A Ranchero Tragedy Starring William Workman
Author | : Paul McClure |
Publisher | : |
Total Pages | : 176 |
Release | : 2018-12-21 |
ISBN-10 | : 1790622697 |
ISBN-13 | : 9781790622696 |
Rating | : 4/5 (97 Downloads) |
Book excerpt: William Workman (1799-1876) emigrated from England to Missouri, then New Mexico and finally, in 1841, to Southern California.He assimilated into Mexican society, befriended Governor Pio Pico, and in 1845 he and John Rowland were granted the 49,000-acre Rancho La Puente. Workman also helped arrange Mexico's surrender after the Mexican-American War. After California became an American state, he became the quintessential Southern California ranchero, he invested in banking and real estate, and is regarded as one of the founders of Los Angeles.Unfortunately, during the Panic of 1875, he mortgaged all his property, went bankrupt, and lost everything.