Worthington 150: Worthington has had 36 mayors since founding

City of Worthington — Worthington City Hall (Brian Korthals/Daily Globe)

By The Globe

August 23, 2022 02:30 PM

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WORTHINGTON — The elected official to lead the city is the mayor, or before 1909, the president. That year, Worthington revised its charter and adopted the strong council, weak mayor form of city government, meaning the mayor only votes in the instance of a tie among council members. This is how it remains yet today.

Community

Timeline: Celebrating the 150-year history of Worthington

A timeline that celebrates big moments in our town's history.

August 24, 2022 12:00 PM

Following is a list of Worthington’s presidents and mayors since the city’s founding:

1873: N. Sater (city incorporated, first election)

1874: J.C. Craft

1875: Albert C. Robinson

1876: Peter Thompson

1878: Albert C. Robinson

1879: Daniel Shell

1882: C.H. Smith

1884: George W. Wilson

1885: Daniel Shell

1887: H.C. Shepard

1888: C.H. Smith

1889: Daniel Shell

1892: H.E. Torrance

1893: Daniel Shell

1896: Azom Forbes

1897: Frank Glasgow

1899: E.C. Pannell

1901: J.R. Conway

1902: Frank Glasgow

1903: J.N. Gould

1906: W.E. Madison

150 YEARS OF WORTHINGTON

Community

Timeline: Celebrating the 150-year history of Worthington

A timeline that celebrates big moments in our town's history.

August 24, 2022 12:00 PM

Local

Worthington 150: Worthington, Adrian battle for county seat

Adrian proposed dissecting Nobles County so it could reign over a new county.

August 24, 2022 06:00 AM

By The Globe

Local

Worthington 150: Worthington's city council members through the years

While Worthington City Hall maintains all council meeting minutes, the early minutes are handwritten.

August 23, 2022 03:30 PM

By The Globe

1909: William Ronan

1913: William Schrader

1915: A.J. Ward

1919: W.E. Oliver

1921: A.J. Goff

1923: E.J. Jones

1925: A.T. Latta

1930: E.O. Olson (resigned May 13, 1931)

1931: E.J. Olson

1937: H.O. Kragness (died July 7, 1944)

1944: H.E. Hagge (acting mayor)

1945: Alvin E. Graf

1947: L.V. Hartle

1949: J.C. Boote

1951: H.E. Davidson

1955: John E. Fenstermacher

1965: Joe Ross

1967: Robert J. Demuth

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Demuth fostered bridge between Worthington and Crailsheim, Germany

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By Julie Buntjer

1971: Ray F. Schisler

1977: Harlin Owens

1986: Robert J. Demuth

2003: Alan Oberloh

2015: Mike Kuhle

150 YEARS OF WORTHINGTON

Community

Timeline: Celebrating the 150-year history of Worthington

A timeline that celebrates big moments in our town's history.

August 24, 2022 12:00 PM

Local

Worthington 150: They called area Hokah-be-na: 'The nesting place of heron'

The Indian culture along the shores of Lake Okabena remained undisturbed until the mid-19th century, when white settlers first moved into the area.

August 24, 2022 08:22 AM

By The Globe

Local

Worthington 150: Memorial Auditorium built in 1931

An addition to the junior and senior high complex, the auditorium was designed with the classic art deco features so popular at the time.

August 24, 2022 08:22 AM

By The Globe

Local

Worthington 150: School established within first year of town's founding

The first public school consisted of 49 students and two teachers who met in various rented rooms throughout the village.

August 24, 2022 08:21 AM

By The Globe

Local

Worthington 150: City hosted first Windsurfing Regatta in 2000

At least 50 confirmed reservations were received from Midwestern windsurfers of various skill levels.

August 24, 2022 08:21 AM

By The Globe

Local

Worthington 150: It was Billy Sunday vs. Satan in 1906

One night he ran smack-dab into a group of evangelists while staggering out of a saloon. He was converted on the spot. Since then he traveled all across the country preaching the gospel and convincing sinners to “get right with God.”

