DEATH OF RICHARD WORKMAN

WORKMAN, BOWERS

Posted By: Chuck Workman (email)
Date: 4/18/2009 at 22:45:24

Richard Workman was born Jan. 7, 1818, near Coieraine, in the County Derry, Ireland, and died at his home near Stockport, Iowa, March 13, 1903, aged 85 years, 2 months and 6 days.

In company with his father and mother, William and Mary Haelot Workman, and one sister he came to Canada, landing at Quebec, July 20th, 1834. His father was stricken with cholera on board the vessel and died one day before landing, and his mother succumbed to the same dread disease one day after they had landed. Both were buried at Quebec. Thus he was left a mere boy, 16 years old, among strangers and in a strange land. But with that indomitable courage and faith in the right, which has marked his life work, he faced the world with a brave heart and willing hands and carved out a reputation which well may command our respect and emulation.

Dec. 12, 1841, he was married to Mary Ann Bowers, at Newton, Ohio and in the following year came to Iowa, Van Buren County, where he has resided ever since, having lived at the old home since 1844 with the exception of about ten years in the town of Winchester. His wife died November 25, 1885, since which time his daughter-in-law, Mrs. Rachel Workman, and his three grandchildren, Eugene, Richard, and Mary, have remained with him.

He was the father of ten children, six boys and four girls, all of whom preceded him to the better land excepting one son, Girard W. Workman, a resident of this county. He also leaves eleven grandchildren, and three great grandchildren. All of his children died in their infancy excepting Oliver Perry Workman, who died in middle life (age 28) at Bullard's Bar, Yuba County, California, and was buried at the masonic cemetery, Marysville, in the same county and state.

Richard Workman is gone, but the lives and examples of such men never die, but go on and on like a benediction, to brighten and cheer the lives of others as they meet the bitter realities of life.

Mr. Workman has held many positions of honor and trust in the county, township and community, and has always discharged the duties and guarded the interests that were placed in his hands in a way satisfactory and just to all. Nor was he one of those passive characters, without opinions and ideas of his own. He was a man of strong convictions, and had the courage of those convictions, yet was always ready and willing to accord to a neighbor or friend the same rights and privilages he asked for himself. He was broad minded and liberal in all his views. The world was his country and to do good was his religion, and those who were in want, those upon whom the sorrows of life had fallen heavily, those who needed his counsul and sympathy, never applied to him in vain, the high and the low, the rich and the poor, receiving the same kind and generous treatment, which should be accorded by one who believed in the Brotherhood of Man. His life work is finished, the volume is closed, and a good man has gone to his long reward. Such a life is an inspiration to others and has not been lived in vain.

The two sons who grew to manhood and middle age life in our midst, attest the sterling worth of character, which the teachings and example of a kind and just father inspired to their lives, and even the reflection of that pure and noble life is seen in the grandchildren, who honor the name and who should feel proud to be associated with a life so rounded and full of good deeds and moral rectitude.

The remains were enclosed in a beautiful casket, with many floral decorations and the emblems of the Masonic fraternity of which he was an honored member. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. E. J. Smith whose remarks were very appropriate and well received. He would not attempt a eulogy upon the life character of a man of whom his neighbors and friends spoke so highly of his honesty, his integrity and his high moral character. Such a man needed no eulogy. The Stockport choir, under the supervision of Mrs. Kate Beswick, rendered some beautiful music and greatly aided in the solemn and impressive exercises.

The burial exercises were under the direction of S.W. Whitmer, whose easy and thoughtful management, vitiated, to a certain extent, the very unfavorable climatic conditions and surroundings. The pall-bearers were Jas. Beswick, J.B. Fox, Robt. Johnston, T.T. Beswick, S.V. Whitaker and Will Hastings.