WILLIAM WORKMAN

Perhaps no man deserves a public place in our Biographical Sketclies than Wni. Workman. He was one of our niost prominent citizens for the long period of nearly sixty years. Mr. Workman was born near Belfast, north of Ireland, and came to Canada about tlie year 1829, previously having spent three years of service with the Royal Engineers on the Irish Survey. He was a young promising man when he made his début in Montréal as assistant editor of the Courant. His elder brother, Dr. B. Workman, since of Toronto, w^as associated with him.

Abandonning the journalism, he entered into the large establishment of Frothingham & Co., where he soon commanded so much confidence and esteem that, shortly after his entrance, he was admitted partner, and the name of the firm was then changed to what it is still styled to-day, Frothingham & Workman. This firm has always been one of the largest establishments in the hardware business in Canada, and its name is familiar as household words throughout the length and breadth of the Dominion.

Mr. Workman retired froni the firm in 1859, having made an ample fortune. In 1849, ^^^ "^^'^^ elected Président of the City Bank, and for some years, continued to hold this responsible ofîice, when he resigned. He was the founder of the City and District Savings Bank. He was the first Président of the Bank, and held the office for six consécutive years.

He was a Libéral in politics, and a strong supporter of the La Fontaine - Baldwin part3^ Having the views, Mr. Workman was often brought into close relations with the French Canadians of this party, and he deserved the unfailing

expressions of respect and esteem entertained by niany leaders of the Libéral party towards him. In 1868, Mr. Workman was elected to the liigh and honorable position of Mayor of Montréal, and for the next two years following he was re-elected by acclamation. During his term of office, his honse was always open, as his gênerons hospitality was always profnsel}^ dispensed to ail strangers who visited Montréal. During the office of Mayoralty, Mr. Workman was twice honored with a public banquet in which ail classes of the community joined. On the occasion of his second term and on his retirement from the office of Ma^^or, he was presented as a gift from the citizens, with a magnificent diamond ring which cost, $1,000, and two costly pièces of solid silver plate, accompanied with a most flattering address signed on behalf of the citizens and Corporation b}^ a committee composed of the most wealthy and influential citizens of Montréal. During the visit of His Ro3^al Highness Prince Arthur to Montréal, Mr. Workman, as Ma^^or, received him when he landed and was the récipient of many thanks from the Royal part}^ during their sojourn in the City. For some years before his death, Mr. Workman had been gradually retiring into private life. He felt that during the remaining term of his allotted career, having doue his duty to this, his adopted country, he might now retire from the battle of life and let the mantle of his intelligence, energy and success fall upon the shoulders of some other rising men. He died eleven years ago. His gift to the Protestant poor of Montréal in the Workman Wing of the General Hospital will never be forgotten.