Shelby  County  Indiana
Newspaper  Articles

Worland

The  Shelby  Democrat
August, 1962
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WORLAND  FAMILY  REUNION  HERE
TO  MARK  300TH  ANNIVERSARY
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by Margaret King
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          "Came  John Worland  of Charles County and proved his right to fifty acres of land for his transporting of himself into this province in Annus 1663."

Liber 17, Folio 348
Commissioner Land Office
Annapolis, Maryland

          So begins the genealogy of the Worland family.  This family's origin in America stems from the advent of John Worland I, late Charles County, Maryland, in the year 1662.  Records show this first Worland migrated from England under the bondage of Lord Baltimore.
          And now, 300 years, 5,000 descendants and 12 generations later, the Worlands will celebrate with a reunion.  The ter-centennial, dabbed the "Gathering of the Clan", will take place here.  The St. Vincent's Church, located on E. U.S. 421, will be the scene of the observance on Saturday and Sunday, August 11 and 12, 1962.
          Vincent "Red" Worland  and  Rudy Klare,  local representatives for the reunion, today announced the schedule:  On Saturday afternoon and evening the Worlands will begin to gather on the grounds of St. Vincent's Church where they will register and meet members of the family from the locality as well as from great distances.  Worland said he wouldn't venture an estimate to the number of peopel who will attend the event, but the master list has 4,000 names on it -- names of Worlands living throughout the United States.
          Among those present will be "Red" Worland's father,  Ira Worland,  of 436 W. Mechanic St., in Shelbyville.  Ira, as far as is known, is the oldest Worland living -- on August 8 he will be 88 years old.
          Large charts will be on display showing the history traced to date (1954), and indicators will be placed there as the different branches arrive to show the origin of the visitors.  It is expected that at least one descendant representing each year of the history of the family will be present.  A highlight of the displays will be a family tree, 8 feet by 26 feet, now being painted by an Indianapolis artist.
          On Sunday morning, the 12th of August, in the more-than-centruy old St. Vincent's, Mass will be celebrated by the  Rev. T. Vincent Worland,  assisted by other descendants of the Worland family.  Following Mass, a dinner will be served at noon on the grounds of the parish.  Reservations for the dinner should be made by August 4 with "Red" Worland at EX-press 8-4729.
          During the afternoon a public meeting will be held, with testimonials to the progenitor of the Worland clan by family and public officials.  During both days, games will be played and refreshments served.
          Father T. Vincent Worland, a 22-year-old priest and assistant at St. Mary's Parish in Alton, Illinois, eight years ago became interested in the Worland history and began reserach for a thesis.
          The genealogy, upon which the "Gathering of the Clan" is based, is actuality was begun several years ago by  Miss Olive Lewis  of Lafayette.  In her quest for information, several members of the clan were found to have the same interest.  By combining their information and compiling it, discovery was made that all the Worlands in the United States were from a common ancestor.
          Further interest carred their quest into tracing all descendants of John Worland of 1662, whether carrying the Worland name or not.  Although the history is incomplete at the present time, research is continuing and will be published at a later date when all available sources have been exhausted.
          From wills and land records the information has been obtained that the progenitor had one son,  John II,  who also in turn had but one son,  John III.  In this third generation the progeny took root.  Having removed to Washington County, Maryland, the family emigrated into Kentucky in the 1790's.
          In Kentucky, two groups of Worlands have been found, the names corresponding to the children of John III, his first wife having died prior to his death.  His wife and family migrated to Washington and Scott Counties in Kentucky.  From Kentucky the family divided, some remaining, while other travelled with the frontiers of the country into Shelby County, Indiana; Shelby County, Missouri; Shelby County, Tennessee, and Shelby County, Illinois.
          From these early origins the descendants have removed themselves to almost all the states of the Union, as well as Canada and Mexico, numbering approximately 5,000 in 300 years -- 12 generations from their progenitor.
          The "Gathering of the Clan" is unusual in this respect that so many people in one family show such interest in the compilation and association with each other.
          Distant-removed cousins of the clan find common characteristics in facial qualities, occupation, off-spring.
          In Washington, D.C., it was discovered two neighbors, living side by side, in 1962 became interested in tracing their family background.  In so doing, they discovered one  James Walker  owned a plantation known as "Dockers Delight," granted by the King of England through Lord Calvert.
          Next door was a plantation known as "New Alsford," granted through Lord Calvert to John Worland, the great, great, great, great-grandfather of  Wilford Worland  who today lives in Washington, a neighbor to  Jim Walker.  Both men had associated with the same firm for 10 years before they discovered they had a tie that bound them together as neighbors through almost three centuries.
          In Kentucky, it has been discovered that one of John's descendants desiring to establish himself in a "new" area would find through the abstract of his newly acquired property that a century before the land had been owned by one of his ancestors.  Through the five generations and 100 years, the new owner believed himself to be the first member of the family to take up resident in that vicinity.
          Ten John Worlands, five Vincents, 11 Ralphs, etc., in far separated branches, show a common attraction to even the naming of their children.
          The religion of the descendants of John I is predominantly Catholic.  Through Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Missouri, numerous nuns and several priests are found to have descended from John Worland, and their efforts in the various religious orders have become an edification and honor to the family.
          A Dominican nun entering the convent in Kentucky in 1905 thought herself to be the only Worland in that community.  This nun had two aunts who were Dominican nuns in Springfield, Illinois, who had queried why she did not enter the convent where her family had been associated.  Imagine their surprise when the discover was made that the first novices in the foundation of the Kentucky convent were daughters of a Worland, and part of the land where-on stands the Motherhouse was occupied by Worlands 150 years before.
          Of the priests who descended from John Worland, only one bears the name Worland, although others in previous years were Worlands through their maternal ancestry, and continued the establishment of the faith of their fathers through the South and even to foreign missions.
          The site chosen for the ter-centennial observance of the Worland family, or the "Gathering of the Clan," is closely connected with the history of the family.
          In the first quarter of the 19th century the Worlands were investigating the new lands of the frontier, and in 1825  Leo Worland  of Scott County, Kentucky, came to Shelby County, Indiana, which became a center for the family from that time to the present.
          In 1826, Leo's father,  Thomas Worland,  came to Shelby County bringing with him his family of 12.  Thomas Worland came to be well known, as justly so, as the leading Catholic in the county during his time.  As pioneer priests would make their visits to the Catholic communities of the frontier, the priest from Kentucky,  Rev. George Elder,  came to Indiana and the sacrifice of the Mass was offered for the first time in Shelby County in the cabin of Thomas Worland.  The mantle in the room was used as an altar.
          A tract of two acres was donated by Thomas Worland for the construction of a church, and of those subscribing to the erection of the building, two out of three are noted to be Worlands or those of Worland ancestry.
          Father Stephen Theodore Badin,  the "Apostle of Kentucky" and the first priest ordained in the United States, (he was also the donor of the property for Notre Dame University) was a frequent visitor to the Worlands in Indiana and Kentucky.  In those prime generations of the family, many children were named in honor of Father Badin.
          As the church was established in this county of Indiana, it was given the name St. Vincent's, and the Worlands remained faithful members donating land for the school and assisting in the development of the whole community.  The cemetery at St. Vincent's contains the bodies of those pioneers whose further descendants have migrated on to Michigan, Ohio, Illinois, Canada and on through the West.
          When it was decided to celebrate the 300 years of this family, where could be a better place than this, the center of the family -- St. Vincent's.  The progeny of this branch (at present knowledge) is more numerous than any of the other major divisions of the clan.
          It is then in this year, 1962, and this month, August, that the Worlands will converge upon St. Vincent's Church here, from all parts of the United States and Canada to celebrate, in two days, their ancestry and discuss their progeny, successes, future and past.  It will be a time to reacquaint themselves with other members of the family as well as to meet those distant cousins whose relationship was not known until a short time ago - when a common interest in knowledge of the past history of their ancestry, couples together with their knowledge of their country and religion came alive and brought together the "Gathering of the Clan."
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The  Shelby  Democrat
Thursday, July 17, 1919
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ENTERTAINED  HONOR
OF  RETURNED  SONS
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Dinner Given Sunday by Mr.
and Mrs. Chas. Worland
for Chester and Ralph
E. Worland.
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(From Tuesday's Daily.)

