53 
Thomas Meehan, gardener, nurseryman, professor of botany, 
traveller, writer, editor, scientist, and public benefactor. 
Indeed, so active was he, so varied his gifts, so great his 
services, that I hardly know how to present him, as nothing 
short of a book is sufficient to place him, as he deserves to be 
placed. Upon several occasions attempts were made to start 
a movement to place a memorial to him in "Vernon Park, 
but as yet nothing in the shape of a permanent memorial has 
resulted. We now refer to it to keep the matter alive, for 
Germantown owes it to him, and one day I doubt not it will 
be given. Thomas Meehan was born in London, England, 
March 21, 1826. At the age of 19 he entered Kew Gardens, 
London, where he spent two years. Shortly after leaving 
Kew, he decided to emigrate, and reached America, March 
22, 1848, where he stopped one year as foreman with 
Robert Buist. 
Upon leaving Rosedale Nurseries, he entered the em- 
ploy of Andrew Eastwick, who lived in, and owned the 
celebrated "Bartram Garden." After being three years at 
this place, Thomas Meehan became gardener to Caleb Cope, 
and while in his employ succeeded in flowering Victoria 
Regia, his blooms being the first produced in the United 
States. Having decided to start in business, he in the year 
1854 established in Germantown, and in Ambler, nurseries 
having for their specialty the growing of native shrubs and 
trees. The business in Germantown was conducted upon 
Main Street opposite "Carpenters," and in association with 
William Saunders. This business increased to such an extent, 
that the Hong and Hortter farms on Chew Street were 
purchased, and the nursery there removed. To these farms 
other acres were added, and a branch for the growing of 
"stock" for wholesale orders was established at Dreshertown, 
Pa. The nursery soon became one of the largest, and it 
enjoys the distinction of being the best-known nursery in 
America, — its produce being shipped to every part of the 
world. The development of business however, was but a 
small part, and the least important part of the work of 
