Biographies H
Gilbert Dench Hemenway
Gilbert Dench Hemenway, Muhlenberg County, was born in the state of Massachusetts, on the 21st of September, 1826. He made his start in life when twelve years of age, worked in a wool factory for 33 cents a day, and boarded himself. This he continued for six years in the Simpson factory at Saxonville, Mass., after that was in a factory at Rock Bottom, Mass., for three years; then was superintendent of a carding factory at Fitchburg; afterward had charge of the cloth dressing departmentof the Coach-lace factory at Clinton, Mass., for two years, and for two years following had charge of the carding in a carpet factory at Assabett, Mass.; then went to Chattanooga, Tenn., and taught music for awhile, after which he operated a roll-card and flouring-mill at a point seventeen miles from Chattanooga, until 1866, from that time until 1872, he had charge of the carding and spinning in Medlock Mills, at Jeffersonville, Ind., after which he was for three years, in Princeton, Ky., and afterward in the confectionary trade in Marion, Ky., eighteen months; then six years in Logan County in charge of the Logan Mills on Red River, after which he moved to Skilesville, in Muhlenberg County, and bought a carding factory on Green River, where he has since remained.
Mr. Hemenway married, at the age of twenty-one, Mary Phillips, whose parents were natives of Massachusetts, and residents of the town of Rock Bottom. Mrs. Hemenway died in 1870, aged thirty-five years. She left two children: Charles H. and Mary Estella. John, the youngest son, died in 1867.
In September, 1883, Mr. Hemenway married Mrs. Mary T., widow of E.E. Rhodes, of Muhlenberg County. Mr. and Mrs. Hemenway are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, politically Mr. Hemenway is a Democrat. His habits are systematic, and he is a thorough man of business. To the cause of temperance he gives his influence by example as well as precept.
Source: Battle, J.H., W.H. Perrin, and G.C. Kniffen. Kentucky: A History of the State. Louisville, KY: F.A. Battey, 1885. Page 906-907.
Updated July 9, 2018