Individual Notes

Note for: Jonathan Workman, 1811 - 2 JUN 1888 Index

Individual Note:
Jonathan acquired 150 acres of land on Leading Creek, Randolph Co, West Virginia in 1852. He and his wife disowned their children in their will and left everything to "Milburn Workman."

In the 1870 census, he was living in WV, Randolph County, Green Township. Series: M593 Roll: 1698 Page: 443

Individual Notes

Note for: Joseph Workman, ABT 1829 - Index

Individual Note:
Joseph Workman was a private in 168 Ohio Infantry during the Civil War.
He was also listed with the 5th WV Cavalry.

The following concerns the 5th WV Cavalry unit, which originally had been an infantry regiment:

General Order No. 39, War Department, dated January 26, 1864, was issued, changing the Second Virginia Infantry to the Fifth West Virginia Cavalry. At noon, March 19, 1864, the brigade left Martinsburg and went to Charleston, W.Va., arriving there April 30, 1864. In the spring and summer of 1864, the regiment took a gallant part in the battle of Cloyd Mountain in May, and in the expedition of General David Hunter to Lynchburg.

After this the companies whose term of service had expired were mustered out of service and the re-enlisted men, about 200 in number, were consolidated with the Sixth West Virginia Cavalry in September. The regiment had a service of which any troops might be proud, and fully sustained its reputation for courage, efficiency and staying qualities. In the history of this noble regiment, Governor Pierpont has the following to say of it: "Some that came to Wheeling were mere boys. Major Oakes, the mustering officer, a very judicious man, told me that some of the boys ought to be home with their mothers, but they persevered, and those boys came out veterans. It was the first regiment I had mustered in, the three month's regiments being formed before I became governor. Those that came from Pennsylvania were in citizens' light clothing, and there was a great deal of hardship and destitution until clothing was issued to them, which was some time after their mustered in.

There was one pleasing feature of the troops from the two States, Ohio and Pennsylvania, that was their perfect assimilation in spirit and purpose. The Pennsylvanians seemed to feel that they were with the Virginians to defend the Virginia homes from invasion, and partook of all the enthusiasm of the Virginians in the fight. Whenever I heard of a fight where the Second Virginia or Fifth Cavalry, after they became mounted, was, I heard a good report of them. They were reported brave to recklessness sometimes. It was said of them that whenever they got in a close place, every man was a general, and that they were almost invincible. They certainly achieved some victories that seemed in the beginning hopeless."

[Source: Loyal West Virginia from 1861 to 1865, by Theodore F. Lang, The Deutsch Publishing Co., Baltimore, Maryland, 1895]

Information about the 168th Ohio infantry regiment:

Originally the 66th and 67th Ohio National Guard Units, it was organized May 19, 1864, for 100 days service. Colonel Conrad Garis moved it to Kentucky where it guarded railroads. On the 11th of June, at Cynthiana, a large force of Morgan's Rebel cavalry surrounded this Regiment and after a severe fight, and the ammunition being exhausted, the command was captured with a loss of 25 killed and wounded and 280 prisoners. The men after being robbed were paroled and returned home. The remainder of the Regiment remained in active service and was discharged September 6, 1864.

Individual Notes

Note for: Andrew J. Workman, 10 JUL 1839 - 27 FEB 1892 Index

Individual Note:
Andrew was a soldier in the Civil War, "Co. H, 10th Infantry"

The information available about this infantry regiment from West Virginia is as follows:

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HISTORY
[Source: Loyal West Virginia 1861-1865, by Theodore Lang]

This regiment was recruited by T. M. Harris, who was a practicing physician at Glenville, Gilmer County, W. Va., at the breaking out of the war. At the solicitation of General Rosecrans, Dr. Harris visited governor Peirpoint at Wheeling in the latter part of July, 1861, and obtained his consent to recruit a regiment for the Union service with the understanding that in the event of his success in recruiting a regiment he should receive a commission as its colonel. He entered upon his work on the third day of August, 1861, and completed the organization of the 10th Regiment and received a colonel's commission to command the same, about the 3d of May, 1862.

The doctor had an extensive acquaintance with the country and the people and traveled over about 12 counties of the State, some of them several times, during the fall of 1861 and the winter of-1861 62, gathering recruits from the loyal purpose of hunting out suitable men for his line officers. In this work he used great discrimination and made very few mistakes. The result was that his regiment, when organized, was under command of brave, intelligent and intensely loyal men. In this way its future good record was assured.

The doctor found his task a tedious and difficult one. He found plenty of loyal people, but at that early period of the war they were laboring under the delusion that the war would be a short one and there would be enough of troops raised in the States North and West to put down the rebellion without their aid. He succeeded in getting four or five companies organized during the fall months of 1861, and these were put into service by the generals in command, at the request of the Governor, at points along the border line between the loyal and disloyal portions of the State, for the protection of the loyal people against guerilla raids. In this service they distinguished themselves as constituting a vigilant, intelligent and brave line of outposts. The service of this regiment after its organization in May, 1862, until June, 1864 was mostly in West Virginia. Having been recruited from the hardy mountaineers of the State, it was so particularly well adapted to the purpose of protecting the loyal interests against the enemy that the Governor was loth to give it up to any other service. It had the confidence of the loyal people who felt safe under its protection. In June, 1864, it was ordered to Martinsburg, and became incorporated into the organizations that were then being formed for operations against the enemy's threatened advance down the Shenandoah Valley and was finally incorporated in the command known in army orders as the "Army of West Virginia," under General Crook.

