Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 355-356; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Isaiah C. Worley, Master in Chancery, of Fulton County, an
honored citizen of Lewistown, and a distinguished veteran officer of
the late war, has been for many years identified with the civic life of
this county and is classed among the ablest men who are at the head of
the judicial department of its government.
Mr. Worley was born on a farm near Carlisle, Cumberland County,
Pa., and is a son of Daniel and Mary Worley. He was but two years old
when his parents moved to Ohio and settled in Richland County, and he
was only seven years old, when he had the misfortune to lose his
father. His boyhood was still further saddened by the death of his
mother at a later period, and he went to live with his brother Nathan
for a time. At the youthful age of fourteen years, the manly,
self-reliant lad commenced the battle of life on his own account. A
venturesome, enterprising spirit brought him from Ohio, to this State
in 1849, and from that time he has made his home in Lewistown, with the
exception of the time he passed in the South during the war. He was
engaged at various kinds of occupation until twenty years of age, when
he accepted the position of assistant in the office of the Circuit
Clerk, remaining there until 1862.
The patriotism of our subject was roused by the great struggle
that was carried on between the North and South during the late
conflict, and August 1, 1862 he volunteered in defense of the honor of
his country, enlisting in Company A, One Hundred and Third Illinois
infantry. His superior qualifications gave him the position of Second
Lieutenant of his company, he being mustered into service in that
capacity. Later he was promoted to be First Lieutenant, and fought
bravely with his regiment in the battles of Vicksburg, Jackson, Memphis
and Missionary Ridge, and did valuable service while with Sherman in
his march to Atlanta and the sea, fighting with the enemy in many an
important engagement of that campaign. From Savannah, Lieut. Worley
accompanied the victorious army to South Carolina. He was taken sick at
Beaufort and his gallant military career was there brought to a close,
as on consultation with Gen. Howard, that officer perceiving the bad
condition of his health, advised him to resign his commission, and he
did so.
After leaving the army, our subject returned to Lewistown, and
as soon as able resumed his position as Deputy County Clerk, retaining
it until 1873. His long and valued services in that capacity earned him
merited promotion to the office of Clerk of the County Court, to which
he was elected in the year mentioned. He held that office by
re-election nine years until he was appointed in 1883, Master in
Chancery and has been in this position ever since. Our subject has been
twice married. His first marriage which was consummated in 1862, was to
Amanda L. Clark. She was a native of Lewistown, and a daughter of
Charles and Amy Clark, natives respectively of Pennsylvania and Ohio.
Mrs. Worley departed this life May 14, 1888. Mr. Worley was married a
second time, June 4, 1890, taking as his wife Emma Alice Dyckes. She is
a native of this county, born in the town of Bernadotte, and a daughter
of Joseph and Lucinda Dyckes, of whom see sketch on another page of
this volume [827]. By his first marriage Mr. Worley became the father
of two children, Amy Mabel and William Clark.
Mr. Worley possesses a thoughtful, clear mind, an intellect well
balanced, and executive talent of a high order, and his constant
re-appointment to the important office of which he is an incumbent,
shows the high estimate placed upon his services as Master in Chancery.
He is a true Christian gentleman, and in him and his amiable wife the
Presbyterian Church finds two of its leading members. Politically he is
a Democrat, one of the most intelligent supporters of his party in this
vicinity. He has aided in the management of civic affairs, as a member
of the City Council and of the local School Board. He belongs to
Lewistown Lodge, No. 104, A. F. & A.M.
