The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-09-08
LEVI ]. HEMENWAY
Death Of One Of Shrewsbu-
RVS Most Successful Men
and Financiers.

Shrewsbury, Sept. This town sus-
tanned a severe loss this afternoon I'M
the death of Levi Jenison Hemenway
who died at his residence in South
Shrewsbury soon after 5 o'clock, of al
complication of diseases accentuated
by a cancer. He has been i'll for more
than year, but has been confined toI
his bed but for about a month and I'M
til that time was about his shop where
in have gathered manpSapf the promi-
nent political magnates of the county in
years past
Levi ]. Hemenway was a son of Capt.
Seth Hemenway, a native of this town,
and a grandson of Daniel Hemenway,
who came to Shrewsbury early in the
eighteenth century. He was born June
Is, 1916 and was therefore in his eigh
ty-fourth year, yet up to few months
ago retained all of his faculties to a.
remarkable degree and evinced the most
intense interest in all matters which
effected in any way the welfare of the
town.
His grandfather Daniel Hemenway,
was remarkable man in his time,
having erected the first house in his
native town of birmingham and also
the first town house in Shrewsbury,
and also in Worcester. Early in life,
after having grounded himself in the
rudiments of an education in the schools
of his native town, Mr.. Hemenway
was apprenticed to one Stilman Smith,
then quite prominent gunsmith in
the eastern part of the town.
AT that time, early in this century,
an apprenticeship at that trade meant
a service of seven years, coupled with
further service of an almost equal
period. With such earnestness did he
apply himself to his chosen work that
for years he was considered one of the
most expert gunsmiths in this part of
the country and the homes of many of
the older inhabitants today contain
samples Of the work of Mr.. HemenWay.
On August Is, 1S40 Mr.. Hemenway
married Maria D., daughter of Capt
Thomas Harrington, Jr., of this town,
and of that union two children were
born, Frederick Augustus Hemenway,
and Lucy Maria Hemenway, the latter
of whom resides in Worcester. His
wife died nine years later, and for his
second wife he married Emily May
nard of Westboro, who died in 1870.
Throughout his long career in the SER
vice of the town he has held many Of
fees of honor and trust. He was one of
the early postmasters of the village of
South Shrewsbury and held the office
until it was abolished some years ago.
For more than fifty years he had been
at one time or another a member of
the board of selectmen and was several
times it's chairman. He was a recog-
nized authority on all measures and
was possessed of uncommonly clear
| judgment and had a, remarkable insight
into the most intricate and difficult
problems which at times occur in New
England town government
He was chairmsW of the board of se-
lectmen at the time of the building of
| the town hall, and his presence is well
remembered at the time of the dedica-
| ton of that building, when he accepted
| the keys of the building from Jonathan
| H. Nelson, chairman of the building
| committee. He was also chairman of
| the board at the time of the famous
Billiard murder, when the town;
| largely through his instrumentality
voted to offer a reward of $500 for the
apprehension of the murderer.
He was until the time of his death
| treasurer of the Wright fund estab-
| lished many years ago for the benefit
of the charitable poor of the town.
| Within the last fifty years his atten-
ton has been taken up with the settle
ment of many large estates, and he is
we'll known to the members of the bar
of Worcester county, his having been a
familiar figure in the court of probate
and insolvency almost continually dur
ing that time. He. was extremely ac-
curate in all matters involving the eX
penditure Of money in the interest of
the whole people.
He was a democrat in politics, but
never accepted offices in the gift of the
party, remaining content to labor in the
interest of his fellowmen without hon
orary remuneration. Descended as he
was from revolutionary ancestors, he
early evinced a liking for all things
military, and during his youth was an
active member Of the company Of indie
pendent militia located here. Up to the
time Of his fatal illness he held the
record for perfect attendance at the
town meeting, and in that way was
power in the affairs of the town.
He was an intense student of finance,
and was consulted widely on all mat
tiers pertaining~to the investment of
money and funds, especially trust
funds of large estates. "A cousin, Sam
uel A. Pratt of Worcester, who was for
many years manager Of the Protective
Union. survives him, together with his
daughter, Miss Lucy M Hemenway
Arrangements for the funeral have not
as yet been completed.
The contract for the construction of
the state highway was awarded tonight
to Calvin S. Temple, he being the only
bidder Mr. Temple is to start building
the road at once. There will be a little
less than one-half mile, reaching as far
as Mitchell's fiat, and a little beyond
the watering trough This road must
be finished by Nov. l. according to the
state contract. ;