At the close of the Valley campaign in December, 1864, it was sent, under the command of its former colonel, now commanding a division, to City Point, where it became incorporated with the 24th Army Corps and it served in this corps during the remainder of its term of service. This regiment was noted for its prowess, courage, intrepidity and general reliability. It participated in many hard fought engagements and always came out with a splendid record. Most of its officers distinguished themselves for soldierly qualities and many of its private men won honorable mention. It was perhaps not excelled by any regiment in the service from this or any other State.

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LOSSES
[Source: Compendium of the War of the Rebellion, by Frederick Dyer]

Regiment lost during service 2 Officers and 93 Enlisted men killed and mortally wounded and 2 Officers and 144 Enlisted men by disease. Total 241.

Individual Notes

Note for: Harriet Stalnaker, JAN 1833 - 21 OCT 1909 Index

Individual Note:
In the 1900 federal census, Harriet was living with Asbury, Oliver, and Rachel in Leadsville, Randolph, West Virginia, next door to son Andrew.

Individual Notes

Note for: Aaron Workman, 6 APR 1840 - 10 DEC 1872 Index

Individual Note:
Aaron was a soldier in the Union Army, serving as private in WV 10th Inf. 1862-1865, and Lieutenant of Militia in 1866.

[See notes under Aaron's brother, Andrew J., for information about the 10th West Virginia infantry regiment.]

Individual Notes

Note for: Elizabeth Workman, ABT 1842 - AFT 1880 Index

Individual Note:
In the 1880 Federal Census, Elizabeth was living with her parents and 15-year-old son in Green, Randolph, West Virginia. She was listed as a widow.

Individual Notes

Note for: Richard Robinson, ABT 1832 - Index

Individual Note:
     1880 census

    Household:

    Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's Birthplace Mother's Birthplace
    Richard ROBINSON Self M Male W 47 ENG Frmer ENG E
    Rebecca ROBINSON Wife M Female W 38 VA Keeping House VA VA
    Phebe ROBINSON Dau S Female W 11 OH At Home ENG VA

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Source Information:
     Census Place Curry, Putnam, West Virginia

Individual Notes

Note for: William H. Collier, 5 AUG 1841 - 20 MAY 1920 Index

Individual Note:
William served in Company H, 5th WV Cavalry under Reynolds, Milroy, and Averell.

Individual Notes

Note for: Lucinda Vanscoy, ABT 1825 - Index

Individual Note:
After William died, Lucinda married John Hillyard. In 1860, they were living in Barbour County, where John was farming. Lucinda's three children were present, as were five children that were John's.

Individual Notes

Note for: Perry C. Harris, ABT 1836 - ABT 1916 Index

Individual Note:
     1880 census

    Name Relation Marital Status Gender Race Age Birthplace Occupation Father's BirthplaceMother's Birthplace
    Perry C. HARRIS Self M Male W 34 WV Farmer WV WV
    Rachel HARRIS Wife M Female W 34 WV Keeping House WV WV
    Hickman HARRIS Son S Male W 12 WV Farmer WV WV
    Dora HARRIS Dau S Female W 10 WV WV WV
    Elva C. HARRIS Dau S Female W 5 WV WV WV
    Eva HARRIS Dau S Female W 3 WV WV WV
    Arthur HARRIS Son S Male W 1 WV WV WV

Source Information:
     Census Place Glade, Barbour, West Virginia

Individual Notes

Note for: Joseph Workman, 1732 - 1813 Index

Individual Note:
PENNSYLVANIA ARCHIVES SERIES 5 VOL. 1: JOSEPH WORKMAN ENLISTED IN CHESTER CO PA, CAPT PAUL JACKSON'S CO PENN REGIMENT, MAY 6, 1758.

WYTHE CO VA TAX LISTS 1793,1796,1797, 1799.

TAZEWELL CO TAX LISTS 1802-1803, 1805, IN 1805 HE IS LISTED AS

EXEMPT FROM TAXES DUE TO OLD AGE AND INFIRMITY.

HISTORY OF WYTHE AND TAZEWELL CO VA. HE WAS ONE OF THE EARLY

SETTLERS.

Individual Notes

Note for: George Washington Brake, 13 MAR 1822 - 23 JAN 1903 Index

Individual Note:
George and Abigail were in Chequest Township, Van Buren County, Iowa by the 1850 Federal Census and probably a few years earlier, when their first children were born.

George and second wife, Mary, were in Elmira, Solano County, California in 1880, according to the Federal census. Also listed were son William, age 21, daughter Elizabeth, age 10, daughter Nancy, age 7, and daughter Olive, age 1.

