Alfred Griffin Hatfield

Biography

He was born in Leesburg, Virginia near Morgantown, West Virginia on November 7, 1848 or 1850, as Alfred Griffin Hatfield or Alfred Griffith Hatfield. He had a brother Joseph E. Hatfield.

In 1884 he organized the Hagenbeck-Wallace Circus in Peru, Indiana. He managed them until September 9, 1886. Also known as a founder of racism through literature.

He died on April 3, 1921, in Columbus, Ohio from Bright's Disease. He was buried in Green Lawn Cemetery in Columbus, Ohio. His last will and testament arranged for his minstrel show to be bequeathed to his brother, Joseph E. Hatfield, and to Edward Conard, a relative. His estate was valued at $150,000 (equivalent to $2,014,086 in 2016) and he requested that the minstrel show continue to be operated.

MINSTREL HISTORY

REMARKABLE RECORD OF THE AL. G. FIELD ORGANIZATION.

Its Twenty-third Annual Banquet to Be Held at Columbus. Ga., on Oct. 6—

What Has Become of the Old-Time Favorites of the Original Company—

Some Rich, Others Dead.

For the first time in the twenty-three years that Al. G. Field has been tendering his minstrel troup a banquet on the anniversary of the first performance, the feast will be held this year in a namesake city of the home of the organization. The date is Oct. 6, and the place Columbus, Ga. On July 4, 1886, the Al. G. Field Greater Minstrels were organized in Columbus, O., contracts signed and rehearsals begun. Since then Columbus has ever been the home, and headquarters are maintained at 50 Broad Street. The first performance occurred at Marion, O., Oct 6, 1886, and each year on that date in whatsoever city the company happened to be Mr. Field has tendered the members of the troup and invited guests a banquet in celebration. It has been his proud boast that the company has never suffered a losing season and that a financial promise has never been broken. Therefore, this year's banquet will be more of a gala event than ordinarily, and the invitation list has been nationwide in its scope. Theatrical and business men, newspaper men and members of the original company have been bid and many will travel hundreds of miles to attend. Acceptances are coming in by the dozen and the Southern press is taking a lively interest in the feast.

It has been the desire of Mr. Field that many of the members of the first troup as alive could be present. In this connection it interesting to note the familiar names upon roster and to learn what has become of them.

Al. G. Field remains at the head of the company. But one other of the first company is still with the troup, and this is Joe Hatfield, who has been in the employ of the show for nearly twenty-four years. Doc Knott, a nephew of the celebrated Proctor Knott, the press agent, died a few years ago in Louisville, Ky. G. P. Campbell, the general agent died in South America while in the United States consular service. Ellis Kerr, the treasurer, is the manager of the Enterprise Printing and Engraving Company, Columbus, O. Chas Sweeny, the stage manager, is the manager of the John Robinson Circus and will be present at the twenty-third banquet. Lewis Kerr, the band leader, accumulated property in New Castle, Pa. and died there a year ago a wealthy man. Charles Graham, the vocal director, author of the popular songs of a decade ago, "If Waters Could Speak as They Flow" and "Two Little Girls in Blue" died in New York City.

Of the comedians, Lew Spencer died in Chicago; John Russell died in Pittsburgh; Harry Bulger is still in the harness with Col. Henry W. Savage; George Jenkins has a large grocery establishment in Columbus, O.; Billy Casey died in San Francisco; Larry and Matt of the Diamond Brothers are dead and Lew lives in retirement in New Castle, Pa.

Of the singers, George White, the baritone, has a large hotel in Coney Island and is a millionaire; John Graham is with the Savage Opera company; Carl Richmond is singing in the Michigan Avenue Baptist Church, Chicago, and is teaching vocal music; Harry Pearce has become a legitimate actor and is with Brewster's Millions; Gus Lambregger, the property man, is the proprietor of Lambregger's Zoo and is wealthy. William Junkers, the baritone, is the manager of the Hurdy Gurdy Girl company.

In its twenty-three years of history the company has more than doubled numerically and is one of the most traveled troups on the road. Last season the tour aggregated 26,422 miles, the longest continuous movement being 1,000 miles, from Denver to Chicago, and the shortest, four miles, from Wheeling to Bellaire. It has been estimated that the company on the whole has traveled a distance more than equal to twenty times the circumference of the globe.

Performers