William H. Worthington

William Hord Worthington (November 2, 1828 – May 22, 1862) was an American lawyer, farmer and military officer. During the American Civil War, he was the first commanding officer of the 5th Iowa Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Early life Worthington was born in Harrodsburg, Kentucky on November 2, 1828. He was the son of Reverend John Tolly Worthington described as "a devoted Christian and a zealous patriot". His mother died shortly after he was born and was adopted and raised by his grand-uncle, Major William Hord, a distinguished Kentucky gentleman. Both of his grandfathers were well-known Kentucky frontiersman, Edward Worthington and Gabriel Slaughter, who served as the 4th Lieutenant Governor the 7th Governor of Kentucky. Worthington's ancestry can be traced to President James Monroe. He was educated in Louisville, and became interested in a military career after meeting a visiting Polish officer, and eventually graduated from Bacon College.