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years of his life were given to the improvement of the Public 
School System of Pennsylvania. It was he who introduced 
"Nature Study" and "Kindergartens" to our Public Schools, 
and the care and elevation of negro children received his best 
attention. In recognition of this a Germantown school is 
named in his honor. He was the organizer and constant 
champion of the small parks movement, and by his direct 
efforts secured "Bartram," Vernon," and other small parks 
to the city. He was the founder of "The Commercial 
Museum." 
While doing these great works, he was "State Botanist" 
of Pennsylvania, teacher of the "Ladies' Botany Class," a 
local institution which met at his home once a week, and 
lecturer to the Germantown Horticultural Society. He 
projected new streets and named them, introduced brick for 
the paving of streets, and took under his personal oversight 
every public school in Germantown. In all his multifarious 
works he was above suspicion, and he lived and died an 
"honest man." 
In works he was "most abundant," and but a few hours 
before he died, he dictated an ordinance for a public school 
he thought necessary. May Germantown long revere him, 
and may his "good works" be held in remembrance until 
appreciation be no more. Connected with "Meehan's 
Nurseries" is a gifted group of plant specialists and writers. 
Among those composing it who should be named are 
Edward J. Canning, Ernest Hemming, Edwin Matthews, 
S. Newman Baxter, Warren J. Chandler, Thomas B. Meehan, 
J. Franklin Meehan, Robert J. Cridland, Edward Meehan, 
superintendent of the nurseries; Joseph Meehan, an authority 
upon shrubs and trees, and S. Mendelson Meehan, asso- 
ciated with his father in the publication of "Meehan's 
Monthly," founder and editor of "Floral Life," founder and 
publisher of "Meehan's Garden Bulletin," also founder of 
"The Meehan Horticultural Society," a private institution 
conducted for the benefit of the employees of Meehan's 
Nurseries. 
