This contains a transcription of the Luther Hemenway of Marlboro, NH biography from Biographical Review Volume XXIII: Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Cheshire and Hillsboro Counties, New Hampshire, Biographical Review Publishing Company, Boston, 1897.

Page 50

LUTHER HEMENWAY, a retired manufacturer of Marlboro and an ex-member of the New Hampshire legislature, was born in this town, January 15, 1827, son of Luther and Betsey (Cummings) Hemenway. His grandparents, Ebenezer and Ruth (Gates) Hemenway, came here through the wilderness from Framingham, Mass., and settled upon a tract of land bordering upon the town of Dublin. Ebenezer eventually replaced his log cabin with a frame house, which is still standing, and at the time of his death was the owner of a good farm. He reared a large family.

Luther Hemenway, who was born in Framingham, grew to manhood at the homestead. He learned the blacksmith’s trade, which, besides farming, he followed in the village of Marlboro for some years. His last days were passed in Jaffrey, and he lived to be eighty-five years old. He was interested in military affairs, and was familiarly known as Captain Hemenway. In his religious beliefs he was a Unitarian. His wife, Betsey, was a daughter of Amos Cummings. Her family were originally from Seabrook, N. H. She became the mother of four children, namely: Charles C., who is no longer living; Sarah; Eliza C.; and Luther. Sarah is the widow of Warren C. Town, late of Keene, N. H.; and Eliza C. is the widow of Oliver Jewett, late of Marlboro.

Luther Hemenway attended the schools of Marlboro and Dublin, and completed his studies at the Melville Academy, Jaffrey, N. H. He subsequently worked with his father at the blacksmith’s trade until reaching his majority. Then he engaged in the manufacture of wooden-ware at Marlboro, where he conducted a thriving business for upward of forty years. He was one of the pioneer box manufacturers in this locality, and is the owner of a mill situated on Minnewaw Creek. His business enterprises were productive of good financial results, and he is now living in retirement. In politics Mr. Hemenway was originally a Democrat, and he cast his first Presidential vote for Franklin Pierce in 1852. At the breaking out of the Rebellion he joined the Republican party, which he has since supported with vigor. At one time he was the president of the Republican Club, and he is now the secretary. He has rendered a valuable service to the community in public capacities. He was Constable and Fire Warden for a number of years, has served for several terms as a Selectman, and was a Representative to the legislature in 1895. He is connected with the Independent Order of Odd Fellows and the Patrons of Husbandry, and has attended the Universalist church for the past fifty years.

On December 7, 1853, Mr. Hemenway was united in marriage with Mary C. Davis, daughter of Joshua Davis. He has one son—Frederick D., who married Bertha I. Smith and has one daughter—Ruth E. Mrs. Hemenway is a devoted member of the Congregational church.

Luther Hemenway