The Washington herald., 1909-02-15
JOHN 4. SMALL DEAD
Pioneer Florist Stricken at
Home in Brentwood Road
WAS A NATIVE OF ENGLAND
Maternal Grandfather Was welsh
Landscape Gardener, an Authority
on the SubIecf-Born In 1926 and
Came to America In Is4s-saw Much
of Queen Victoria and Iron Duke.

John H Small. pioneer florist Of Wash
ington, died at his country place. in the
Brentwood road. yesterday. O. the age
OF eighty-two years
Mr. Small was born IN Watford Eng
land. in 1s2f His horticultural taste came
by inheritAnee through both lines OF IN
oestry. His paternal grandfather owned
a nursery In Colabro0k. England. and
for years leased CIiveden, present
estate OF Mr. ". ". Astor, on part OF
which he conducted nursery. in con-
nection with MS Colnbrook business. His
maternal grandfather. Roberts. was a
Welsh landscape gardener, an authority
Oh this subject II was 10 him the first
Duchess OF Marlborough, while planning
Blenheim. went for advice.
His Early Trimming.
Mr.. Small received his early training
at the hands OF his grandfather, later
finishing his course at Frogmore. Wind
sor. ana Kew Gardens While a Frog
more he saw much Of the early married
life OF Queen Victoria. and the childhood
Of the present King Of England. He also
had vivid recollection OF the Duke OF
Wellington. the hero of Waterloo.
Ar. Small came TO America in IsN. with
the intention Of making landscape garden
ing-for which he had been trained-hiz
life work. In Philadelphia be learned
that Nh LinthiCUm, Of Cse0rgetoun
wished 10 procure the services OF a land
scape gardener He obtained this posi-
ton and remained IN Mr. LlnthlcuIn's en-
ploy until lsS4. when he went into busl-
ness Tor himself. HIS hanIiwCrk vas
manifested IN the shaping OF the land
scape architecture OF many OF TIE estates
IN and about Washington in his early
career.
Mr.. Small not only had the distinction
oi being the pioneer floral decorator OF
Washington, but to him belongs the
honor OF having brought about the use
OF natural flowers for table decorations
n this country. When Lord Lyon was
British Minister 10 this country. he was
q social leader and a lavish entertainer.
lie used FOR table decoration feather
flowers and wax fruits. At 8fr. SmaIrs
solicitation he abolished taA feather
flowers AID wax fruits. substituting the
natural. return 70 the old English fash
ion.
Career in Georgetown.
IN his early career his business was
located in Georgetown. IN the year 1857
a more central location became urgent.
and he removed to Fourteenth and G
streets. IN the last forty years he was
brought into contact with most OF the
celebrities who have visited or made
the National Capital their home. As his
sons reached matrrity. they became as
sociated with Mr.. Small IN HIS business
enterprises. some ten years ago he with
drew from active participation IN bust
ness directing his energies 20 horticul-
tural pursuits sf his country place IN
the Brentwood road. Nine years ego he
had a mild stroke OF aPp0piexy. which.
for tine. incapacitated him for active
pursuits From this date he had been
more or less an invalid
Mr.. Small was a genial man, q sunny
disposition, kind 20 all. and readily ex-
tended a helping hand He leaves wife
and nine children