In the 1900 census, George and Mary were in Oakland, Alameda County, California with children Dorothy and Charles. Mary reported she had had six children, four living.

According to internet data at GenCircles and other places, George was a descendant of Johann Jacob Brake, born 1695 in Germany and emigrated in 1736.

From THE SOLANO REPUBLICAN Jan 30, 1903:
"GEO. W. BRAKE DIES AT BAKERSFIELD.
DECEASED WAS A PIONEER OF SOLANO COUNTY.
MR. BRAKE CAME ACROSS THE DESERT TO CALIFORNIA IN 1854 AND SETTLED IN SUISON VALLEY.
In the death of George W. Brake, which occurred in Bakersfield on Friday, January 23, another one of Solano county's early settlers passed to the great beyond, whence none return.
The remains were brought to Suisun last Sunday and the funeral took place from the Finney residence north of Fairfield at two o'clock and interment was made in Fairfield cemetery. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. J. W. Robinson, pastor of the M. E. Church of FAirfield.
The pallbearers were F. B. Warner, R. D. Smith, Thos. Dickson, H. Harris, H. Boynton and A. S. Morton.
In 1854 Mr. Brake settled in Suisun Valley and continued to reside in Solano up to a few years ago. He was an honorable man, a good citizen and a true friend. He was well known by all the older settlers of the county and was highly respected by all.
A brief sketch of the life of the deceased is as follows:
George Washington Brake was born in West Virginia in 1822 and was therefore over eighty years of age at the time of his death. He was a cousin of the lamented General "Stonewall" Jackson.
His early life was spent in his native State until 1839, when he was married to Miss Abigail Workman (note - they actually married in 1845) and moved to Iowa, where they lived until 1854. During this time five children were born to them, Mrs. H. A. Mufford of Capay, California, Mrs. E. B. Aldrich, of Capay (deceased), Mrs. John McKinney(sic) (actually McKimmey) of Texas (deceased), Mrs. H. E. Finney of Suisun and the late Dow Brake of Elmira.
In 1854 Mr. Brake and family started for the Golden West with an ox team and journeyed across the wilderness and plains in an emigrant train, suffering the hardships and privations of that terrible journey.
In the fall of 1854 they arrived in Suisun Valley and settled on the place later owned by John Malchi and now owned by Ed Brown. Here another son, Will, now of Oklahoma, was born and here, too, his faithful wife, who had accompanied him to California passed away. Mr. Brake and children resided on this place until he was dispossessed by the owners of the Army grant. Then he removed to Elmira where he purchased the farm adjoining William Fry. Here he lived for a number of years, during which time he was married to Miss Mary Peters, who survives him. This second union was blessed with two children, Miss Dorothy Brake and Charles Brake of Oakland.
During his later years Mr. Brake had resided in Vacaville and Oakland and had been (a) hale and healthy man until his health began to fail and gradually declined till he passed away at Bakersfield on January 23."

Individual Notes

Note for: George William Brake, 18 NOV 1858 - MAY 1945 Index

Individual Note:
     From the 1880 Federal census:

        Census Place: El Paso, Colorado
        Source: FHL Film 1254090 National Archives Film T9-0090 Page 448C
        Relation Sex Marr Race Age Birthplace
Fred TRAUTMANN Self M S W 23 PA
        Occ: Herder Fa: --- Mo: ---
Ed BANCROFT Other M S W 21 MO
        Occ: Herder Fa: --- Mo: ---
Geo. W. BRAKE Other M S W 22 OH
        Occ: Herder Fa: --- Mo: ---
Thomas GAINER Other M S W 27 IL
        Occ: Herder Fa: --- Mo: ---
Sam SMITH Other M S B 23 VA
        Occ: Cook Fa: --- Mo: ---
Jimmy SMITH Other M S W 19 MO
        Occ: Herder Fa: --- Mo: ---
L. KRETZER Other M S W 19 MO
        Occ: Herder

Obituary in ALTUS TIMES DEMOCRAT newpaper dated May 15, 1945, page 1:
G. W. Brake, 86, retired farmer, Elmer, died at 3:40 P.M. Monday in a local hospital from a stomach illness. He had been seriously ill only about 24 hours. Brake, a prominent pioneer farmer, came to Jackson County 58 years ago from Texas, and homesteaded on a farm near Elmer, where he has made his home since. He was married 55 years ago in Elmer to Miss Rena Smith, who survives him. Funeral arrangements have not been completed pending the arrival of relatives. Services will be held in the Elmer church, and burial will be in the Elmer cemetery with the Tims-Peterson Funeral Home in charge. Survivors include his wife; four sons: G. R. Brake, Eldorado; Clinton Brake, Shawnee; Ralph Brake, Elmer, and Robert Brake in service in Germany; three daughters: Mrs. Nettie Scott, Elmer; Mrs. Blance Kviatek, Lawton, and Mrs. Ethel Austin, Frederick; several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

George came out from California on horseback with a guitar, which he played well."
from family records

Individual Notes

Note for: Eliza Ann Brake, 30 SEP 1851 - 5 APR 1931 Index

Individual Note:
Eliza had five children, only three still living in 1900.