Worthington, Washington Irving

WORTHINGTON, IRVING, BREWER, SKINNER, CARMONY, MOORE

Posted By: Janelle Martin (email)
Date: 6/2/2013 at 12:21:19

History of Hamilton County, Iowa, vol. II, 1912, J.W. Lee. pp. 246-148

Washington Irving Worthington, whose residence in Webster City dates from October 20, 1855, was for a number of years actively engaged in business here as a carpenter and builder but is now living retired, spending the evening of life in well earned rest. His birth occurred in Bainbridge, Chenango county, New York, in 1829, his parents being Theodore and Eliza (Irving) Worthington. In 1835 the family home was established in Tioga county, Pennsylvania, and two years later in Michigan, where the parents of our subject spent the remainder of their lives. Theodore Worthington was an agriculturist by occupation and also worked at the carpenter's trade.

W. I. Worthington was educated in the country schools of Michigan and during his early life worked at farm labor through the summer months and taught school in the winter seasons. At the same time he learned the carpenter's trade. In 1848, when a youth of nineteen, he left the parental roof and spent the following four years in Illinois and Wisconsin. Returning to Michigan, he there remained until his removal to Ohio and in 1855 came to Iowa. In April, 1855, he arrived in Des Moines, having journeyed to that place from Muscatine by stage. After a few months he made his way to Webster City and here he has resided continuously since, or for a period of fifty-seven years. During the early '60s he went to Pike's Peak in search of gold and when he returned to this state, at the end of two years, offered his services as a Union soldier in the Civil war but was rejected on account of physical disability. He spent two years in the south, however, acting as sutler's clerk for J. C. Cheney, of Fort Dodge, Iowa. After the cessation of hostilities between the north and the south he gave his entire attention to carpentering and building and gained an enviable reputation as the foremost carpenter of his time, being identified with the erection of many of the homes and business structures of Webster City.

Mr. Worthington has been married three times. In 1857 he wedded Miss Caroline Brewer, a daughter of William Brewer of Webster City, who was a cooper by trade and one of the pioneer settlers of Hamilton county. By this union there was one son, Charles Irving Worthington, whose birth occurred in 1857 and who now resides in Omaha. He is married and has three children. In 1863 W. I. Worthington wedded Miss Helen Skinner, a daughter of Jacob Skinner, an attorney of Webster City. She passed away about 1874, leaving four sons, while Fred died before her death. The others are George J., Frank, John and Marion. In 1876 Mr. Worthington married Miss Anna Carmony, her father being Peter Carmony, an agriculturist of La Salle countv. Illinois. Unto W. I. and Anna(Carmony) Worthington was born a daughter, Grace Lee, whose natal year was 1877 and who gave her hand in marriage to Harry Moore of Webster City. Mrs. Moore was called to her final rest in 1909.

At the polls Mr. Worthington has always voted independently. He served in the capacity of assessor for two years and acted as marshal of Webster City for one year. At the time of his arrival here Hamilton county was still but sparsely settled and largely undeveloped, and he has therefore witnessed the wonderful transformation which has occurred as pioneer conditions have given way before the onward march of civilization. His home is a comfortable and attractive residence at No. 402 Division street. He has now passed the eighty-third milestone on life's journey and enjoys the respect and veneration which should ever be accorded one who has traveled thus far on this earthly pilgrimage and whose career has been at all times upright and honorable.