The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-06-10
OBIT U AIRY.
HARRY EDWARDS.


BY telegraph we Learn the dolefuI fact
that Mr.. Henry Edwards, an OId-schOOl
actor OF good ability, who had endeared
himself 10 The people OF san Francisco
sons thirty or more years ago died IN New
York on the moruing of June 9th inst. The pa r
ticuars OF bis Illness aud ITS cause are not given
Mr.. Edwards, IL may be added not only won the
esteem Of the old-lime thedter-goers OF tins
city by his histriOnic attainment. but also by
his literary and scientific requirements, his
courteous demeanor and general bearing as
gentleman. lie was a welcome guest, as we'll as
an ornament. to our highest and most s-leet so.
cial circles and during his long residence In this
city The malustay of the Bohemian Club of
which lie was one of the founders. General re-
gret was expressed by all classes OF citizens
when professional changes aud necessities led
him TO change his scene OF action from San
FfanciscO 10 New York He was one of the last
of the old California stock company 10 depart,
and II may be truly said that the Sundering OF the
many Ties formed IN this State caused him the
most profound SORROW.
SKETCH OF HIS CAREER.
Mr.. Edwards was born Ia Bristol, England,
September 3, 1924. His first start in life was In
connection with the dry-gOOds business, Mr..
Walter Montgomery and himself being fellow
clerks I'm the same establishment, and both, as
with fOndness Tor the stage. They soon quit
the atmosphere Of the drapers shop and entered
on the profession that had Won their hearts.
This was al the time when Nj. Edwards was
about "a years Of age He went 10 Australia
under engagement TO the Hon. George Coppin, a
leading manager IN the colonies at the lime, 10
V BROOKE,
first appearance 10 Melbourne. playing with
Brooke. doing general utility business, with un-
varying success. Tie cOlouials thought quite as
much of him in the earlier years of his stage life
MS the CalifOrnians did when lie appeared among
Them after time aud experience had ripened him.
As we knew him MIR. Edwards best line was
dlgnitied old men, but he has played Mark An
tony and Sir Peter TeaZle In a manner TO win the
waTmest critical eneomium. lie act d Antony
TO the Cassie OF Barrett. The Casca of Edwin
Adams and the BruiuS Of Mccullough. Some of
our readers may also remember him in Sir Toby
Belch TO The MalVOO of Mr.. Barton HUI.
IN CALIFORNIA.
Mr.. Edwards came To this State In 1867, reach.
Ing San Francisco by a roundabout route via
Valparaiso. With him came Mr.. Harry Jack SON
a good low comedian and stage manager, and
the Misses COrcoran. who were his prOteges IN
dramatic art. One OF these young ladies' Julia,
subsequently married Er. Edward j. Buckley
the ACTOR and is Sill living; the younger sister
married out of the profession. Mr.. Edwards first
association was with Manager Thomas Mcguire,
who was then known as the Napoleon of the
Stage IN California, aud owned and conducted
the Washington-street Opera House. Then, 10
company with Mr.. II. NJ. Bates, a few years after
ward Killed IN Australia, aud Mr.. James Vnson,
since dead In New York, he undertook the man.
aGement of tie Metropolitan Theater on Mont
geometry street. 1hiS enterprise mad q very brief
existence. although during its continuance
many good plays local aud other, wer, placed
on the stage. When HE Barrett aud Mccullough
reign commenced at The old California Nj. Ed
wards Joined The stock company aud remained
there. as above stated, winning we'll deserved
laurels, I'LL matt was called In me fortunes OF
that house Then, after wandering about for
few years, lie settled down with the Wallack
stock company, aud when that too disbanded,
after Walack'S mSfOrtuneS and death, became
an actor at large again. Last year he returned
to Australia with a travelling company to play
the aristocratic father in Little Lord Fauntle-
roy" and he expressed an intention TO spend
the remainder Of his days In the land OF his first
dramatic love. But lie altered his mind and came
back 10 New York, where he has just under gone
the last great and final change.
IN THE WAY OF SCIENCE.
Mr.. Edwards was au entom0lo gIsI, and a most
enthusiastic one at that He commenced his
collection principally of the Lepidoptera and
COleoptera orders Of insects when lie was but
IA years OF age, and could show you butterflies
aud beetles from all parts OF The world classified
In the incest order. AT the time he was here he
valued this collection at Sl4. 600, and the Re.
gents OF the University OF California had agreed
To take 1t of his hands, with the additional agree
ment that lie was To be given the post OF curator
of The museum at u salary OF 5000 per month"; his
duties including correspondence with various
scientific societies abroad, In the exchange OF
specimens etc. The reason why this arrange
ment was not compile ed Is stated To be thai there
was some dsarranRement in the Endowment
Fund Of the college, aud the Regents were I'M
able to pay the money. Mr. Edwards thought he
had placed himself for life, aud his dIsappotnt.
ment was very keen. The collection was sbipped
to Boston. With Its subsequent history We are
not acquainted
FAMILY HISTORY.
Mr.. Edwards married the widow OF Gusiavus
Vaughn Brooke, who was hts dearest friend tor
many years, but a GOODNESS arose bel ween them
and existed at the time Brooke lost his life by
the laundering OF the Australian Steamship, Lon
don, In the Bay OF Blscay, January Ii, 1866.
Mr.. BroOke's son was reared by MIR. Edwards as
his own, ana adopted mining engineering as a
profession.