Milt G. Barlow
MILT G.5 BARLOW (James4,
Thomas3, John2, Thomas1) was born according to Monarchs
of Minstrelsy (1911), on June 29, 1843 at Lexington, Kentucky,
and died September 1904 in New York, burial in Evergreen
Cemetery, ? New York.
He was married 3 times according to
his obituary, I believe his first wife was MARY
MUIR, (see Muir bio below), his second wife, MARTHA
GILES of Canada, (from Reginald's death certificate),
and the third wife's name unknown. (not necessarily
in order of marriage) |
Milt is a source
of confusion for me in putting together this genealogy
of Bunches of Barlows of Wilkes Co North Carolina.
His death
certificate shows him to be the
son of William H. and Chrisiale Barlow, while James
Madison Barlow's obituary says
he was the father of Milt. Bonnie Willett,
a descendant of James, believes that James
was his father, and Elizabeth Barlow, daughter
of Thomas
Harris Barlow, his mother, and
that Milt may have been raised by his uncle,
Dr. William H. Barlow. William's wife,
however, was Louisa Allgaiers, while this death
certificate shows her name to be Chrisiale. I
feel sure he is a member of this Bunches of
Barlow's family, but unsure of just where he
fits in.
For this genealogy,
I will assume him to be the son of James Madison
Barlow.
Update: March
2005: John F. Barlow has found Milt in the
1880 census of Toledo Ohio, where he is living
in the home of his mother, Elizabeth Hibben, thus,
letting us know that his mother was indeed Elizabeth.
Toledo,
Lucas Co Ohio, 1880
Elisabeth Hibben Head 60
Keeping House KY
KY KY
Will BARLOW Son 39 KY
KY KY
Milton BARLOW Son 37 KY
KY KY
Mary BARLOW Daughter-in-law 33
KY KY KY
Lily BARLOW Granddaughter 11 At
School OH KY KY
Harry BARLOW Grandson 9 At
School OH KY KY |
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"Milt" G.
Barlow, known to theatre-goers throughout the
land as "Ole Black Joe," died on Tuesday
of cancer in the throat at the Home for Incurables,
One Hundred and Eighty-third Street and Third
Avenue, at the age of sixty-five. Barlow originated
the character of "Ole Black Joe" thirty-five
years ago, and in 1875, during the tour with
Haverly's Minstrels, he made the song bearing
this name popular. In 1882, upon the dissolution
of Haverly's troupe of which Wilson, Primrose,
and West were members, Primrose and West undertook
their first theatrical venture with Barlow and
Wilson. Later Barlow and Wilson set out by themselves,
but were unsuccessful, and "Ole Black Joe" played
the title role in "Uncle Tom's Cabin" for
several years. Barlow afterward impersonated
the negro character in the "Texas Steer." He
was to have appeared in "The County Chairman," but
his health failed and he was taken to the hospital
last May suffering from cancer.
One of his old-time
partner relates that it was customary for
Barlow to receive his pay in nickels and dimes.
These he used to carry about with him in cigar
boxes.
|
Barlow was three
times married, and all his wives are still living.
He is also survived by two children - a daughter,
Lillian and a son, "Milt" G. Barlow. --Note
that Reginald Barlow is not mentioned--
New York Times
- September 29, 1904
Copy
of Original
Death
Certificate |
|
| The Constitution, Atlanta Georgia, Tuesday, February
22, 1887
"OLD Milt Barlow," the minstrel, has gotten
into jail and can't get out. It appears that in 1866
Milton married a young lady in Paris, Ky., and promptly
proceeded to spend $6000 which had been left her. In
1871 Milton added insult to injury by deserting his
wife and eloping with a variety actress. The truant
husband returned to his wife, however, but in 1886,
eloped with still another variety actress. Mrs. Barlow,
who has two children, says her husband has been making
from $10,000 to $20,000 a year out of his profession,
and she has entered a suit for divorce and alimony.