          Mr. and Mrs. Charles Worland  entertained a large crowd of relatives and friends Sunday at their home, 627 west Franklin street in honor of their sons,  Ralph E. Worland  and  Chester Worland  who have recently returned from service, the former serving in the navy as a pharmist's mate and the latter in the army as a member of the 658 aero squadron.
          Several other returned service men were present for the day which was spent in playing games and conversation.  At the noon hour an excellent dinner was served which included all the good things to eat:  fried chicken featuring the repast.
          Those present for the dinner were  Mr. and Mrs. Roy Nelis  and son,  Mr. and Mrs. Otis Smith  and family;  Mr. and Mrs. John Terhune,  Mrs. Nelis;  Mrs. Nicely;  Mrs. Emma Stiner;  V. Huffen;  Charles Hemphill;  Jesse Hall  and  Thomas Potter,  of Indianapolis;  Mrs. William Coulston  and family, of Lawrenceburg;  Mrs. Fred Oakley  and  Mrs. Swango,  of Vevay;  Charles Worland  of Waldron.  Those from this city were  Mr. and Mrs. James Worland,  Mr. and Mrs. Tobis Worland  and family,  Mr. and Mrs. Russell Gathman,  Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Kennedy  and daughter,  Mr. and Mrs. Wm. Carter,  Mrs. Alice Young,  Mrs. Bert Paxton  and daughter,  Mr. and Mrs. George Richardson  and family,  Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Miley,  Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Ewicks,  Mr. and Mrs. Ora Richardson,  and the  Misses Freda Worland,  Sadie Miley,  Marie Maley,  Emma Young,  Orpha Tucker,  Olive Dill,  Marie Schaeffer,  Frances Roberts,  Goldie Hatfield,  Esthel Shippled,  and the  Messrs. John Worland,  Ralph Miley,  Arnold Dow,  Roy Young,  Iva Cambpell,  Clancy Richardson,  Russell Price,  Millard Kanouse  and  Robert Worland.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The  Indianapolis  Star
Indianapolis, Indiana
Nov. 22, 1918
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BELIEVES SON STILL LIVES
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SHELBYVILLE, Ind., Nov. 21, --- Charles G. Worland  is reported missing in action since Oct. 6 in an official telegram received by his mother, Mrs. Alice Worland.  He is a brother of Russell Z. Worland, who died in France of influenza-pneumonia Oct. 12.  His mother believes there is a mistake in the telegram, as she has received two letters from him dated Oct. 12 and 18.  His last letter stated that he had been shot through the hand and was in a hospital.
Contributed anonymously

