File:Charles Callender (1831-1897) obituary in the Chicago Tribune of Chicago, Illinois on February 25, 1897.jpg

Father Of Colored Minstrelsy Dead. "Pop" Callender, Also the Originator of Negro Uncle Tom's Cabin Company, Dies Suddenly. "Pop" Callender, the father of negro minstrelsy, died suddenly of heart failure at Gleason's Hotel, No. 12 Quincy street, at 7:30 last evening. Two minutes before his death he was engaged in conversation with Ald. Gleason. The body was taken to Rolston's undertaking establishment. Today it will probably be shipped to the family home at Cromwell, where the widow and daughter of the veteran minstrel reside. Pop Charley Callender was known by every showman in America. He had been engaged in the theatrical business for thirty-five years, and his company was the first traveling troupe of colored, performers to invade Europe. Callender launched his first theatrical enterprise during the war. Following Lincoln's emancipation proclamation he secured the services of sixty colored people and the tour of the New England and Middle States. The condition of the North at the time made the negro specialty artists a great card, and several seasons followed, during which all of the principal cities in the country were visited. In 1668 Calender's Minstrels went to Europe and made a tour lasting three seasons. They returned to this country In 1871. On the first tour of America Chicago was included in the circuit and Charley Callender made his debut here in Nixon's amphitheater on Clinton street near Washington. A few years later Callender again visited Chicago, playing at a house near where McVicker's now stands. Callender also organized and put on the road the first colored Uncle Tom's Cabin company late in the 1870s. They immediately won public favor and four companies were put on the road. It was with these that Dan, Gus, and Charley Frohman first got their start. They were in advance of Callender's "Uncle Tom's Cabin" for several seasons previous to launching out in the theatrical business on their own account. Pop Callender had many friends in Chicago. Joe Martin, the North Side Democrat, was one of his closest friends. Last Sunday a private dinner was served at the Martin home. No. 190 North State street, in honor of Callender, and he was one of the liveliest guests at the board. By peculiar coincidence he stated at that time that if he ever died he wanted it to come quickly and without sickness.

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