Mr. Barlow has been arrested and is now confined in
Ludlow street jail because he cannot give a $5,000
bond. He says he can't see how his wife is to get any
alimoney if he is to stay locked up. The public will
not hear anything more of "Old Black Joe" for
a season, at least. |
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History of Bourbon, Scott, Harrison
and Nicholas Counties, Kentucky
edited by William Henry Perrin, O. L. Baskin & Co Chicago,
1882
L.P. MUIR, auctioneer and fine
stock raiser; P. O. Paris; this well-known gentleman,
whose fame as a successful salesman and judge of
fine stock, is as wide as the "Blue Grass
Region" itself, was born at Hutchinson Station,
this county, in the year 1844; son of Colonel Samuel
and Sena 'Dawson' Muir, to whom were born nine
children, six of whom came to the years of maturity
-- three sons and three daughters; of the sons
L. P. is the eldest; John W., James V. are next
in order; the daughters are Mary, who married
Milton G. Barlow, of Toledo, Ohio; Alice,
married V. Dickerson, of Franklin County; Sena
became the wife of Ralph Nelson, and resides in
this county. The father of our subject was a son
of Samuel Muir, who was a native of Scotland. Samuel,
Jr., was in command of the militia for several
years, and thus gained the title of colonel. He
died in 1854; his wife, six years later.
Since attaining
his manhood's years, he has been engaged in the
breeding and growing of fine stock, his partiality
being in the direction of short horns, of which
he is an excellent judge and thoroughly understands
the short horn family, and is now the proprietor
and publisher of the "Short-Horn Record" which
office he took charge of in 1880, and since 1872
he has been engaged as salesman and auctioneer,
having a wide reputation as a lucrative business
in the line of his profession. In 1879, he married
Alice Clark, by whom he has one child: Lewis C.
Mr. Muir is a member of
the I.O.O.F. and of the A.F. & A.M., also
of the Royal Arch Chapter.
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Also of interest:
Murder
in North Little Rock, Arkansas - William 'Billy' Barlow
William
Barlow, Last of the Barlow Brothers Minstrels
Posters
of "Ole Black Joe"
Poster
of "Barlow, Wilson, Primrose & West"
Pass to Barlow Wilson, Primrose and West
1883
Barlow, Wilson and Company Songbook
Advertisement
for Barlow, Wilson, Primrose & West's Minstrels
Performances of Milt
G. Barlow
De
Old Church Yard in de Lane - Darling Minnie Gray
Old Uncle Dan
Mary's Gone With a Coon
Uncle Tom's Cabin
Put on de Golden Shoe
We'll Raise de Roof Tonight
I'd Like to See Ole Massa's
Face Again
|
Three children were born to Milt:
| |
i. |
LILLIAN BARLOW from Milt's
obituary, mother not known, nor any other information. Born
c1869, according to 1880 census. |
| 1. |
ii. |
MILT
G.6 BARLOW,
JR., aka HARRY M. BARLOW,
probably a son of Mary Muir, born c1855 in Paris Kentucky,
and died November 01, 1909 in Chicago, Cook Co Illinois (according
to the 1880 census, he was born c1871) |
| 2. |
iii. |
REGINALD BARLOW,
aka REGINALD LIVINGSTON, son
of Martha Giles, born June 17, 1866 in Springfield, Massachusetts,
and died July 06, 1943 in Hollywood, Los Angeles Co California. He
was not in the 1880 census, perhaps Milt had been married
prior to Mary also) |
Generation 6
| 1. |
MILT
G.6 BARLOW,
JR., aka, HARRY M. BARLOW, (Milt5,
James4, Thomas3, John2, Thomas1) was born c1867
in Paris Kentucky, (from daughters birth certificate),
and died November 01, 1909, in Chicago, Cook Co Illinois,
burial in Oakridge Cemetery, Chicago, Cook Co Illinois.
He married HARRIET
NICHOLSON of
Illinois |
Variety November
20, 1909
Milt G.
Barlow, Jr., son of the late Milt G. Barlow,
the well-known ministel, died November
01, in Chicago.
