William H. Workman
| William H. Workman | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| 18th Mayor of Los Angeles | |
|
In office December 14, 1886 – December 10, 1888 |
|
| Preceded by | Edward F. Spence |
| Succeeded by | John Bryson |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
January 1, 1839 New Franklin, Missouri |
| Died | February 21, 1918 (aged 79) Boyle Heights, Los Angeles |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse(s) | Maria Elizabeth Boyle |
| Children | Boyle Workman |
William Henry Workman (January 1, 1839 – February 21, 1918) was an American politician, banker and businessman. He served two terms as the 18th Mayor of Los Angeles, California.
Workman was born in New Franklin, Missouri, the son of David Workman (1797–1855) and Nancy Hook (1807–1888). He had two older brothers, Thomas H. (1832–1863) and Elijah H. (1835–1906). William, named for his uncle William Workman(1799–1876), a well-known rancher, farmer and banker in Los Angeles County, was raised in Howard County, Missouri until the age of 15. David Workman ran a saddlery in Missouri for many years; an apprentice in the mid-1820s was Christopher "Kit" Carson, who ran away from the Workman business and later became a famed scout and mountain man in New Mexico. David opened a store in Gold Rush-era Sacramento; following a fire that destroyed seven-eighths of the city and destroyed the business, David journeyed south to visit his brother William Workman and was convinced to resettle in the Los Angeles area. In April 1854, the David Workman family, including 15-year-old William, crossed the plains to California. While resting and restocking supplies at Salt Lake City, the family was approached by Brigham Young, leader of the Mormons, about staying there. The family declined and moved on, arriving at William Workman's Rancho La Puente in October.
David ran sheep and cattle to the gold mines for his brother, the elder William, but was killed in an accident in late June 1855, falling off a cliff while searching for a stray animal. After his death, David's widow Nancy and her sons moved to Los Angeles, residing on Main Street. Thomas went to work as secretary for noted transportation magnate Phineas Banning, married Alice Woodworth, and died in the explosion of the steamer "Ada Hancock" in April 1863, leaving no children.
Elijah, following the family profession, opened a saddlery in Los Angeles by 1857 and was joined by William shortly afterward. The two continued in partnership for most of the next twenty years, building up, as the Workman Brothers, a substantial business at their Main Street location.
...
Wikipedia