WORTHMAN, James S.
Commemorative and Biographical Record of Columbia, Sauk and Adams Counties, 
WI. Chicago: Ogle, 1901, p 721-722

James S. WORTHMAN, an influential and well-to-do citizen of Baraboo, Sauk 
County, WI, an ex-soldier and present city clerk, was born at Edgartown, 
Martha's Vineyard [Dukes County], MA, 17 May 1841, and was the son of Samuel 
and Polly (WEEKS) WORTHMAN, the father a native of Galloway, Scotland, and 
the mother a native of Edgartown [Dukes County], MA. The father of our 
subject left his native land before he reached his majority, and emigrated to 
Buenos Aires, South America, where he was employed as foreman in a large 
copper establishment, that being his trade. He remained there two years, and 
then came to the U. S., and settled at New Haven [New Haven County], CT, and 
later went to Martha's Vineyard [Dukes County, MA], where he married. He 
became a seaman and spent about 25 years on the ocean, and owned considerable 
sea property, vessels, etc. Fearing his sons would take to the sea, he 
decided to seek a new Eldorado, and accordingly came to WI with his family, 
and located at the town of East Troy [Walworth County]. He purchased a farm 
and gave up the sea, and after a few years his two oldest sons died. He then 
sold the farm and moved to Mukwonago [Waukesha County, WI], where he loaned 
money and spent some years, and afterward moved to Sauk County [WI] where he 
died in the spring of 1868. He had made and saved a competence and his last 
days were spent in comparative ease. His wife survived him until the fall of 
1868. Her maiden name was Polly WEEKS, and she was the daughter of Benjamin 
WEEKS, a native of England, and a sea captain in the merchant service, and 
during the Revolutionay war kept an hotel at Martha's Vineyard [Dukes County, 
MA]. He was a descendant of Sir George OSBORN, of England. Mrs. WORTHMAN's 
brother, James WEEKS, followed the merchant service and died at Charleston 
[Charleston, Berkeley, or Dorchester County?], SC. 

Samuel WORTHMAN, while a sea-faring man, was a strong Abolitionist. He was 
very proficient in his business, and at one time was assistant gauger at 
Boston [Suffolk County, MA]. He was a son of Thomas WORTHMAN, a captain of 
his own boat, who was drowned in St. George's Channel. The family adhered 
strictly to the Presbyterian faith and the chidren were reared in that 
denomination. Captain and Mrs. WORTHMAN were the parents of seven children: 
(1) Margaret, wife of Senator STARKS, who was also state prison 
commissioner, and a very promient man, both now deceased; (2) Lydia P., 
married Joseph CONSAL, of MO; (3) Mary, now Mrs. John YOUNG, whose husband 
is a resident merchant of Reedsburg [Sauk County], WI; (4) Jane O., married 
Isaac HARLAND, of Waukesha [Waukesha County], WI; (5) Thomas, died in 1848; 
(6) Benjamin, died in 1848; and (7) James, our subject. All the children 
were born at Edgarton, Martha's Vineyard [Dukes County, MA].

James S. WORTHMAN resided at home on his father's farm until it was necessary 
to improve his education, when he went to Baraboo [Sauk County], WI, at the 
age of 16 to attend school, and at the age of 17 he joined the expedition and 
went to Sidney A. JOHNSTON's command to Utah to quell the Mormon uprising in 
that territory. He was employed by the government at [p 722] scouting and 
herding, and for any work which he was called upon to do, and suffered 
hardships and cold winters. He was located at Fort Bridger and made trips to 
Denver before that was a city of any size, and well understood the hardships 
of a soldier's life. Nevertheless in 1962 he enlisted in the Badger Guards, 
which afterward became Company F, 28th WI Infantry, and he was with his 
regiment in all their engagements and skirmishes. He was assigned to the 
Western department and was in TN, LA, MS, AL, and TX. He entered as corporal 
and returned as 1st Lieutenant of Company F, 28th WI Infantry. He was never 
wounded or captured, and after the close of the war returned to WI and 
settled on a farm at Excelsior, Sauk County [WI], and engaged in shipping 
livestock, grain, produce, and cooperage stock for several years, and in 1876 
moved to Baraboo [Sauk County, WI] where he has since resided.

Mr. WORTHMAN was married in 1864 to Miss Ursula A. BIXBY, a native of 
Susquehanna County, PA. Mrs. WORTHMAN was reared on a farm and her father 
died when she was a young girl. She and her widowed mother settled in WI, 
where the mother died, leaving the following children: Edmund, Alvina, and 
Ursula, our subject's wife. Mrs. WORTHMAN was a lady of good education and 
was a public school teacher. She died about 1871, and was the mother of 
three children: (1) Luella, who died in childhood; (2) Theodore J., now an 
express agent; and (3) Arthur J., the station agent of the Chicago & 
Northwestern Railroad at Baraboo [Sauk County, WI]. She was a consistent 
member of the Congregational church. 

Mr. WORTHMAN married Miss Mary E. MARTINDALE, of St. Lawrence County, NY, 
about 1873. Mrs. WORTHMAN came west with her father, acquired a liberal 
education, and was a teacher unexcelled in her profession. Two children were 
born to this union: (1) Harry L., now employed by a railroad company; and 
(2) Reid, attending high school at Baraboo [Sauk County, WI]. Mr. WORTHMAN 
holds membership in the Masonic fraternity and Ancient Order of United 
Workmen. He is prominently identified with the G. A. R., and has been 
adjutant and commander of the post. At the incorporation of the city of 
Baraboo [Sauk County, WI] in 1882, Mr. WORTHMAN was elected alderman from the 
2nd Ward, which office he held three years, and in 1885 was elected town 
clerk, which office he yet holds. He is closely identified with the 
important movements in Baraboo, and is deservedly held in high esteem.

Contributed by Cathy Kubly