A wife
and seven year old daughter survive. |
|
Official
Death Record
Chicago Tribune: November
05, 1909
Burial Permits
issued by the Health Dept of Chicago: Harry
M. Barlow, age 43, 710 N. Clark Street, November
01. |
|
|
Child of Milt Barlow and Harriet Nicholson
is:
| 3. |
i. |
VIOLET MUIR7 BARLOW,
born August 08, 1901 in New York City, New York, and died
June 16, 1963 (California Death Index) |
From Violet's birth record, it shows that another
child had been born, but that it was not living at the time of
her birth.
| 2. |
REGINALD6 BARLOW,
aka REGINALD LIVINGSTON, (Milt5,
James4, Thomas3, John2, Thomas1) was born June
17, 1866 in Springfield, or Cambridge, Massachusetts,
and died July 06, 1943 in Hollywood, Los Angeles Co California,
burial in Cambridge Cemetery, Cambridge, Middlesex Co
Massachusetts.
His known wives include:
CLARE DANFORTH, whom he married on
April 15, 1902 in Charleston, Missouri under the name
of Reginald Livingston. The daughter of LEVI DANFORTH
and MARY PAYNE MOORE, she was born January 03, 1880 in
Mississippi Co Missouri, and died 1967 in Portland, Oregon. She
married 2nd, FRANK FARR. Birth, Death
and 2nd marriage information comes from: Stith
Valley.com
BERTHA MERKLE, aka SELMA
ROSE,
whom he married August 1903 in Los Angeles,California. She
died November 21, 1933 in Los Angeles, California.
CAROL, of New Hampshire, whom he was
married to at the time of his death, according to his
death certificate.
No known children.
|
| New
York Times, July 07, 1943
R. Barlow is Dead, Actor
and Soldier
Veteran Figure of
Stage and Screen Stricken at 76
- Was an Equity Leader -
- Fought in Three Wars -
- Colonel of Infantry
in 1918 -
- Decorated by Queen for Valor in Boer Conflict-
Hollywood. July
6 (AP) --
Reginald Barlow,
veteran stage and screen actor, died today at the
age of 76.
Mr. Barlow retired
from pictures two years ago. In the first World
War, he was a colonel in command of the 304th Infantry.
He was also a veteran of the Spanish-American and
Boer Wars, and was decorated by Queen Victoria
during the Boer War.
He was born in
Springfield, Mass.
Reginald Barlow
made his stage debut at the age of 9 in his father's
minstrel troupe of Barlow, Wilson,
Primrose, and West. While playing in
Winnipeg in 1900 he joined the Royal Canadian Regiment,
then about to entrain for South Africa. His decoration
from Queen Victoria was awarded for the rescue
of his wounded captain under fire. |
|
He
had thoughs of quitting the stage for the church
in 1908 and at the time remarked to an interviewer: "All
my ancestors have been soldiers, actors, and
ministers, and some of them all three. I am
a direct descendant of Bishop Barlow of the days
of Henry VIII.
In the
early part of his acting career he played leading
roles in "The Silver King," "Monte
Cristo," "The Sign of the Cross," "Monbars," "The
Madcap Princess," and "The Little
Princess." On his return to civil life
after the first World War he appeard in "Blood
Money," "Out of the Sea," "Old
Lady 31," "The Heaven-Tappers," "Outside
Looking In," and in 1931, "The Silent
Witness," his last Broadway engagement.
On the screen he was seen in "The Washington
Masquerade," 1932, and "The Witness
Vanishes," 1939.
During the exciting
days of the Actors Equity strike, and during
the early years of Equity after its triumph,
Colonel Barlow was a leader in the organization,
serving on many of its important committees.
Those who saw the parade of the strikers down
Broadway remember the martial figure of Colonel
Barlow, riding a spirited horse, organizing the
marchers in the drizzling rain.
Copy
of Original |
Character People,
by Ken D. Jones, Arthur McClure, and Alfred E.
Tworney
Reginald Barlow
was a distinguished looking actor who lent an
air of dignity to any rold he played. This was
probably brought about by his military training.
He was a veteran of three wars, The Spanish-American,
The Boer, and World War I in which he was a colonel.
He was decorated by Queen Victoria for his part
in the Boer War.
Barlow
was born June 17, 1866 in Springfield, Massachusetts.
He made his stage debut at the age of nine
with a minstrel troupe, then he performed on
the legitimate stage until his last appearance
in 1931, The Silent Witness. He died July 06,
1943 in Hollywood.
Copy
of Original |
|
|
Death
Certificate
|
A Sad Story of Long Ago! It
appears to be a trait of this family...perhaps it
is an 'actor' thing. But then, their grandfather,
James Madison, was a member of the Mormon faith,
perhaps they thought they were doing the right thing!
