Born in Illinois, and received his theatrical education and started his stage career there.
His Vaudeville career which spanned thirty one years with a short screen career with Universal. Teaming up with a good friend.Hap Ward Together they were known as "Ward And Volkes". They lived for a long time in Boston, Massachusetts where they could preform in larger theaters. They did over twenty nine stage performaces. Harry remained in Boston and "Hap"(John Thomas O'Donnell)went back to Philadelphia after their careers were through. Harry spent much of his time in Massachusetts. After he left the acting career behind he settled in Lynn, Mass. He died from burns which he received as a pump tender in Everett,Massachusetts. He was buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden, Massachusetts.
HARRY VOKES IS KILLED IN AN EXPLOSION
Was Son of Late Thomas. Laughlin and Well Known on Stage. A telegram was received from Everett, Mass., Saturday, brought the distressing news of the violent death in an explosion of Harry Laughlin, born and reared in Quincy, and known in the theatrical profession and to the general public as Harry Vokes, of the well known team of comedians, Ward and Vokes. The message was received by his stepmother, 'Mrs. Myra Laughlin, who was prostrated by the news, having been in delicate health for sometime. Mrs. Laughlin had only recently returned from a visit to her stepson, who was also her nephew, and told of his pressing invitation to have her make her permanent home with him in the East. She preferred, however, she said, to be among her old friends in Qulncy. No further particulars of the fatal accident have been received here, and it is presumed the funeral will take place in Everett, a suburb of Boston. which has been the home of Mr. Laughlin for some years past. Harry Laughlin was born in this city, 55 years ago and was the son of the late Thomas B. Laughlin one of the foremost postoffice inspectors In the country. As a youth he attended the Webster and High schools, but early in life evidenced a decided taste for arobatics and the stage. His home was at 1011 Hampshire street, and next door resided Charles Morehead, who had gained some reputation as vocalist and song writer of the professional class, and this may have had something to do with shaping his stage career. John Ahern, former chief of of police, was at that time a well known acrobat, having been out with the W W Cole circus. In Ahern back yard he did his training when not on the road, and here the boys of the neighborhood congregated nightly, young Laughlin among them. Ahern taught him a number of acrobatic stunts as well as tricks on the bars. In 1886, Ahern had a contract with the John B. Doris shows and took young Laughlin with him. The latter "clowned" the bars and did ground and lofty tumbling, becoming very proficient. It was near the close of the Doris season that he met Happy Ward, who was destined to be his professional partner so long is they remained on the stage. They secured an engagement at one of the outlying vaudeville houses In New York, where an agent for Tony Pastor discovered them and placed them for a run at Pastor's Fourteenth street house. They where an instantaneous hit in their sketch called Percy and Harold, which became a byword in New York. They continued in vaudeville for several years when a shrewd theatrical manager saw the possibilities of this team at the head of a muscial comedy, and they were signed up for a term of years. During this time they appeared in "A Bunchs of Pinks" and number of other comedies, playing to enormous business in the larger cities. The partners had married sisters, Lavinia and May Daily, the latter becoming the wife of Vokes. She died 13 years ago, six years latter he married again. There are two sons by his second wife. Thomas and James. He retired from the stage several years ago when theatrical business became bad, but it was said contemplated going out again in the near feature. The Quincy Daily Journal, Sunday, April 16, 1922; Page: 3
His Vaudeville career which spanned thirty one years with a short screen career with Universal. Teaming up with a good friend.Hap Ward Together they were known as "Ward And Volkes". They lived for a long time in Boston, Massachusetts where they could preform in larger theaters. They did over twenty nine stage performaces. Harry remained in Boston and "Hap"(John Thomas O'Donnell)went back to Philadelphia after their careers were through. Harry spent much of his time in Massachusetts. After he left the acting career behind he settled in Lynn, Mass. He died from burns which he received as a pump tender in Everett,Massachusetts. He was buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden, Massachusetts.
