WORKMAN, STEPHEN (deceased). - Many members of the Workman family have attained prominence in Sangamon County, but none has been more beloved, or left a wider gap, than the late Stephen Workman, when he passed away from this life. Mr. Workman was born in Sangamon County, March 6, 1853, and died on the home farm in Loami Township, December 15, 1895. For a number of years he was one of the enterprising and successful farmers of his locality, specializing in stock raising, and was the owner of an excellent property on Section 22 and 23, Loami Township, containing 280 acres, near the village of Loami. His entire life was spent in the county, his father, Jacob Workman, and his grandfather, William Workman, having come from Tennessee to Illinois about 1830. Locating in Sangamon County, William Workman secured land upon which he reared his family, teaching them the basic principles of honest and upright living. There Jacob Workman grew to manhood and married Nancy Taylor, born in the county. Turning his attention to farming, Jacob Workman operated a farm in Loami Township, where he spent his last days. He and his excellent wife were the parents of seven sons and one daughter.
Stephen Workman went to the school of his neighborhood giving his father his assistance in tilling the soil of their home farm. Continuing at home until he attained his majority, he then began working for himself. Like many another young farmer, before going on a farm for himself, he married, this event occurring in Chatham Township, April 8, 1875, when he was united to Sarah E. Workman, daughter of John Workman, who died in March, 1910. He was brought to Illinois when a lad, in 1830, and there reared. He married Caroline Campbell, daughter of John Campbell. Sarah E. Workman was brought up in Sangamon County, and prior to her marriage was one of the most popular teachers there. Mr. and Mrs. Workman began their married life on a part of the homestead, which later Mr. Workman purchased, and upon which Mrs. Workman is now living. It was in 1879 that he became the owner of his first eighty acres, although he did not have sufficient money to make it a cash transaction. The land was only partly improved, but this did not discourage him, and he labored long and faithfully to make it productive. From time to time he invested his profits and savings in other land, until at his death he owned 282 acres, which is as good land now as can be found in the county.
The children born to Mr. and Mrs. Workman were as follows: flora who died in early womanhood; Melvin, a farmer of Loami Township; Ollie, wife of John Jacobs, also a farmer of Loami Township; Grace, wife of Jesse Dodd, of the same township; Bertha, wife of Fred H. Mills, also farming in the same township; Dora, wife of Richard Edwards, a farmer, and Russell, at home. Both Mr. and Mrs. Workman early connected themselves with the Christian Church, of Loami, in which Mr. Workman became Deacon and Elder, and was always one of its most faithful supporters. He was connected with the Modern Workmen of America, and enjoyed his fraternal relations. All his life, which was unduly cut short, Mr. Workman never shirked a duty or left a task uncompleted, and it was his pleasure to attribute much of his success in life to his wife. He regarded his business ability as superior to his own, and never failed to call upon her for advice in every transaction he undertook. After his death Mrs. Workman assumed control of the property, and has since lived on the farm, operating it with the assistance of her son. She is a lady of culture and distinction, who commands the respect and confidence of all with whom she is brought into contact. Mr. Workman was man of unblemished character, truthful and painstaking in speech and action, and left many warm personal friends behind him to mourn his loss and respect his memory.