Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1865-04-26
Biography.
JOHN WILKES BOOTH.
From The New York Clipper.J

, son of the celebrated tragedian, Junius
Brutus Booth, and was born on the farm
of the family near the city of Baltimore,
Nd, in 1888. He was named after J ohm
Wilkes, the great radical English politi-
clan, wbolived during the reign ofGeorge
the Third, and from whom the saying,
"Wilkes and Liberty" originated. He
has three brothers and two sisters, Junius
Brutus, lately performing in Cincinnati
Edwin f., Joseph, Rosalie, (nOw wife of
John S. Clarke,) and another sister
His mother "a second wife of the great
tragedian,) has been living in this city,
but left for Washington on the morning
of the 18th inst. When very young he
was anxious to adopt the stage as pro-
fession, and was constantly mixed up
with amateur theatricals. When John
S. Clarke (now Mr.. Booths brother-in-
law was fulfilling an engagement at the
St. Charles Theatre, Baltimore, in 1855,
he persuaded Mr.. Clarke to allow him to
make his appearance on the stage, and
he accordingly made his debut as Rich
mond, in Orchard the Third" He was
favorably received and gave promise of
future excellence. He appeared on the
stage at stated intervals for about two
years. On the 18th of August, 1857, he
became a regular member of the old Arch
street Theatre company at Philadelphia,
and MADE his frstapPearance there under
the assumed name Of John Wilkes as
Second Mask in "Belle's Stratagem, "
and remained at that theater during the
season. His reason for changing his
name from Booth to Wilkes was because
he was doubtful as to his meeting with
that success which bis ambition had pie
turod for him also, to keep the name of
Booth from anything but brilliant sue
cess. During the season ne appeared in
variety Of characters and became a
general faycrite with the audience TIE
next season-1S520-he uended his
way down South-became a member Of
the Richmond (VaD Theatre, and SO
rapid was his progress in the dramatic
art that we find him playing some of
ShakesT elres most prominent chsracters.
He became one of the greatest fayoritcs
in the theatre. At the commencement
Of the season of 18G0-6l, he started out
on a starring tour, visiting nearly al the
principal cities in the South and South
west, playing Romeo, Macbeth and all
the leading TRACED parts. His first star
engagement was in September, 1860, at
the Columbus (Ga) Theatre, under the
management Of Matt Canning. While
performing this engagement he was acci-
IDENTIFY shot in the rear by the manager,
who was handling a small revolver at the
time. On March 31st, 1862, he made
his bow in New York at Wallack's old
Theatre, and appeared one week. He
met with a hearty welcome, and was
looked upon as a very clever tragedian.
From this time up to the commence
ment of the season of I864-5 he fulfilled
star engagements throughout the country.
When the season of 1864 closed he re-
tired from the stage and speculated very
extensively the oil regions and amassed
great amout of money. His retirement
was owing to bronchial affection, which
was so painful that he could not act. On
the occasion of the benefit given for the
Shakespeare monument fund at the
Winter Garden on November 23d, 1864,
he, in company with his two brothers,
Edwin and Junius, appeared in Julius
Caesar" J. Wilkes Booth playing Mare
Antony, and won considerable applause
for the excellent rendition of the role
This occasion and his one week at Wal
lacks Old Theatre were the only times
he ever appeared il this city Mr.
Booths last appearance on the stage
was at Ford Theatre, Washington, as
Pescara, in Shields tragedy of "The
Apostate,' for the benefit of John Me-
Cullough, six weeks ago As an actor,
Mr. Booth was no common genius. He
had the natural advantages of a good
figure, musically full and rich voice of
rare compass and modulation, a face that
always takes with an audience, and an
eye that expresses Tenderness and love,
malice and hate, pleasure and sorrow, as
perfectly as the language he utters, or
the tone in which it is conveyed. His
frame was light, and he was of medium
height. He was also very nervous. He
had large beautiful black eye, a face
pale and impressive. Height, five feet
eight inches; weight, 160 pounds, and
when talking inclines his head forward
and looks down. His hair was jet black,
very long and bushy, and heavy black
moustache. His transitions were abso-
lutcly electrifying; and in this respect
there is a family resemblance between
him and his father. To these material