Springdale Cemetery
Oak Hill

William Hale was a soldier
in the War of 1812 and
was elected as the first mayor of Peoria. (see
bio)
(Dec. 07, 1783 - Nov. 25, 1859)
Hannah Hale, wife of
William Hale
(Oct. 10, 1817 - Jun. 05, 1883)

Mary Twitchell died Sep.
14, 1847 Age 67 yr 6 mo 14 da
A plaque is at the foot of the tombstone which states:
"True daughter placed by the Peoria chapter of the Daughters of the American
Revolution 1984"
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HEDLEY WAYCOTT, LANDSCAPE Artist Dies at 73 Years.
The Artistic Endeavor of City Revolved Around Him for Half Century.
Hedley Waycott, 218
Wisconsin Avenue, the artist best represented on the walls of Peoria homes, died
at 6:15 a. m. Sunday in Methodist hospital after several years of illness. He
was 73 years old.
Best known for his landscapes, many of which depict the
Illinois scene in gorgeous color and with exquisite balance, the self-taught
painter symbolized art in Peoria and his name had been connected with artistic
endeavor here for 57 years. Not a family but is proud of the Hedley Waycott
painting that adds distinction to some room. Probably no other individual had
contributed so much as he to the growth of art-mindedness in this city.
Greatest achievements of the kindly artist was the
hanging of his picture, "The Artistry of Snow," by the National Academy of
Design several years ago. Painted from the window of his home studio, it showed
a gnarled old cherry tree blanketed by falling snow.
Mr. Waycott had been in ill health for several years
and had undergone two serious goiter operations some time ago. Somewhat
recovered, he had had two other major operations within the last year or so and
had spent considerable time in the hospital.
HAD ART SHOP
Born Feb. 9, 1865,
in England, he had served an apprenticeship in London to a gold and silversmith,
and in 1882 came with his family to Peoria to work at his trade.
The boy of 17, however, was laughed at by local
jewelers when he applied for work as an expert goldsmith and so secured a
position in Newkirk's Art Shop at 421 Main street, site of the Present Palace
theatre.
Later he became a Partner in the shop, and upon Mr.
Newkirk's death he took over the business, operating it for 20 years as Waycott
& Co.
He met his wife, the former Miss Louise Ann McFadden,
also in the 400 block Main Street, where her father conducted a bakery shop. The
couple was married May 10, 1887, marking their golden anniversary last spring.
Unusually devoted and considerate of each other, they were spoken of by all
their friends as one of the happiest married couples in the city.
TALENTED ASSOCIATES
In the back room of
Mr. Waycott's art store there met a talented group of young Peoria men, who
called themselves the Peoria Sketch club and went on regular sketching trips in
the countryside near here. Among them were the late artist, Grant Wright, Carl
Pehl and Charles Lambert, besides Mr. Waycott himself. Their exhibits were hung
at the shop until later the public library provided exhibition space for their
shows.
Following his business career, Mr. Waycott devoted
himself to his art. With his wife he had traveled 37 states, always painting.
His earlier still life work and pastels gave way entirely to landscapes in later
years, and his canvases were hung in many exhibits.
MEMBER OF ACADEMY
He was a member of
the American Federation of Arts and of the National Academy of Design and is
listed in the American and European Blue Books of Artists, Over 800 of his
pictures have been sold and are hung throughout this country and in Europe.
Even in his last illness Mr. Waycott continued to
paint, working for a short while each morning. His last canvas, completed last
week, is an early evening scene in blue tones, showing the reflection of the
moon in
tree-bordered water.
Notable among his works on public view here are the
mantel paintings at the Y. W. C. A. and at Constance Memorial Hall, Bradley
Women's dormitory.
He restored the murals in the Peoria public library
three years ago. He was well known also, for the excellent picture framing he
did, all his frames being designed especially for the pictures they held, and
each a fine piece of craftsmanship.
FUNERAL WEDNESDAY
Surviving are his
