Henry Markham Explained

Henry Harrison Markham
Order1:18th
Office1:Governor of California
Term Start1:January 8, 1891
Term End1:January 11, 1895
Lieutenant1:John B. Reddick
Predecessor1:Robert Waterman
Successor1:James Budd
State2:California
Term Start2:March 4, 1885
Term End2:March 3, 1887
Predecessor2:District created
Successor2:William Vandever
Birth Date:November 16, 1840
Birth Place:Wilmington, New York
Death Place:Pasadena, California
Party:Republican
Children:5
Occupation:Lawyer, soldier and politician
Signature:Signature of Henry Harrison Markham (1840–1923).png
Allegiance:United States
Branch:United States Volunteers
Union Army
Rank:2nd Lieutenant, USV
Serviceyears:1863 - 1865
Unit:32nd Reg. Wis. Vol. Infantry
Battles:American Civil War

Henry Harrison Markham (November 16, 1840October 9, 1923) was an American lawyer and Republican politician. He was the 18th governor of California (1891 - 1895), and represented California's 6th congressional district during the 49th United States Congress (1885 - 1887). Earlier in life, he served as a Union Army officer in the American Civil War.

Early life

On November 16, 1840, Markham was born in Wilmington, New York.

Career

During the Civil War, Markham enlisted as a private in Company G, 32nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment; he was promoted to second lieutenant. Markham was part of General William Tecumseh Sherman's March to the Sea in 1864. He was wounded at the Battle of Rivers' Bridge in 1865, and discharged.

After the war Markham returned to Wisconsin and settled in Milwaukee, where he studied law and passed the bar in 1867. He practiced law in Milwaukee in the state and federal courts. In 1879, Markham continued to practice law in Pasadena.

In 1890, Markham was elected as governor of California and inaugurated in January 1891.

In Pasadena Markham was on the school board and was one of the founders of the Pasadena public library. He was also part of the Calico Union Mining Company. During his run for governor he was referred to as "the dashing colonel from Pasadena." He was a long time member of the Pasadena Republican Club.

Personal life

On May 17, 1876, Markham married Mary A. Dana (1853–1934) in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Markham purchased a 23-acre ranch in Pasadena, California. In 1879, Markham and his family moved to Pasadena, California. They have five daughters, Marie, Alice, Gertrude, Genevieve, and Hildreth. The Markham house was located at 703 S. Pasadena Ave. After elected as governor in 1891, Markham and his family moved to Sacramento, California. On October 9, 1923, Markham died in his home in Pasadena, California. Markham was 82 years old. Markham is interred in Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena.[1] [2] [3] [4]

References

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Death Takes Former Governor H. H. Markham . . Pasadena, California . AP . 1 . October 9, 1923 . June 3, 2021 . newspapers.com.
  2. Web site: https://governors.library.ca.gov/18-Markham.html . The Governor's Gallery - Henry Harrison Markham (1891–1895) . governors.library.ca.gov . June 3, 2021.
  3. Web site: https://governors.library.ca.gov/firstladies/16-Markham.html . The First Ladies/Partners of California- Mary Markham (1891–1895) . governors.library.ca.gov . June 3, 2021.
  4. Web site: https://calisphere.org/item/a6981ad87376577a3743aaf39ff0c0a7/ . Home of Governor H.H. Markham on South Pasadena Ave, Pasadena . calisphere.org . June 3, 2021. (Note: The house was demolished in 1939.)