WORKMAN, WILLIAM H. - The rich farm lands of Sangamon County offer many inducements to the progressive farmers to develop still further for the yields are immense and the soil is suited to a variety of crops. One of the men who is profiting from his experience in agricultural lines is William H. Workman, a prosperous farmer and stock raiser on Section 26, Loami Township. He was born in this township, April 12, 1862, a son of Isaac Workman, one of the pioneers of the county whose sketch is given at length elsewhere in this work.

Mr. Workman was born and bred on a farm and educated in the strict school of his neighborhood, so he is essentially a son of the soil. He remained at home until twenty-four years of age, when, in 1886, he went to work on a farm as a laborer, and following that vocation did whatever he could find to do in the way of honorable employment. On August 1, 1889, he was united in marriage with Miss Minerva Carson, who was born in Chatham Township, January 4, 1862, a daughter of John and Elizabeth (Workman) Carson. The mother, Mrs. Carson, is a daughter of David Workman, who was a brother of William Workman, the grandfather of William H. Workman, the subject of this sketch. Both the Workman and Carson families are prominent in Sangamon County history. Mr. and Mrs. Carson finally moved to Kansas where Mrs. Carson died about 1875, when the family returned to Loami Township.

After marriage Mr. and Mrs. Workman rented land in Loami Township for a year, then in 1890, rented eighty acres from Peter Workman. There they lived until 1896, when they engaged in farming on a Carson farm, and having saved some money, bough twenty acres on Section 26. On this there was already a small two room building, and they have since built a pleasant cottage and have set out a large variety of fruit trees, including apple, peach and cherry trees, with small fruits in great profusion. In this line their farm has become one of the most productive properties in the county, showing the results of constant and systematic labor.

One child shares their home, Eva Alta Carson Workman, born July 3, 1899, a very intelligent little girl now in the sixth school grade, and the pride of her parents's hearts. She is much interested in the family history and proud of the honorable names she bears. Mr. workman has been active in the Republican party, and is interested in educational matters. Socially he is a member of Camp No. 848, Modern Woodmen of America. While not a member of any church, Mr. and Mrs. Workman have always given liberally of their means to further religious work, and are very charitably inclined. Hard working, thrifty and able to make the most of their opportunities, they have succeeded in making for themselves a delightful home, and are giving their daughter the advantages neither of them enjoyed in their youth. By an honest and upright life Mr. Workman has won the confidence and respect of the community with which he has dwelt for the last forty eight years.