The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24
DENNISON
WORTHINGTON
Soldier, Statesman and Law
yer, an Ardent and True
Democrat.
A SUCCESSFUL CAREER
One THE Most Eloquent Speakers in the State
A Polished, Cultured Gentleman,

Among the most distinguished OF
North Cardinals able lawyers Colonel
Dennison Worthington ranks among the
leaders, He is a polished, cultured gen
tleman whose friends are only limited
by the number of his acquaintances.
The Colonel is a North Carolinian by
birth and first saw the light of day at
Murfreesboro. Hartford county, October
9th, 1913. He springs from one of the
old and distinguished families of the
State. His father, DR.. Robert Hazard
Worthington, was the first surgeon of
the Seventeenth North Carolina, and
subsequently post surgeon of the camp
of instruction ut Raleigh. My subjects
mother was a Miss Herbert, of Norfolk,
Virginia. His oldest brother was sur
geon in the Seventh Virginia.
Dennison Worthington was educated
in North Carolina and Maryland. Dur
ing 1860 he was appointed to cadetship
at Annapolis. Shortly afterwards the
war broke out and he turned backward,
entered the Eighth North Carolina State
troops, and became a member of the
staff of Colonel III. NJ. Shaw. He was
sent to the peninsula to command the
scouts on the 9th Of May, and while
there was assaulted by Wilde's negro
brigade, who killed every man under his
command. My subject was Shot in FIVE or
six places, and was taken by the collar
by the commanding officer after he (the
commanding officer had placed his pistol
in his face and fired three times, and
then threw it down with the remark,
You bear a charmed life"
Mr.. Worthington was then ordered to
be shot, and was sent from Point Look
out to Bermuda Hundreds, Buffers
headquarters Here he was rendered
the oath of allegiance. He told the Off
Ger that he had come into the prison as
a Confederate soldier and that he would
leave it living or dead as a Confederate
soldier. His life was spared through the
clemency of Mrs. General Butler.
After the war he began the study Of
law with Hon. j. J. Yates & Martin.
and Baker q Hinton, at Norfolk, Vir-
ginia. In 1869 he was admitted TO the
bar and was shortly afterwards elected
to the Reconstruction Convention of
Virginia. He served in that body and
subsequently removed to his native coun-
~. Shortly afterwards he was married
to Miss Julia Wheeler. the talented and
accomplished daughter of Colonel S. T.
Wheeler and niece Of Colonel John III.
Wheeler, Historian, and General Junius
III. Wheeler, OF the United States army
Two children resulting from this union
are living.
In 1881 he was elected a member Of
the Legislature from Martin county: in
1888 nc was reelected and was elected
Speaker pro tenn of chat body. During
1883 he was reelected, and was candi-
date for Speaker, but was defeated by
the late Governor Holt, who appointed
him chairman of the judiciary commit
tee.
The Colonel was appointed by Cover
nor Scales Solicitor of the Third Judi
clal District, and was subsequently elect
ed to the position, serving six years.
lie has been candidate for the nomi-
nation for Attorney General but was de-
feated by Hon. Frank Osborne Col
onel W0fthington has declined the nomi-
nation for Congress and Judgeship of his
District He is an ardent and true
Democrat and has always worked hard
for the interest Of his party. He has
an excellent practice, and is considered
one Of the foremost lawyers of his day.
lie Is one Of the most eloquent speakers
IN the State and has an excellent com
mand of the English language. He IS Il
Mason and a member Of the Missionary
Baptist Church.