From the WEEKLY
ENTERPRISE, Charleston,
Mo, August 21, 1903
BARLOW IS A BIGAMIST
Known and married here as Livingston -- a Hero and an Actor.
Last Friday the
Enterprise received a telegraphic inquiry from
St. Louis and another later in the day from Chicago,
relative to one Reginald Barlow, who was reported
to have married a Miss Merkle in Los Angeles, Calif.
It was difficult to believe that the report could
be based upon fact because Mrs. Barlow was at the
home of her father, L.D. Danforth, in this city
(Charleston) at the time, but later developments
show that Barlow did go through the form of marriage
in California as stated.
The following articles regarding
the "marriage" are from Chicago papers:
LOS
ANGELES, CAL., Aug. 12--
Reginald Barlow,
actor, was married last Thursday to Miss Bertha
Merkle, rich in her own name and the daughter of
a wealthy Milwaukee lumberman.
Barlow on the train
from Chicago was by chance thrown in contact with
the Milwaukee heiress and her mother, who were
going to San Francisco. Barlow and Miss Merkle
fell madly in love with each other and in San Francisco
Miss Merkle, with the consent of her mother, arranged
for a secret wedding here. (In Los
Angeles).
Barlow is a son
of the famous old-time minstrel, Milt G. Barlow,
and is 35 years of age. He has been an actor all
his life, but the military fever overcame him while
playing in Quebec, and he enlisted in the Canadian
Volunteers and served all through the South Africa
war. He is the hero of 37 engagements. He had a
Victorian medal pinned on his breast by Queen Victoria
for signal heroism.
Miss Merkle's father
is largely interested in the vast lumber business
of the North, and she herself is a wealthy woman.
However, like Barlow's Victorian medal, her wealth
remained in the background until the engagement
had been decided. She is a woman of rare beauty,
college bred and traveled.
Mrs. Merkle will
accompany the newly wedding couple to Buffalo,
where Mr. Barlow will join Millie James' production
of "The Little Princess."
MILWAUKEE,
WIS., Aug. 15--
W.J. Merkle, a
wealthy manufacturer and brother of the young society
woman who recently became the wife of Reginald
Barlow in Los Angeles, is greatly worried over
the stories of the actor's alleged matrimonial
entanglement. All day he has kept the wires hot
trying to locate the couple, but has so far failed
to find them. He said today; "We are dumbfounded
by the reports of Barlow, and are prepared for
the worst. He will be certainly prosecuted, but
whether by my sister, I cannot say."
CHICAGO
INTER OCEAN -
Verification of
the charge that Reginald Barlow, Chicago matinee
idol, had committed bigamy by his recent marriage
to Miss Bertha Merkle of Milwaukee was received
Saturday from Charleston, Missouri, where the woman
whom Barlow married three years ago is now living.
"I have never
been divorced from Barlow," she said when
informed of his marriage to Miss Merkle in Los
Angeles. "I do not know what to think. I left
him only a few weeks ago in Chicago, and we had
agreed to meet again as soon as he completed a
theatrical engagement in California."
She added that
only a few days ago she received a letter from
Barlow notifying her that his engagement would
be concluded at the end of this week, and that
he would at once start for Charleston.
Barlow married
his Charleston wife under the name of Reginald
G. Livingston. She is the daughter of L.D. Danforth,
a prominent citizen of Charleston. With her little
daughter, of whom Barlow is the father, she has
been living with her father in Charleston since
her departure from Chicago.
Barlow was known
in Charleston as Reginald G. Livingston. He and
Miss Clare Danforth were married at the home of
her father by the Rev. W. Alex. Jordan, pastor
of the Baptist Church, on April 15, 1902. He and
his wife spent several weeks in Charleston last
summer, and he was quite popular with all who happened
to meet him. Newspaper reports has it he has two
other "wives."
All who know Mrs.
Livingston will sympathize with her in her trouble,
and will join the Enterprise in the hope that the
fellow will be duly prosecuted and severely punished
for his crimes.
