Heywood K. Pemberton
Heywood Kingston “H.K.” Pemberton was a Scott County attorney who served as superintendent of schools in the 1890s.
See Also: Scott County School Superintendents
Preceded By: C.C. Cross • Succeeded By: Horace Robbins
Biography
Pemberton was born July 25, 1870, the son of George Washington Pemberton (1824-1895) and Mary Jane Davis (1834-1874). He was one of six children born to G.W. Pemberton and Mary Davis, but had more than a dozen half-siblings, as well. His father had a total of 21 children by three wives.
The Pemberton family lived at Wolf Creek in southern Scott County.
Pemberton married Rachel Cordenia Smith (1873-1931) in 1898. She was a great-granddaughter of Rev. Isaac Smith, the circuit rider who founded Oneida Methodist Church. They had eight children: an infant daughter who died in 1899, Olson (1900-1979), Oscar (1901-1961), George Joseph (1903-1992), J. DeFoe (1905-1974), Walter Haywood (1907-1993), Elma (1910-1981) and Althea (1913-2006).
Following Rachel’s death in 1931, Heywood remarried to Sarah Elizabeth “Sadie” Adkins (1885-1974) in 1937. She was the granddaughter of Rev. Sterling Adkins, the well-known Baptist preacher who founded churches at Smokey Creek and Upper Jellico Creek. Her second great-grandfather was Mikel “Grand Mikey” Low, believed to be the first white settler of Scott County.
Professional Life
Pemberton was a practicing attorney in Scott County for more than 50 years. During that time he served as Scott County Register of Deeds and also as the Scott County Attorney. He began his career as a school teacher, before being appointed superintendent of schools in 1893.
Scott County School Superintendent
Pemberton was appointed Scott County School Superintendent by the Scott County Quarterly Court in 1893, replacing Caswell Cross. He served one term in that capacity, and was succeeded in 1895 by Dr. Horace Robbins.
Death
Pemberton died on Nov. 27, 1954 at his home in Helenwood. He was 84. He was buried at Mossop Cemetery in Huntsville.
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