August 24, 2022 08:21 AM

By The Globe

Local

Worthington 150: World War II felt here at home

The city’s Army National Guard unit, Co. F of the 215th Coast Artillery, was ordered to active duty in 1940, a full year before the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor.

August 24, 2022 08:20 AM

By The Globe

Local

Worthington 150: International Festival draws thousands to Worthington for first event

First festival focused on playing soccer.

August 24, 2022 08:15 AM

By The Globe

Local

Worthington 150: First shipment of clothing reaches Crailsheim on Feb. 6, 1948

Committee member recounts sorting everything from dresses and suits to shoes.

August 24, 2022 08:14 AM

By The Globe

Local

Worthington 150: Turkey Day origin was frantic crowd on court square fighting for live turkeys

It was a noisy, hilarious and potentially dangerous scene. But the merchants of 1934 declared it a huge success.

August 24, 2022 08:14 AM

By The Globe

Local

Worthington 150: Horace Ludlow developed Okabena apple

Ludlow a figure in Worthington's early history.

August 24, 2022 08:14 AM

By The Globe

Crailsheim bombed in final days of World War II

Local

Worthington 150: Worthington receives World Brotherhood award for Crailsheim partnership

“Building international relations on a community-to-community basis … represents a new approach to democracy.”

August 24, 2022 08:13 AM

By The Globe

Local

Worthington 150: Jack Boote lived fabled experience

Jack started as an immigrant shoemaker and went on to lead a flamboyant rags-to-riches life. He was part of an interesting era in Worthington’s history.

August 24, 2022 08:13 AM

By The Globe

Local

Worthington 150: Many Nobles County residents gave their life for their country

Last local casualties were from Vietnam war.

August 24, 2022 08:13 AM

By The Globe

Local

Worthington 150: Theodora Cashel founded partnership of peace

The founder of this unique partnership visited Crailsheim in 1958, when she was decorated with the “Bundersverdienstkreuz Erster Klasse.”

August 24, 2022 08:12 AM

By The Globe

Local

Worthington 150: George Dayton resided in Worthington for 19 years

His home still stands today as a bed and breakfast.

August 24, 2022 08:12 AM

By The Globe

Local

Worthington 150: Settlers built one sod house for two families

The Mobergs and Larsons came to America together in 1870, an arduous journey by boat, foot, wheel car and railroad.

August 24, 2022 08:11 AM

By The Globe

Local

Worthington 150: Stubborn Swede with social conscience built up region’s largest industry

E. O. Olson was a prominent figure in Worthington's history

August 24, 2022 08:11 AM

By The Globe

Local

Worthington 150: Ice was major crop from Lake Okabena for seven decades

Worthington was a natural for the natural ice industry. The railroads were here. The lake was here.

August 24, 2022 08:10 AM

By The Globe

Local

Worthington 150: City experienced big changes in first 100 years

Worthington’s economic base began to broaden from the narrow pedestal of farming to the much broader one of agriculture.

August 24, 2022 08:00 AM

By The Globe

Local

Worthington 150: Great Depression had tremendous impact on Worthington’s history

One Worthington woman who was close to the welfare scene expressed it another way: “I never told my kids how tough we had it. And I forgot it as soon as I could.”

August 24, 2022 07:00 AM

By The Globe

Local

Worthington 150: Worthington’s first 50 years included paved streets

Worthington soared to a new population of 3,481 persons by the 1920s.

August 24, 2022 06:30 AM

By The Globe

062922 N DG Amazing Worthington City Band S2.jpg

Local

Worthington 150: City band's roots can be traced to 1893

In 1916, a hexagonal bandstand was built about 75 feet out on Lake Okabena at the foot of Third Avenue.

August 23, 2022 06:00 PM

By The Globe

Local

Worthington 150: Peter Thompson bought first lots sold in the city

His most notable accomplishment was in 1911, when the four-story hotel which bears his name was built, with 118 feet of it faced on 10th Street and the courthouse square.

August 23, 2022 05:00 PM