Worthington, Wilmer, 1804-1873

Wilmer Worthington, physician and politician, was born in West Chester Co., Pa., on 22 January 1804, to Amos and Jane (Taylor) Worthington. He married Elizabeth Hemphill on 28 September 1826; they had eight children. After a prolonged illness, Worthington died on 11 September 1873. He received his M.D. from the Medical Department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1825. He established private practice in West Chester, where it thrived until his retirement in 1865. Worthington founded the first medical society in the state, the Chester County Medical Society (1828), the Medical Society of the State of Pennsylvania (1848) and the American Medical Association (1847). He was chosen President of the State Society in 1850. He also served as editor of the Chester and Delaware County Medical Societies' joint journal, the Medical Reporter (1863-1866). In 1833 Dr. Worthington was elected to the State House of Representatives for one term. Thirty years later he was elected to the State Senate, where he served for 6 years (1863-1869) and was chosen Speaker in 1869. On 1 April 1868, Worthington was elected an Associate Fellow of the College of Physicians.