Article donated
by Jeanne and Russ Albertson
Copy
of Original
While I do not
know the outcome of this particular incident, it
appears that all worked out, as at the time of
her death in 1933, Miss Bertha Merkle Barlow is
shown to be the wife of stage actor, Reginald Barlow. |
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| Variety, December 05, 1933
Mrs. Bertha Barlow,
60, wife of Col. Reginald Barlow, actor, known
on the stage as Selma Rose, died
in Los Angeles, Nov. 21. Death was due to a heart
attack.
Funeral services
were held in Hollywood, Nov. 23. Cremation followed.
Survived by the
widower and a brother, Joseph Merkel, of Rochester,
N.Y.
Copy
of Original
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Photograph
of Col. Reginald Barlow with Shirley Temple
Filmography
from Microsoft Cinemania
1932
Horse
Feathers
I am a Fugitive From a Chain Gang
If I Had a Million
The Wet Parade |
1933
Ann Vickers
The Big Cage
Flying Down to Rio
Grand Slam
King Kong |
1934
One Night of Love
Operator 13
Romance in Manhattan
Stamboul Quest |
1935
The
Last Days of Pompeii
Bride of Frankenstein
Captain Blood
The Gilded Lily
Werewolf of London |
1936
The Last of the Mohicans
Little Lord Fauntleroy
Lloyd's of London |
1937
The Toast of New York
It
Happened Out West |
1938
The Adventures of Marco
Polo |
1939
The Man in the Iron Mask
Tower of London |
Theatrical
Productions
|
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Generation 7
| 3. |
VIOLET
MUIR7 BARLOW (Harry6,
MiltSr5, James4, Thomas3, John2, Thomas1) was born August
08, 1901 in New York City, New York, and died June 16,
1963 in California. (California Death Index)
She married Mr. BENTER, probably BILLY
BENTER, her night-club
act partner.
|
Nevada State Journal,
Reno Nevada Saturday, April 18, 1936
The coast's new comedy team, Barlow
and Benter, fill out the 6-act show. Miss Vi Barlow,
elongated gal who presents comedy work on the order
of the inimitable Charlotte Greenwood, is on of California's
comediennes.
Nevada State Journal, Reno Nevada Saturday, April
25, 1936
Variety Is Spice Of Floor Show At the Tavern
The personnel of last week's Tavern show held
over and opened with a bang last evening. All new
numbers grace the show.
Barlow and Benter go into their second week, offering
new versions of their original comedy routines.
Miss Barlow, a counterpart of Charlotte Greenwood,
proves herself a versatile comedienne with a fine
partner in Billie Benter. Their Comedy Ballet number
this week as well as the hilarious waltz-travesty,"Embarrassing
Moments," easily carry off high honors on
the fun portion of the bill.
Van Nuy News, Van Nuys California March
24, 1952
Armenian Unit Studies Interiors
Mrs. Violet Barlow Benter, formerly of New York,
will speak on what's new in interior decorating
for San Fernando Valley Auxiliary of the Armenian
General Benevolent Union Wednesday. The 12:30 p.m.
luncheon will be in Mrs. Kaye Vahan's home, 10406
Camarillo St., Toluca Lake.
Mrs. Benter at one time held a fellowship at Metropolitan
Museum, is considered an authority on antiques,
and has done television shows on interiors.
Assisting hostesses are Mmes. Manwog Simonian,
Irene Germakian, Gloria Varian and Jack Ekparian.
Original Articles
Official
Birth Record
Articles contributed
by John F. Barlow |
The Playgoer, February
1946
Violet Muir Barlow
is "show folk" to her finger tips, for
she is a member of the famous Barlow family, who
helped make theatrical history in the United States.
Born in New York City, but raised all over the world,
Miss Barlow is truly an international comedienne.
As a satirist, dancer and comedienne, she has played
in London, all over Europe, and throughout South
America. Her New York stage and night club appearances
have been legion, and she has over thirty Hollywood-produced
films to her credit, playing comedy leads opposite
such comic stars as Edgar Kennedy, James Gleason,
Franklin Pangborn, the late Charlie Chase, Louis
Jean Bartels, and Andy Clyde. During the war, Miss
Barlow did more than 400 USO-Camp shows, playing
in every state in the Union. She is exceedingly proud
of the fact that she was the only Mistress of Ceremonies
to ever emcee an entire show at famed Hollywood Canteen.
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Barlow in the Arts
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