Clay Co., KS AHGP-Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties-George L. Worland
Portrait and Biographical Album of Washington, Clay and Riley Counties Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1890
GEORGE L. WORLAND, of Bloom Township, Clay County, was born in Ridgeway Township, Orleans Co., N. Y., April 15, 1845, and is the youngest of six children, the offspring of David and Rebecca (Shipp) Worland. The parents were of English birth, and received their education and training in the old country. There they were married and lived until after the birth of one child, Jane E., now the housekeeper of her brother George. Then crossing the Atlantic, they settled among the old Puritan stock of Orleans County, N.Y. There both died in middle life, he of whom we write being but three years of age when he lost his father, and four when his mother was taken from him. They had belonged to the Presbyterian Church and were honored members of the community.
After the death of the parents, the Worland children were scattered, and George L. was early thrown upon his own resources for a livelihood, and the training which would fit him for a useful and honored life. By his own efforts he acquired a fair education, and all his property has been made by his own untiring industry, economy and prudence. In 1868, Mr. Worland left the Empire State and took up his abode in McLean County, Ill., whence about two years later he came to Kansas, which has since been his home. He located a homestead in Clay County, on section 27, Bloom Township, making his first entry in August, 1870. Since that time the estate has been put under excellent improvements, and has become an attractive and productive farm, and on its broad acres Mr. Worland is successfully carrying on the business of general farming.
Mr. Worland was a single man when he came this State, and here made the acquaintance of the lady whose qualities of mind and character were best adapted to his wants as a companion in life. This lady was Miss Emma Whittaker, who was born in Randolph County, Ill, Oct. 16, 1847, and was educated for a teacher. She became the wife of our subject, but did not long survive to cheer him in his discouragements and aid him his worthy efforts in life, passing away at her home in Bloom Township, Jan. 18, 1884, at the birth of her first child, who was christened Emma E., and who was taken hence at the age of three years and seven months. Mrs. Worland died in the faith of the Reformed Presbyterian Church, of which she had been a consistent member.
The parents of Mrs. Worland were William B. and Elizabeth (McMillan) Whittaker, natives of South Carolina and of Scotch-Irish ancestry. Slavery drove both families from the South, they being Reformed Presbyterians, and the "peculiar institution" being in opposition to their religious faith. The family upon leaving their Southern home, located in Randolph County, Ill., and in 1871 Mr.Whittaker came to this State and took up a homestead in Bloom Township, Clay County. The family comprised three children, and their home was here until the death of Mrs. Whittaker in 1880. Her husband died some time later at Superior, Neb., both being quite old people. They were active in the work of the church to which they belonged, and Mr. Whittaker was an Elder therein. Mr. Worland has held various township offices, including that of Trustee. He is a sound Republican in his political views. He belongs to the United Presbyterian Church, and was one of the organizers of the society in Bloom Township, holding the office of Trustee in the same. He is a warm-hearted, generous and noble-minded man, public-spirited, and active in every good enterprise, and is highly esteemed by his fellow-citizens. A handsome lithographic portrait of Mr. Worland is shown on another page of this work.