William H. Workman - Early Life

Early Life

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. His father, who ran a saddlery in Missouri for many years (an apprentice in the mid-1820s was Christopher "Kit" Carson, a famed scout and mountain man in New Mexico after running away from the Workman business) opened a store in Gold Rush-era Sacramento and which burned in a fire that destroyed seven-eighths of the city, visited 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.

William's father, David, ran sheep and cattle to the gold mines for his brother, but was killed in an accident in late June 1855, falling off a cliff while searching for a stray animal. After his death, the 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, shortly afterward, was joined by William. 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.

He married Maria Elizabeth Boyle (1847–1933) on October 17, 1867, in Los Angeles. Maria was born in New Orleans, but after her mother died when she was young, was raised for a time by relatives while her father, Andrew A. Boyle (1818–1871) relocated to San Francisco. Not long after sending for his daughter, Boyle moved to Los Angeles, buying a tract of land east of the Los Angeles River called "Paredon Blanco" (White Bluffs.) Boyle ran a shoe store and also the existing vineyard at Paredon Blanco, as well as served on the City Council during the 1860s. William H. Workman and Maria Boyle had seven children, including Boyle Workman.