HARRY VOKES IS KILLED IN AN EXPLOSION
Was Son of Late Thomas. Laughlin and Well Known on Stage. A telegram was received from Everett, Mass., Saturday, brought the distressing news of the violent death in an explosion of Harry Laughlin, born and reared in Quincy, and known in the theatrical profession and to the general public as Harry Vokes, of the well known team of comedians, Ward and Vokes. The message was received by his stepmother, 'Mrs. Myra Laughlin, who was prostrated by the news, having been in delicate health for sometime. Mrs. Laughlin had only recently returned from a visit to her stepson, who was also her nephew, and told of his pressing invitation to have her make her permanent home with him in the East. She preferred, however, she said, to be among her old friends in Qulncy. No further particulars of the fatal accident have been received here, and it is presumed the funeral will take place in Everett, a suburb of Boston. which has been the home of Mr. Laughlin for some years past. Harry Laughlin was born in this city, 55 years ago and was the son of the late Thomas B. Laughlin one of the foremost postoffice inspectors In the country. As a youth he attended the Webster and High schools, but early in life evidenced a decided taste for arobatics and the stage. His home was at 1011 Hampshire street, and next door resided Charles Morehead, who had gained some reputation as vocalist and song writer of the professional class, and this may have had something to do with shaping his stage career. John Ahern, former chief of of police, was at that time a well known acrobat, having been out with the W W Cole circus. In Ahern back yard he did his training when not on the road, and here the boys of the neighborhood congregated nightly, young Laughlin among them. Ahern taught him a number of acrobatic stunts as well as tricks on the bars. In 1886, Ahern had a contract with the John B. Doris shows and took young Laughlin with him. The latter "clowned" the bars and did ground and lofty tumbling, becoming very proficient. It was near the close of the Doris season that he met Happy Ward, who was destined to be his professional partner so long is they remained on the stage. They secured an engagement at one of the outlying vaudeville houses In New York, where an agent for Tony Pastor discovered them and placed them for a run at Pastor's Fourteenth street house. They where an instantaneous hit in their sketch called Percy and Harold, which became a byword in New York. They continued in vaudeville for several years when a shrewd theatrical manager saw the possibilities of this team at the head of a muscial comedy, and they were signed up for a term of years. During this time they appeared in "A Bunchs of Pinks" and number of other comedies, playing to enormous business in the larger cities. The partners had married sisters, Lavinia and May Daily, the latter becoming the wife of Vokes. She died 13 years ago, six years latter he married again. There are two sons by his second wife. Thomas and James. He retired from the stage several years ago when theatrical business became bad, but it was said contemplated going out again in the near feature. The Quincy Daily Journal, Sunday, April 16, 1922; Page: 3
Born in Illinois, and received his theatrical education and started his stage career there.
His Vaudeville career which spanned thirty one years with a short screen career with Universal. Teaming up with a good friend.Hap Ward Together they were known as "Ward And Volkes". They lived for a long time in Boston, Massachusetts where they could preform in larger theaters. They did over twenty nine stage performaces. Harry remained in Boston and "Hap"(John Thomas O'Donnell)went back to Philadelphia after their careers were through. Harry spent much of his time in Massachusetts. After he left the acting career behind he settled in Lynn, Mass. He died from burns which he received as a pump tender in Everett,Massachusetts. He was buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden, Massachusetts.
HARRY VOKES IS KILLED IN AN EXPLOSION
Was Son of Late Thomas. Laughlin and Well Known on Stage. A telegram was received from Everett, Mass., Saturday, brought the distressing news of the violent death in an explosion of Harry Laughlin, born and reared in Quincy, and known in the theatrical profession and to the general public as Harry Vokes, of the well known team of comedians, Ward and Vokes. The message was received by his stepmother, 'Mrs. Myra Laughlin, who was prostrated by the news, having been in delicate health for sometime. Mrs. Laughlin had only recently returned from a visit to her stepson, who was also her nephew, and told of his pressing invitation to have her make her permanent home with him in the East. She preferred, however, she said, to be among her old friends in Qulncy. No further particulars of the fatal accident have been received here, and it is presumed the funeral will take place in Everett, a suburb of Boston. which has been the home of Mr. Laughlin for some years past. Harry Laughlin was born in this city, 55 years ago and was the son of the late Thomas B. Laughlin one of the foremost postoffice inspectors In the country. As a youth he attended the Webster and High schools, but early in life evidenced a decided taste for arobatics and the stage. His home was at 1011 Hampshire street, and next door resided Charles Morehead, who had gained some reputation as vocalist and song writer of the professional class, and this may have had something to do with shaping his stage career. John Ahern, former chief of of police, was at that time a well known