He served as the first president of Pennsylvania (an office akin to governor) following the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain.

His paternal grandfather, Thomas Wharton, a native of Westmorland, England, came to Pennsylvania around 1683 and served on the Philadelphia Common Council (1713–1718).

Wharton owned a country home called "Twickenham" near Abington Meeting in Montgomery County.

The Wharton family was involved in various areas of business and public service, including shipbuilding for the Continental Navy.

Members of the Wharton family served in the Continental Congress and the State Legislature, as Mayor of Philadelphia and on the City Council, in positions of military leadership, and in other offices.

Although wealthy, upper class Pennsylvanians like John Dickinson and Robert Morris opposed this radically democratic constitution, Wharton supported it.

In September 1777, with British forces poised to take Philadelphia, the Executive Council evacuated to Lancaster, Pennsylvania.

Although this action was thought prudent by the revolutionary authorities, it was not based on much evidence and Wharton's social connections suffered because of it.

Wharton was given an elaborate funeral with full military honors, in accordance with his position as commander in chief of the State's forces, and was buried within the walls of Evangelical Trinity Church in Lancaster.