wife and a sister, Miss Belle Waycott, Of Proctor Endowment home. A daughter,
Lucile, preceded her father in death. Services in his memory will be conducted
at First Federated Church, Madison avenue at Jackson street, at 2 o'clock
Wednesday afternoon by the Rev. Arthur L. McLaughlin of Ames, la., formerly of
First Congregational Church here.
Interment will be in the Springdale Cemetery. [There
was also a nice large picture on the page that Hedley had painted. Caption read
"Painted by Dean of Peoria Artists" Under the picture it reads: Typical of much
of the work of Hedley Waycott, dean of Peoria artists who died Sunday at the age
of 73 years, in this
canvas, "Old Mill at Spring Bay, " which was shown in an exhibit here three
years ago. Quiet waters, beautiful foliage and exquisite balance are "trade
marks" of his many landscape paintings.
A copy in my possession... Anna Pinkerton Richards] (THE
PEORIA MORNING STAR, Sunday, Feb. 20, 1938, submitted by Anna Richards)
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
HEDLEY W. WAYCOTT DIES, WORLD FAMED AS ARTIST
The skilled hands
of Hedley W. Waycott, Peoria artist whose landscapes of Central Illinois brought
him acclaim throughout the world, were stilled in death today.
Mr. Waycott, winner of numerous awards in this country
and in Europe and a resident here for more than half a century, passed away at
6:15 o'clock yesterday morning at Methodist Hospital. He was 73 years old and
had been in ill health for several years. His residence was at 218 Wisconsin
Ave.
FUNERAL WEDNESDAY
Funeral services
will be conducted at 2 o'clock Wednesday afternoon at the Second Presbyterian
Church, Jackson St. and North Madison Ave. The Rev. Arthur L. McLaughlin of
Ames, Iowa, former pastor of First Congregational church of Peoria will
officiate. Burial will be in Springdale Cemetery.
From noon Wednesday until the hour of the services the
body will lie in state at the church. Friends may call from 5 p. m. today until
Wednesday noon at the Gauss chapel.
A member of the American Federation of Arts and of the
National Academy, Mr. Waycott is listed in the American and European Blue Books
of Artists and had sold more than 800 pictures which are now hung in all parts
of the United States and in many places in Europe. He was brilliant in
delineating natural scenes and was most successful in the oil technique. Mr.
Waycott never had an art lesson, his talent being natural.
CAME FROM ENGLAND
Mr. Waycott came
from Coroham, England, where he had learned the engraving profession. He moved
to Peoria with his family in 1882. On May 10, 1887, he married Miss Louise Ann
McFadden. They celebrated their golden wedding anniversary last year. Mr.
Waycott was proprietor of a Main St. art store,
Waycott & Co., for 20 years.
For 67 years Mr. Waycott labored diligently and
sincerely. His colorful landscapes won acclaim in the most exclusive exhibits
and were an inspiration to talented young amateurs who sought advice and
guidance. His paintings depict the beauties of nature with ethereal quality and
were with ethereal quality and were said by critics to be the fullest harmony
and the most exquisite balance.
LANDSCAPES LOCAL SCENES
Mr. Waycott
presented murals to the Peoria Y. W. C. A. and to Constance Hall of Bradley
campus. Three of his paintings hang in the home of a missionary in India. His
landscapes are mostly local scenes, though he and his wife traveled throughout
the county for material.
His art shop was the foundation for the Peoria Art
club. Mr. Waycott never conducted classes preferring to "just paint and paint."
He began his career with still like work, did pastels for a while, but devoted
most of his time to landscapes.
Chiefly responsible for the artist's success, friends
say, was the complete harmony and understanding between him and Mrs. Waycott. It
was her love and devotion which was the source of strength and inspiration for
his work.
Besides the widow, a sister, Miss Catherine Waycott of
Peoria survives. A daughter Lucile preceded her father in death.
(THE PEORIA JOURNAL-TRANSCRIPT, Monday, Feb. 21, 1938, submitted
by Anna Richards)

Picture supplied with second obituary
submitted by J. Crandell
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Updated February 19, 2005