acrobat, having been out with the W W Cole circus. In Ahern back yard he did his training when not on the road, and here the boys of the neighborhood congregated nightly, young Laughlin among them. Ahern taught him a number of acrobatic stunts as well as tricks on the bars. In 1886, Ahern had a contract with the John B. Doris shows and took young Laughlin with him. The latter "clowned" the bars and did ground and lofty tumbling, becoming very proficient. It was near the close of the Doris season that he met Happy Ward, who was destined to be his professional partner so long is they remained on the stage. They secured an engagement at one of the outlying vaudeville houses In New York, where an agent for Tony Pastor discovered them and placed them for a run at Pastor's Fourteenth street house. They where an instantaneous hit in their sketch called Percy and Harold, which became a byword in New York. They continued in vaudeville for several years when a shrewd theatrical manager saw the possibilities of this team at the head of a muscial comedy, and they were signed up for a term of years. During this time they appeared in "A Bunchs of Pinks" and number of other comedies, playing to enormous business in the larger cities. The partners had married sisters, Lavinia and May Daily, the latter becoming the wife of Vokes. She died 13 years ago, six years latter he married again. There are two sons by his second wife. Thomas and James. He retired from the stage several years ago when theatrical business became bad, but it was said contemplated going out again in the near feature. The Quincy Daily Journal, Sunday, April 16, 1922; Page: 3
His Vaudeville career which spanned thirty one years with a short screen career with Universal. Teaming up with a good friend.Hap Ward Together they were known as "Ward And Volkes". They lived for a long time in Boston, Massachusetts where they could preform in larger theaters. They did over twenty nine stage performaces. Harry remained in Boston and "Hap"(John Thomas O'Donnell)went back to Philadelphia after their careers were through. Harry spent much of his time in Massachusetts. After he left the acting career behind he settled in Lynn, Mass. He died from burns which he received as a pump tender in Everett,Massachusetts. He was buried in the Holy Cross Cemetery in Malden, Massachusetts.
HARRY VOKES IS KILLED IN AN EXPLOSION
Was Son of Late Thomas. Laughlin and Well Known on Stage. A telegram was received from Everett, Mass., Saturday, brought the distressing news of the violent death in an explosion of Harry Laughlin, born and reared in Quincy, and known in the theatrical profession and to the general public as Harry Vokes, of the well known team of comedians, Ward and Vokes. The message was received by his stepmother, 'Mrs. Myra Laughlin, who was prostrated by the news, having been in delicate health for sometime. Mrs. Laughlin had only recently returned from a visit to her stepson, who was also her nephew, and told of his pressing invitation to have her make her permanent home with him in the East. She preferred, however, she said, to be among her old friends in Qulncy. No further particulars of the fatal accident have been received here, and it is presumed the funeral will take place in Everett, a suburb of Boston. which has been the home of Mr. Laughlin for some years past. Harry Laughlin was born in this city, 55 years ago and was the son of the late Thomas B. Laughlin one of the foremost postoffice inspectors In the country. As a youth he attended the Webster and High schools, but early in life evidenced a decided taste for arobatics and the stage. His home was at 1011 Hampshire street, and next door resided Charles Morehead, who had gained some reputation as vocalist and song writer of the professional class, and this may have had something to do with shaping his stage career. John Ahern, former chief of of police, was at that time a well known acrobat, having been out with the W W Cole circus. In Ahern back yard he did his training when not on the road, and here the boys of the neighborhood congregated nightly, young Laughlin among them. Ahern taught him a number of acrobatic stunts as well as tricks on the bars. In 1886, Ahern had a contract with the John B. Doris shows and took young Laughlin with him. The latter "clowned" the bars and did ground and lofty tumbling, becoming very proficient. It was near the close of the Doris season that he met Happy Ward, who was destined to be his professional partner so long is they remained on the stage. They secured an engagement at one of the outlying vaudeville houses In New York, where an agent for Tony Pastor discovered them and placed them for a run at Pastor's Fourteenth street house. They where an instantaneous hit in their sketch called Percy and Harold, which became a byword in New York. They continued in vaudeville for several years when a shrewd theatrical manager saw the possibilities of this team at the head of a muscial comedy, and they were signed up for a term of years. During this time they appeared in "A Bunchs of Pinks" and number of other comedies, playing to enormous business in the larger cities. The partners had married sisters, Lavinia and May Daily, the latter becoming the wife of Vokes. She died 13 years ago, six years latter he married again. There are two sons by his second wife. Thomas and James. He retired from the stage several years ago when theatrical business became bad, but it was said contemplated going out again in the near feature. The Quincy Daily Journal, Sunday, April 16, 1922; Page: 3
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