The subject of this sketch was born in the state of Virginia, Feb’y 18, 1820.
When he was a small boy his parents moved to Ohio and there his father died. When he was sixteen years of age he concluded to look out a new home. Leaving his mother and the rest of the children, he came to Illinois on horseback, arriving at Sharp’s Landing in the spring of 1836. He decided to locate at this place and prepared a log cabin for the family and worked at different kinds of labor until the next year when he went back to Ohio, riding the same pony, and got ready to move, coming by way of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers to St. Louis, thence by steamer up the Illinois river, landing his mother and family at their new home in the summer of 1839.
He was married in 1846 to Eliza Jane Thompson, who died some time in the 60’s leaving him with a large family of children. Personally, Mr. Workman was a most genial character. He was a powerful man physically and lived in a time when his great strength stood him in good part, as in those pioneer days the “best” man usually got to the front. But it can be said to his credit that he got into more “scraps” in defense of others whom he would not see imposed upon, than in his own cause.
He worked for some years in a packing house in Beardstown when that place consisted of a very few houses. He worked several seasons as mate on a steamboat plying on the Illinois river. The farm which he improved near the village of Sheldons Grove was a heavy body of timber but he cleared it up and made it a valuable place. Several years ago he sold the farm, and the proceeds with what he had already saved enabled him to enjoy the evening of life in peace and comfort. During the Civil war Mr. Workman did not enlist on account of having a large family of small children to take care of but he had about as much “war” as if he had been at the front. A great majority were avowed Southern sympathizers and Mr. Workman was loyal to his country and did not hesitate to declare himself on all occasions. He was shot at, waylaid, threatened with hanging and everything that the disloyal element could do to make it hot for him was done but “Joe” stayed with them and lived to raise all his sons to love the Stars and Stripes and if need be, to fight their country’s battles.
Mr. Workman was not a member of any religious denomination, but was a believer in the principles of true religion. In all his dealings he was strictly honest and if he had any enemies they were of a class whose friendship would not be desireable.
At a little past seven o’clock, on Feb. 11, while lying in bed reading a newspaper, suddenly and without a groan or a struggle, he passed away — as we hope, and fully believe — to a better life on the other shore.
His surviving sons and daughters are the following: Mrs. John Lebeck, of Havana, Mrs. Perry Fisher, of Bluff City, and C. B., Isaac and William Workman, Mrs. John Morris, Mrs. B. F. Reno and Mrs. Albert Stambaugh of Browning and vicinity. They all desire to thank the friends and neighbors at Browning and Sheldons Grove for their kind assistance and sympathy in their time of sorrow and affliction.
To Fred Schweer, Al. Heinz, Ben Link, Wm. Duchart and Mike Tobin, of Beardstown, they would offer their thanks for their beautiful tribute of flowers.
A great big-hearted man has passed away. May he rest in Peace, is the prayer of a friend. — M.
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