2,000,000 in international charities. In recognition of his relief work, during the Russian famine of 1892, he was received by the Czar of Russia, and in 1898 the English and Indian governments extended official thanks to him for his services in behalf of famine-stricken India. President McKinley appointed him one of the three commissioners in charge of the relief of the starving Reconcentradoes in Cuba, and for this purpose he raised nearly $200,000. In the spring of 1900, accompanied by Gilson Willets, Mr. Klopsch visited the famine and cholera fields of India, and through his paper, in six months’ time, secured a fund of $700,000 for their relief. He has also guaranteed the support of five thousand famine orphans in India.

SAMUEL SIDNEY MCCLURE.

One of the leading magazine publishers of to-day, Samuel Sidney McClure, was born in County Antrim, Ireland, February 17, 1857. Being an ambitious youth, he naturally turned to America, “the land of opportunity.” By his own earnest efforts he succeeded in securing a liberal education, being graduated from Knox college, Illinois, in 1882, obtaining the degree of A. M. in 1887. September 4, 1883, he was married to Harriet, daughter of Professor Albert Hurd, of Knox college, Galesburg, Illinois. He established, in November, 1884, a newspaper syndicate, and in 1893 he founded McClure’s Magazine, which ranks among the most popular periodicals of the day. His national reputation is largely due to this enterprise. His executive ability has made him the president of the S. S. McClure Company, and he has been a trustee of Knox college since 1894. Mr. McClure has discovered and recognized a human need, and by filling that need is realizing his well-merited success.

FRANK ANDREW MUNSEY.

The rise of Frank A. Munsey from a poor postoffice clerk in Augusta, Maine, to the head of one of the most profitable publishing houses in the world has been as rapid as it is remarkable. His only capital when he began his current business were his ideas and his nerve; yet, in less than ten years, he has made a fortune. Mr. Munsey was born in Mercer, Maine, August 21, 1854, the son of Andrew C. and Mary J. Munsey. After securing an ordinary education in the public schools of Maine, he began his business career in a country store, and later became manager of the Western Union telegraph office of Augusta, Maine. When, in 1882, he went to New York and started the Golden Argosy, a juvenile weekly (now the adult monthly, The Argosy), his friends thought he was as unwise as he was reckless. It is said that some of them actually proposed an inquiry into his sanity. Having made money by The Argosy, he invested it, in 1890, in a magazine, launching Munsey’s Weekly, which he converted October, 1891, into Munsey’s Magazine. He now also publishes The Puritan and the Junior Munsey, besides newspapers in New York and Washington. Although more widely known as a publisher than an author, he has written several books, including Afloat in a Great City, 1887; Boy Broker, 1888; Tragedy of Errors, 1889; Under Fire, 1890, and Deering Forte, 1895.

JOSEPH PULITZER.

Extraordinary energy and executive ability and a Napoleonic faculty of perceiving and utilizing the talents of others, are the qualities upon which the journalist and publisher, Joseph Pulitzer, has built his reputation and his fortune. He was born in Buda-Pesth, Hungary, April 10, 1847, and, after receiving a classical education in his native city, came to the United States at the age of sixteen. For two years he served as a private soldier in the Federal Army, and, afterward, failing to gain a foothold in New York city, he went to St. Louis, where he became a reporter on the Westliche Post, a German newspaper then edited by Carl Schurz. Studying law, he was next admitted to the bar of Missouri. Then he was made managing editor of the Post, and in 1869 was sent to the Missouri legislature. In 1878 he bought the St. Louis Dispatch, uniting it with the Evening Post as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, which is now one of the most successful publications of the west. In 1883 Mr. Pulitzer purchased the New York World, which, thanks to his journalistic genius, is now one of the most widely read newspapers published in New York city. He was elected to congress in New York for the term of 1885 to 1887. In 1890 he erected in Park Row one of the most striking and costly newspaper buildings in the United States. In 1896 he was a strong advocate of the National (gold standard) Democratic party. Mr. Pulitzer has always been distinguished by his generous and courteous treatment of his subordinates.

JOHN BRISBEN WALKER.

Among the leading magazine editors of to-day is John Brisben Walker, the author and publisher of the Cosmopolitan Magazine, who is also the founder of Cosmopolitan university. He was born in western Pennsylvania, September 10, 1847, and is the son of John and Anna (Krepps) Walker, and his early education was received at Gonzaga Classical School, Washington, D. C. In 1863, he entered Georgetown university, remaining there until he received appointment to the United States military academy at West Point, in 1865. In 1868, however, he entered the Chinese military service, in which he remained for two years. Returning to America, he was married, in 1870, to Emily, daughter of General David Hunter Strother. For the next three years he was engaged in manufacturing in western Pennsylvania. In 1872 he was a candidate for congress on the Republican ticket, but was defeated. During the panic of 1873 his entire fortune was swept away. But, in spite of political and financial failure, Mr. Walker rapidly forged to the front again. He next entered in journalism, and for three years was managing editor of the Washington (D. C.) Chronicle. Then he moved to Colorado, and for about nine years was a successful alfalfa farmer in that State. In 1889 he located in New York, and bought the Cosmopolitan Magazine, of which he is still the editor. The entire plant was moved to Irvington-on-Hudson in 1895. While Mr. Walker has achieved notable success in the magazine business, the most notable work of his life was the founding of the Cosmopolitan university in 1896.

ORATORS.

ALBERT J. BEVERIDGE.

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.

CHAMP CLARK.

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.

WILLIAM BOURKE COCKRAN.

W. B. Cockran, the well-known lawyer and politician, who is also one of 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.

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.

CARL SCHURZ.

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 men were 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.

MUSICIANS.

WALTER JOHANNES DAMROSCH.

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 Metropolitan Opera House and added to his reputation in connection therewith. Mr. Walter J. Damrosch is married to Margaret, daughter of the late James G. Blaine.

HENRY LEWIS REGINALD DE KOVEN.

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.

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.

VICTOR HERBERT.

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.

LEONORA JACKSON.

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.

FRANZ KNEISEL.

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 music and 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.

MAUD POWELL.

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.

THEODORE THOMAS.

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.

SINGERS.

DAVID SCULL BISPHAM.

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.

EMMA CALVÉ.

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.”

ZELIE DE LUSSAN.

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.

Edouard de Reszke was born at Vasevie, 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.

JEAN DE RESZKE.

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.

EMMA EAMES.

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 immediate popular 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.

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.

ADELINA PATTI.

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 sneers and 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.

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.

ACTORS.

WILLIAM H. CRANE.

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 Oates opera 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.

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.”

WILLIAM HOOKER GILLETTE.

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 on foundations 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.

NATHANIEL C. GOODWIN.

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.