Representative women of New England/Caroline A. Bemis
CAROLINE ASENATH BEMIS, matron of the Herbert Hall Asylum, founded by her husband. Dr. Merrick Bemis, in Worcester, Mass., has been officially associated with philanthropic work in that city for half a century.
Born in Brookfield, Mass., March 11, 1832, she is a daughter of the late Henry Gillmore, M.D., and Caroline Rice Gillmore, of Brookfield, and on the maternal side grand-daughter of Peter and Caroline Rice.
She was educated in the public schools and also at a private school in her native town. The ceremony which united her (Caroline A. Gillmore) in marriage with Dr. Merrick Bemis, a native of Sturbridge, took place on January 1, 1856. Dr. Bemis at that time was superintendent of the State Lunatic Hospital at Worcester, where he had previously been assistant to Dr. Chandler. Retiring from the State Hospital in 1872, after nearly twenty-five years' service, he founded a private hospital, Herbert Hall Asylum, named for George Herbert, the English divine and poet. It is for mentally diseased patients.
Although now (1903) in his eighty-third year, Dr. Bemis is in full possession of all his faculties. He is the manager of the hospital and an interested worker in public affairs in Worcester, being always ready to advance every good cause.
For nearly twenty years Mrs. Bemis was the efficient matron of the Stafe Lunatic Hospital at Worcester. In her early labors she received the friendly council of the distinguished philanthropist, Dorothea L. Dix. Mrs. Bemis continues her active duties as matron at Herbert Hall, dispensing comfort and happiness to all with whom she associates. Cheerfulness is one of her principles, and combined with an unselfish spirit has made her life work eminently successful. During extended travels abroad some years since, she visited hospitals and other institutions, adding to the value of her experience by study of foreign methods. Dr. and Mrs. Bemis have one son. Dr. John Merrick Bemis. He was born February 14, 1860, and is now assistant physician at the Herbert Hall Asylum.