National Governors Association

HENRY HARRISON MARKHAM was born in Wilmington, New York, on November 16, 1840. He was educated in the local schools and Wheeler's Academy in Vermont. During the Civil War, he enlisted, was wounded twice in battle, and was honorably discharged. Markham studied and practiced law in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, before moving to Pasadena, California, in 1878. He served as director of the Los Angeles National Bank, the San Gabriel Valley Bank, and the Southern California Oil Supply Company. Markham entered politics when he was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, serving from March 4, 1885, to March 3, 1887. He then was appointed on March 16, 1889, to serve on the board of managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. On November 4, 1890, Markham was elected governor, and on January 8, 1891, he was sworn into office. During his term, Stanford University opened, electricity replaced gaslights in the capitol, and legislation passed restricting the immigration of Chinese. Governor Markham urged for and was successful in his efforts in attracting visitors and new residents to the state, with a Mid-Winter Exposition he launched in 1894. After leaving office on January 11, 1895, Markham returned to the board of managers of the National Home for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers. He served in that capacity until his death on October 9, 1923, and is buried at the Mountain View Cemetery, Pasadena, California.

Sources:

Official Records:California State Archives

Personal Papers:

Image source: California State Library: Governors' Gallery

Governors of California 1849-2002

Sobel, Robert, and John Raimo, eds. Biographical Directory of the Governors of the United States, 1789-1978, Vol. 1, Westport, Conn.; Meckler Books, 1978. 4 vols.