FATHER LAWRENCE M. MEEHAN, is becoming widely and favorably known as the efficient assistant of Father Farrelly, the old and highly esteemed rector of St. Michael’s Church, Galena, with which he has been connected since 1868. The subject of this sketch has taken a decided stand on the side of progress and education, and it is everywhere conceded that St. Michael’s has under its wing the schools which are conducted after the best known methods of instruction.

Soon after coming to his charge, Father Meehan applied himself to his task of awakening the better class of people to the necessity of a High School building. The few hundred dollars which he at first laboriously secured, were soon augmented by funds sufficient to commence the projected structure and the first excavation for its foundation, was made March 25, 1886. On Christmas Day following it was ready for occupation. It is an ornament not only to the city but to the county, being finely located on Bench street, and occupying an area of 100 x 54 feet, two stories in height with a solid stone basement. The first floor is arranged into study-rooms and occupied by 250 pupils under the in-struction of four intelligent Dominican Sisters of the Church. A general supervision of the school is given by Father Meehan, he also teaches classes in the classics and sciences, etc. The school-rooms are equipped with all modern conveniences, maps, charts, etc., and the system of study is graded, taking in all the branches necessary to preparation for college. The Annunciation School, as it has become familiarly known, was so named on account of the structure having been commenced on the feast of the Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and hence dedicated to her honor, has an academic department, giving a three-years’ course, including the higher Mathematics, Rhetoric, Belles-lettres, Book-keeping, Commercial Law, Latin, and the Sciences. Before entering this the pupil passes through a three-years’ course in the grammar department, including a thorough knowledge of the higher Arithmetic, United States History, Descriptive and Physical Geography, Grammar, and Composition; and the pupils are fitted for this by a two-years’ course in the Intermediate, and two years in the Kindergarten.

The upper story of this building comprises a fine hall, with a stage 28 x 52 feet deep – the width of the building, fitted up with all conveniences for dramatic and other performances, having seven complete sets of scenery, and an elegantly painted drop-curtain. In all the appointments of the building Father Meehan has had a general super-vision, and great credit is due him for the superior manner in which it has been finished and equipped. He has many friends outside his own parish who acknowledge his worth as a man and a citizen. His undoubted talent in connection with the duties of his priestly office is a guarantee of a bright and useful career.

A native of the Emerald Isle, Father Meehan was born in County Limerick, Oct. 23, 1855, of respectable Irish parentage. He came to America in his boyhood days and was educated in the classics at the college of Notre Dame University. His ecclesiastical studies were pursued at St. Mary’s Catholic University in the city of Baltimore, Md., where he was ordained June 3, 1882, by Cardinal Gibbons, for the Archdiocese of Chicago. Later he was the associate rector of St. Gabriel’s Church, corner of Wallace and 45th streets, Chicago, Ill., with which he was associated three years. At the expiration of this time he came to Galena, where he bids fair to make an enviable record. A fine engraving of the school above mentioned, appears on the adjoining page.

Contributed by Carol Parrish - From Portraits and Biographical Pg 615