Worthen, Amos H.

Born: 1813-10-31 Vermont

Died: 1888-05-06 Warsaw, Illinois

Born in Bradford, Vermont, Amos H. Worthen was a schoolteacher, merchant, scientist, public servant, and professor. He attended public schools in New England and continued educating himself independently throughout his life. In January 1834, he married Sarah B. Kimball, with whom he eventually had at least six children. They moved to Harrison County, Kentucky, where Worthen taught school for a year. In 1836, they relocated to Illinois, eventually settling in Warsaw. Worthen worked as a merchant, succeeding in business and studying geology on his own as he was able. In 1850, he owned $2,000 in real property. In 1851, he received appointment as assistant geologist for the Illinois state geological survey, a position he held for three years. He was an unsuccessful candidate for the Illinois House of Representatives in the election of 1854. In 1855, he received appointment as an assistant geologist for Iowa's state geological survey. While still working in this position, Illinois Governor William H. Bissell appointed Worthen state geologist for Illinois in early 1858. He completed the state's first geological survey and eventually published the survey in book form in six volumes. By 1860, he owned $5,200 in real and personal property.

Th. Gregg, History of Hancock County, Illinois (Chicago: Chas. C. Chapman, 1880), 453, 670-71; Daily Illinois State Journal (Springfield), 13 February 1858, 2:2; U.S. Census Office, Seventh Census of the United States (1850), Hancock County, IL, 319; U.S. Census Office, Eighth Census of the United States (1860), Springfield, Sangamon County, IL, 139-40; Gravestone, Oakland Cemetery, Warsaw, IL.