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