Henry Harrison Markham (November 16, 1840October 9, 1923) was an American lawyer and Republican politician. He was the

18th 18 (eighteen) is the natural number following 17 and preceding 19. In mathematics * Eighteen is a composite number, its divisors being 1, 2, 3, 6 and 9. Three of these divisors (3, 6 and 9) add up to 18, hence 18 is a semiperfect numb ...

governor of California The governor of California is the head of government of the U.S. state of California. The governor is the commander-in-chief of the California National Guard and the California State Guard. Established in the Constitution of California, t ...

(1891–1895), and represented California's 6th congressional district during the

49th United States Congress The 49th United States Congress was a meeting of the legislative branch of the United States federal government, consisting of the United States Senate and the United States House of Representatives. It met in Washington, D.C. from March 4, 1885 ...

(1885–1887). Earlier in life, he served as a

Union Army During the American Civil War, the Union Army, also known as the Federal Army and the Northern Army, referring to the United States Army, was the land force that fought to preserve the Union (American Civil War), Union of the collective U.S. st ...

officer in the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by Names of the American Civil War, other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union (American Civil War), Union ("the North") and t ...

Early life

On November 16, 1840, Markham was born in

Wilmington, New York Wilmington is a town in Essex County, New York, United States. The population was 1,253 at the 2010 census. The town is named after the nearby town of Wilmington, Vermont. Wilmington is on the county's northern border and is southwest of Platts ...

Career

During the

Civil War A civil war or intrastate war is a war between organized groups within the same state (or country). The aim of one side may be to take control of the country or a region, to achieve independence for a region, or to change government polici ...

, Markham enlisted as a private in Company G,

32nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment The 32nd Wisconsin Infantry Regiment was a volunteer infantry regiment that served in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Service The 32nd Wisconsin Infantry was organized at Camp Bragg in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, and mustered into servic ...

; he was promoted to second lieutenant. Markham was part of General

William Tecumseh Sherman William Tecumseh Sherman ( ; February 8, 1820February 14, 1891) was an American soldier, businessman, educator, and author. He served as a general in the Union Army during the American Civil War (1861–1865), achieving recognition for his com ...

's March to the Sea in 1864. He was wounded at the

Battle of Rivers' Bridge The Battle of Rivers' Bridge (also known as the Action at Rivers' Bridge) was a battle of the American Civil War fought on February 3, 1865. Order of battle Confederate Commander: Major General Lafayette McLaws * Harrison's Brigade: Colonel G ...

in 1865, and discharged. After the war Markham returned to Wisconsin and settled in

Milwaukee Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at the 2020 census, Milwaukee i ...

, 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 Waukesha ( ) is the county seat of Waukesha County, Wisconsin, United States. It is part of the Milwaukee metropolitan area. Its population was 71,158 at the 2020 census. The city is adjacent to the Village of Waukesha. History The area tha ...

. Markham purchased a 23 acre ranch in

Pasadena, California Pasadena ( ) is a city in Los Angeles County, California, northeast of downtown Los Angeles. It is the most populous city and the primary cultural center of the San Gabriel Valley. Old Pasadena is the city's original commercial district. ...

. In 1879, Markham and his family moved to

. 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

. Markham was 83 years old. Markham is interred in Mountain View Cemetery in

Altadena Altadena () ("Alta", Spanish for "Upper", and "dena" from Pasadena) is an unincorporated area and census-designated place in the Verdugo Mountains region of Los Angeles County, California, approximately 14 miles (23 km) from the downtown L ...

.(Note: The house was demolished in 1939.)

References

* *Treasure from the Painted Hills: A History of Calico, California, 1882-1907, page 18, By Douglas W. Steeples, David O. Whitten

External links

* *
Caltrans houses added to national listing for Markham Place Historic District at pasadenastarnews.com (2013)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Markham, Henry Harrison 1840 births 1923 deaths Governors of California People from Essex County, New York People from Pasadena, California People of Wisconsin in the American Civil War Republican Party governors of California Wisconsin Republicans Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from California