Springdale Cemetery
Oak Hill

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)

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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