Andrew J. Conner, one of the members of Captain Johnson’s band, also became a distinguished composer and teacher of music.  Mr. Conner taught the piano forte in the best families in the city of Philadelphia—­among merchants, bankers, and professional men.  He contributed to the popular literary Magazines of the day, and very many who have read in Graham’s and other literary issues, “Music composed by A.J.  Conner,” did not for a moment think that the author was a colored gentleman.  Mr. Conner died in Philadelphia in 1850.

James Ulett, formerly of New York, became quite celebrated a few years since, as a comedian.  He played several times in the old “Richmond Hill” Theatre, and quite successfully in Europe.  Mr. Ulett was not well educated, and consequently, labored under considerable inconvenience in reading, frequently making grammatical blunders, as the writer noticed in a private rehearsal, in 1836, in the city of New York.  He, however, possessed great intellectual powers, and his success depended more upon that, than his accuracy in reading.  Of course, he was a great delineator of character, which being the principal feature in a comedian, his language was lost sight of in common conversation.  Mr. Ulett died in New York a few years ago.

Doctor Lewis G. Wells was a most talented orator and man of literary qualifications.  Residing in Baltimore, Maryland, he raised himself high in the estimation of all who knew him.  He studied medicine, and was admitted into the Washington Medical College, attending the regular courses, and would have graduated, but for some misunderstanding between himself and the professors, which prevented it.  He was a most successful practitioner, and effected more cures during the prevalence of the cholera in 1832, than any other physician in the city.  Doctor Wells was also a most successful practical phrenologist, and lectured to large and fashionable houses of the first class ladies and gentlemen of Baltimore, and other cities.  Being a great wit, he kept his audiences in uproars of laughter.  Mr. Wells was also an ordained minister of the Gospel, belonging to the white Methodist connexion; and was author of several productions, among them, a large Methodist hymn book, containing several fine original poems.  Dr. Wells died the same year of cholera, after successfully saving many others, because there was no physician at that time who understood the treatment of the disease.

XV

FARMERS AND HERDSMEN

Little need be said about farmers; there are hundreds of them in all parts of the country, especially in the Western States; still these may not be considered of a conspicuous or leading character—­albeit, they are contributing largely to the wants of community, and wealth of the country at large.  Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Iowa, Illinois, and Indiana, all, are largely represented by the farming interests of colored men.  We shall name but a sufficient number to show the character of their enterprise in this department of American industry.