Will County IL Archives Biographies.....Worthley, Herbert S, M D 
************************************************
Copyright.  All rights reserved.
http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
http://www.usgwarchives.net/il/ilfiles.htm
************************************************

File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Deb Haines ddhaines@gmail.com November 10, 2007, 12:13 am

Author: Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County

HERBERT S. WORTHLEY, M. D., of Elwood and Joliet, is one of the successful 
physicians of the county. In 1890 he began his professional studies in the 
medical department of the Northwestern University (then known as the Chicago 
Medical College), from which he graduated three years later at the head of his 
class. It was the custom in the institution to confer the position of house 
physician and surgeon of Mercy Hospital, Chicago, Ill., upon the student 
receiving the highest grade in a competitive examination, and Dr. Worthley was 
successful in securing the highest standing, and was therefore appointed to 
the position, which he filled for one year. In the spring of 1895 he came to 
Elwood and established an office at this point. Through his skill as a 
practitioner he has built up a flourishing practice. On account of frequent 
calls to Joliet he decided to open an office in the city, and in 1898 
established a branch office at No. 426 Barber building, where he spends two 
days of each week. He also receives frequent requests for his services at the 
hospital, so that his time is fully taken up in professional work. A son of 
Robert C. and Waity (Reynolds) Worthley, the subject of this sketch, was born 
in Odell, Ill., December 15, 1867. He was third among five children, the 
others being Eva, wife of William Shanks, a farmer at Bonfield, Ill.; Hattie, 
who married William Ackley, a merchant of Pontiac, Ill.; Wallace, a teacher at 
Odell; and Evans, at home. The father, who was born in Plattsburg, N. Y., in 
1833, graduated from an academy in his home town, after which he engaged in 
teaching for a number of years, but later became interested in saw and grist 
milling. In 1865 he removed with his family to Odell, Ill., where he has since 
made his home. He is one of the leading men of the town and an active worker 
in the Methodist Church. His parents were natives of New York. His father-in-
law, Henry Reynolds, was born in Vermont, and always made his home there. 
While working on his farm one day he was killed by lightning. Afterward his 
widow removed to Illinois, but a few years later joined a son in Plattsbufg, 
N. Y. She died at the home of a daughter in Bombay, N.Y. The education of Dr. 
Worthley was acquired in the Odell high school and the state normal university 
at Normal, Ill. At seventeen years of age he began to teach school, which 
occupation he followed for six years. With the money thus earned he began the 
study of medicine, and for two years was under the preceptorship of Dr. T. O. 
Banister, of Odell, going from there to the Northwestern University for the 
completion of his course. He has been a constant student of his profession. 
The diploma granted him as an M. D. did not mean for him the conclusion of his 
studies; on the other hand, he has studied to keep abreast with the progress 
made in therapeutics and surgery, and is a thoughtful reader of medical 
literature. Through his membership in the county and state medical societies 
he keeps in touch with the work of his colaborers in the profession. In 
political belief he is independent, with Democratic tendencies, but his time 
being closely engrossed by his profession, he takes no part in local politics. 
He is one of the trustees of the village of Elwood, among whose citizens he 
holds a leading place. Fraternally he is connected with Jackson Camp No. 3318, 
Modern Woodmen of America, and District Court No. 523, Supreme Court of Honor. 
January 9, 1895, he was united in marriage with Miss Anna E. Ball, and they 
are the parents of a daughter, Beatrice, born July 15, 1899.

Additional Comments:
Genealogical and Biographical Record of Will County Illinois Containing 
Biographies of Well Known Citizens of the Past and Present, Biographical 
Publishing Company, Chicago, 1900

File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/il/will/bios/worthley1028gbs.txt

This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/ilfiles/

File size: 4.4 Kb