The  Indianapolis  Star
July 11, 1915
Page 30   Column 7
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SHELBYVILLE.
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          Mrs. Roy Nelis  of Indianapolis, is here the guest of  Mrs. Charles Worland.
Contributed by Virginia Latta Curulla

The  Shelbyville  Democrat
Monday, December 15, 1913
Page 1
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          Mrs. Charles Worland, of Franklin avenue is spending the week in Indianapolis the guest of her son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Nelis.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The  Shelby  Democrat
Thursday, August 24, 1911.
Page 4   Column 4
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          A petition has been filed in the Shelby circuit court by  Frank Zoble  and others to have  John Oscar Worland  declared a person of unsound mind and incapable of managing his estate.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The  Shelbyville  Democrat
June 9, 1904
Page 4   column 1
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          Mrs. Emma Worland  desires to offer her sincere thanks to the many friends who were so kind in her recent bereavement at the death and burial of her son,  Ray.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The  Shelbyville  Daily  Democrat
Friday, September 29, 1899
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          William Worland, an old Shelby county boy, is here from Nebraska visiting old friends.  He formerly resided near Bynum.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The  Shelbyville  Republican
Friday, October 7, 1898
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          Mr. Vincent Worland,  who is farming 100 acres of land in Carroll county, is here to see his sister, Mrs. Arch Simms, of West Hendricks street.  On July 13 a member of Mr. Worland's family was taken with typhoid fever and since that time there have been six ...  returning home she was taken with the same disease but is now better.  Mr. Worland is one of the best men that ever left Shelby county and his friends will be pleased to know that his family has about recovered and that he is prospering on this big farm.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The  Shelby  Democrat
Thursday, December 27, 1894
Page 3 column 3
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          Ex-Recorder Barney Worland  is here from Illinois to attend the funeral of his mother.  His old friends are all glad to see him.
Contributed by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The  Shelby  Republican
February 2, 1893
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          Word has been received in this city that  Barney Worland,  formerly recorder of this county, is sick of lung fever at his home near Neoga, Illinois.
Copied by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The  Democrat - Volunteer.
Shelbyville, Ind.
Feb. 26, 1880.
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OFFICIAL  ORGAN  OF  SHELBY  COUNTY.
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CITY  AND  COUNTY.
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          The smoke-house of  Stephen Worland, about three miles south-east of this place, took fire on Sunday afternoon and a considerable portion of the structure was burned before discovery.  The meat was also a good deal damaged.  The family were absent from home at the time of the accident, which is supposed to have been caused by an ash-box that had been set in the building.
Copied by Phyllis Miller Fleming

The  National  Volunteer
SHELBYVILLE, INDIANA
~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~ * ~
March 2, 1854
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         Hymenial - - married on the 2nd inst., by the Rev. Mr. Maloney, Mr. John McCrury and  Mrs. Susan Ann Worland  of Addison Township, Shelby County.
Abstracted by Maurice Holmes, in his book Shelbyville, Indiana, Newspaper Excerpts: 1853-1859.  Submitted by Sherry Badgley Ryan, with permission from the author.

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