Charles H. Worland, a leading stockman of Washakie county, is the founder of the town of Worland and one of the most prominent business men of northern Wyoming. It is said that "Opportunity knocks but once." Whether this be true or not, Mr. Worland determined that opportunity would not have to knock but once with him ; that he would utilize his chance when it came, and it is this readiness and alertness on his part that has constituted the basis of his growing fortune. He was born in Missouri, where his parents had located in pioneer times. There he was reared and educated and in early manhood he made his way to the Pacific coast by the way of Cape Horn, making the voyage on a sailing vessel. After reaching his destination he engaged in the live stock business in California until 1886 or 1887, when he removed to Nevada, where he continued in the same business until 1898. In that year he came to Wyoming. His entire active life has been passed in the west and he has been a typical frontiersman, bravely and resolutely meeting ail the hardships and privations incident to the settlement of a new country. After making his way to this state he took up his abode on a homestead across the river from the present town of Worland. He proved up on that homestead in 1904. The previous year he established a half-way house between Basin and Thermopolis and there also conducted a livery barn. His roadhouse was known to and is spoken of by all the cattle and sheep men of this part of the state, being regarded as an oasis on the desert, as it was the only place where travelers could be entertained over night or procure a meal between the two towns.
    Mr. Worland's business enterprises were of a character that met public needs and demands and thus his interests prospered. He was early identified with irrigation problems, the Bluff canal and the Bighorn projects. He recognized the fertility of the soil if water could but be added and his efforts in connection with irrigation interests have been of the utmost worth and value to this section of the state. He also secured the establishment of a postoffice at Worland. In June, 1906, the town of Worland was removed to the east side of the river, its present location, and Mr. Worland took up his abode there the following year but still owns the old homestead on the other side of the river and is still actively engaged in business, associated with his son, Charles C, under the style of the W. & W. Live Stock Company, they being among the pioneers in the development of the oil industry in northern Wyoming, particularly in the Grass Creek and Elk Basin fields and later in the Warm Springs field, and are also in the live stock business. Whatever C. H. Worland has undertaken he has carried forward to successful completion. Coming into a new country, he has studied its possibilities for development and has so utilized his chances that splendid results have accrued.
    Charles H. Worland was united in marriage to Miss Caroline Brown, a native of California, and their family numbered two children, a daughter and a son. The daughter, Berenice, is the wife of D. R. Finlayson, a mining engineer, now-located in Clarksdale. Arizona, and to them have been born two children, a son and a daughter.
    Mr. Worland votes with the democratic party but has never been an office seeker, preferring to do his public service in other connections than as an official. Washakie county regards him as one of her foremost citizens and Wyoming has become indebted to him in considerable measure for his efforts in promoting the upbuilding of the northern section of the state. He is ever frank and straightforward in all his dealings and in unusual measure he enjoys the respect and regard of those with whom he comes in contact.