William Jackson Worthington

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.

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] Worthington pardoned one of the axe murderers involved in a horrific attack on a family of African Americans (Blyew v. United States).

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