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. He was born in Pennsylvania and died in Boyd County, Kentucky.

Early life 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 Worthington was prominent and influential in local affairs during his lifetime. He served one term as county judge of Greenup, Kentucky.

In 1895 he was elected lieutenant governor of the state. 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.

Worthington served several terms in the General Assembly before and after his tenure as lieutenant governor. In 1865, he was elected as a member of the Unconditional Union Party to the 32nd Senate district, which comprised Boyd, Carter, Greenup, and Lawrence Counties. In 1885, he was elected to represent Greenup County in the Kentucky House of Representatives. He was later reelected to the house in 1901 and 1903.

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