'', July 29, 1893 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 moved to
Pasadena, California and continued the practice of law.
Congress Markham was elected as a
Republican to the
49th Congress in 1884, but declined to seek renomination in 1886.
Governor He was elected governor of California in
1890 and inaugurated in January 1891. During his term, California's economy suffered badly from the
Panic of 1893. Hoping to boost economic recovery, Markham strongly backed the
California Midwinter International Exposition of 1894, held in
San Francisco's
Golden Gate Park; it was a resounding success. Markham declined to seek a second term as governor in 1894. , 1896
Later career 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," and he was a longtime member of the
Pasadena Republican Club. == Personal life ==