William Alexander Work

WORK

Posted By: Volunteer - Karen DaPra
Date: 5/30/2004 at 05:52:39

Hon. William Alexander Work, prominent attorney, and for many years a citizen of Van Buren county and resident of Keosauqua, died Monday night of this week at Ottumwa hospital, after an eleven weeks' illness. He was past 74 years of age and his death was not unexpected. His going removes one of the pioneer attorneys of Iowa.

William A. Work was born on a farm in Jefferson county, Christmas day 1844. In 1845 the family moved to Van Buren county, where Mr. Work passed his boyhood, and later, after his course in the common schools, attended the old Birmingham academy and prepared for college, entering Iowa Wesleyan in 1862. After one year of study in college he enlisted in the United States navy and served on the flagship of Admiral Porter's squadron on the lower Mississippi. He saw much active service and at the conclusion of his term of enlistment he returned to Iowa Wesleyan college, graduating in 1867. He taught school in Keosauqua for a year, pursuing at the same time the study of law with Robert Sloan, and when later Mr. Sloan was elected to the judgship, Mr. Work succeeded to his practice. Later he was associated with Judge Alexander Brown, and in 1882 the firm became known as Sloan, Work and Sloan, Judge Sloan having retired from the bench. In 1883 Mr. Work removed to Ottumwa, opening a law office, but retaining a connection with the Keosauqua firm for many years. At the time of his death his local connection was with S. E. Irish. Of late years the Ottumwa firm had been Work & Work, his son, Emmett A. Work, being the junior partner.

Funeral services were held Thursday, and were attended by attorneys from all over southeastern Iowa, in- [rest of obituary is missing]

[Originally posted 6 June 2001]

Wife Hinda (Marlow) Work's Obituary
 

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