He was admitted to the bar in 1860 and commenced practice in Peoria, Illinois.

Superintendent of schools of Peoria County[clarification needed] 1865-1872.

Worthington was elected circuit judge of the tenth judicial district of Illinois in 1891.

He was appointed by President Cleveland a member of the commission to investigate labor strikes in 1894.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress