WILLIAM WORTHINGTON (1816 - 1850)

"Poor Erring William"

William was the second youngest child in the Worthington family. He was named after his father's guardian, William Darke, and family friend and New York businessman John Jacob Astor.

He left few letters, but many letters by his siblings mention him and provide clues about his life. Still a child at the death of his father, William grew up with little guidance or discipline. Although he attended Ohio University, he appears not to have graduated. He inherited about 120 acres of farm land from his father. He farmed some of this and rented most of it to tenants. He had a drinking problem, about which his family expressed much concern over the years. He efforts at solving this problem unsuccessful, he died in 1850.