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Description: Leo Wheat’s Death Page 6
Date: March 25 1915Newspaper published in: Washington, D. C.
Washington Times March 25, 1915 Leo Wheat’s Death Page 6
LEO WHEAT IS DEAD; WAS NOTED MUSICIAN
Class Mate and Intimate Friend of Sir Arthur Sullivan Succumbs Here.
Leo WHEAT, classmate and intimate friend of Sir Arthur SULLIVAN, the English composer, and at one time one of the best known musicians in the South, died early today in a hospital here. He was seventy-four years old, and during the later years of his life was a familiar and well-loved figure in musical circles about the National Capital.
Mr. WHEAT was born in Memphis, Tenn., May 5, 1841, and was the son of the late Rev. J. T. WHEAT, an Episcopal minister and for years also professor of English at the University of North Carolina, where the former was educated. One of his brothers was Major Roberdeau WHEAT, who commanded the Louisiana Tigers, of Confederate fame.
Mr. WHEAT was one of the most renowned musicians of the South. He received his musical education at Leipzig, Germany, where his friendship with Sir Arthur SULLIVAN began.
After his return to this country Mr. WHEAT was identified with Theodore THOMAS. He was also a composer of note, and many homes in the South to this day have his compositions. Mr. WHEAT rendered many of these in concert, especially in the South, of which he was a product and which he loved.
For a number of years Mr. WHEAT was the organist at the Monumental Church at Richmond, Va. In 1872 he married Miss Florence ALLEN, of that city, who, with six children, three sons and three daughters, survive.