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Lot Essay
William Workman (1807-1878) was an Irish born entrepreneur, businessman and philanthropist, best known perhaps for his Frothingham & Workman hardware business as well as his role President of Montreal's City Bank. Workman was born in Co. Antrim and moved with his family to North America, eventually settling in Montreal.
On his retirement from business Workman took more of an interest in public affairs, ultimately serving as Mayor of Montreal. His time as Mayor was regarded by some as being very successful and marked by his generous hospitality with guests who he regularly entertained at his home Mount Prospect in Montreal’s Golden Square Mile. During his time as Mayor he was twice honoured with a public banquet, the second of which celebrated his retirement and saw the presentation ‘of a magnificent diamond ring which cost $1,000, and two costly pieces of solid silver plate. This was accompanied by a most flattering address, signed on behalf of the citizens and Corporation’ (History and Biographical Gazetter of Montreal, 1893, p.298).
He has married, in 1831 Eliza Bethell (1805-1885) with whom he had eight children, though tragically only two daughters lived to adulthood.
On his retirement from business Workman took more of an interest in public affairs, ultimately serving as Mayor of Montreal. His time as Mayor was regarded by some as being very successful and marked by his generous hospitality with guests who he regularly entertained at his home Mount Prospect in Montreal’s Golden Square Mile. During his time as Mayor he was twice honoured with a public banquet, the second of which celebrated his retirement and saw the presentation ‘of a magnificent diamond ring which cost $1,000, and two costly pieces of solid silver plate. This was accompanied by a most flattering address, signed on behalf of the citizens and Corporation’ (History and Biographical Gazetter of Montreal, 1893, p.298).
He has married, in 1831 Eliza Bethell (1805-1885) with whom he had eight children, though tragically only two daughters lived to adulthood.