The tradition of the leading actor who ran his own touring company was a long-standing one in England, but less prevalent in the United States, although star actors certainly preferred to keep control over casting, rehearsal discipline, bookings, and salaries rather than leaving those decisions entirely to agents and company managers. When Edwin Booth and Lawrence Barrett toured together as costars in 1887-1889, Barrett took on the management function in addition to playing opposite Booth.
The Historical Dictionary of the American Theater. James Fisher.