William Jackson Worthington

William Jackson Worthington (November 9, 1833 – May 22, 1914) served in the Union Army during the American Civil War, was a state senator, and served as the 26th Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky under Governor William O. Bradley from 1895 to 1899.[1] He was born in Pennsylvania and died in Boyd County, Kentucky.

William Jackson Worthington
26th Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky
In office
December 10, 1895 – December 12, 1899
GovernorWilliam O. Bradley
Preceded byMitchell Cary Alford
Succeeded byJohn Marshall
Personal details
Born( 1833-11-09)November 9, 1833
Cambria County, Pennsylvania, U.S.
DiedMay 22, 1914(1914-05-22) (aged 80)
Boyd County, Kentucky, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseCatherine Steele (d. 1889) Lucy York
Children7
Residence(s)Greenup County, Kentucky, U.S.

Early life

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Worthington was born near Johnstown, Pennsylvania, but spent his childhood in Ohio. He came to Kentucky with his parents as a teenager, and served in the 22nd Kentucky Infantry Regiment of the Union Army during the American Civil War. He was commissioned captain of the Company B of the regiment, and was later promoted to the ranks of major and lieutenant colonel. Worthington was present during the Siege of Vicksburg and the Battle of Cumberland Gap. He was under the command of Ambrose Burnside during the Red River Campaign and at the Capture of New Orleans.

After the conflict's end, Colonel Worthington returned to his home in Greenup County, Kentucky and purchased a furnace in the Hanging Rock Iron Field. He was actively involved in the iron business for about fifteen years.

Career

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Worthington was prominent and influential in local affairs during his lifetime. He served one term as county judge of Greenup, Kentucky and was elected a state senator in 1869. In 1895 he was elected lieutenant governor of the state, and in 1900 he was again elected to the State Legislature.[2] In 1896, Worthington pardoned one of the axe murderers involved in a horrific attack on a family of African Americans (Blyew v. United States). Worthington granted the pardon due to doubts over the evidence used to convict the man.[3]

Legacy

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The city of Worthington, Kentucky was named after Worthington, being built by his daughters upon land inherited from the Colonel.

References

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  1. ^ "Index to Politicians: Worthington". The Political Graveyard. Retrieved 2007-03-06.
  2. ^ A History of Kentucky and Kentuckians, Volume 3, by E. Polk Johnson (1912)
  3. ^ "The Solicitor General in Historical Context". www.justice.gov. 2014-10-23. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
Political offices
Preceded by Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky
1895–1899
Succeeded by