John Henry Worst, born December 23, 1850, in Ashland County, Ohio, served as president of the North Dakota Agricultural College. A descendant of Dutch ancestry, he was educated at Smithville Academy and Ashland University in Ohio. Initially a farmer and merchant, Worst moved to Emmons County, North Dakota, in 1883, where he became superintendent of public schools. He served in the state senate from 1889 to 1894 and as lieutenant governor in 1895-1896. Married to Susan Wohlgamuth in 1876, they had three children: Olive Jeanette, Clayton Le Roy, and Lloyd Warner. The family were members of the German Baptist church.
John Henry Worst, president of the North Dakota Agricultural College, is a native of Ashland county, Ohio, where he was born on a farm, December 23, 1850, and is of Holland descent. He is the son of George and Margaret Worst and was educated at Smithville (Ohio) Academy and Ashland (Ohio) University. He was a farmer, followed mercantile pursuits for a period, and also was editor prior to 1883, when he came to North Dakota, taking up his residence on a homestead in Emmons county, this state. From 1883 to 1889 he was superintendent of the public schools of Emmons county, and at the last named date was elected a member of the state senate from the twenty-sixth legislative district, and served in that capacity from 1889 to 1894. In 1895 he was elected lieutenant governor and served in that capacity until 1896, when he was made president of the North Dakota Agricultural College and director of the government experiment station, both of which positions he is still holding. Dr. Worst is a Free Mason, a member of the Knights of Pythias, and is a member also of the Elks.
October, 1876, he was married, in Wayne county, Ohio, to Susan Wohlgamuth. Three children have been granted to them, as follows : Olive Jeanette, Clayton Le Roy and Lloyd Warner. Mr. and Mrs. Worst are members of the German Baptist church.
Source
C.F. Cooper & Company, History of the Red River Valley, Past And Present: Including an Account of the Counties, Cities, Towns And Villages of the Valley From the Time of Their First Settlement And Formation, volumes 1-2; Grand Forks: Herald printing company, 1909.