Biographical Sketch of

Walter Giles Markham

Transcribed by Sandra Boudrou for the Marquette Co WI Pages


Source: Portrait and Biographical Album of Green Lake, Marquette and Waushara Counties, Wisconsin, 
published 1890 by Acme Publishing Co., Chicago, Pages 740 - 741 - 742 


Walter Giles Markham, who resides on section 10, in the town of Green Lake, is numbered among the first settlers of 
Green Lake County, and is one of its most highly esteemed citizens.  He was born in Oneida County, N. Y., Oct. 30, 
1819, and is of English descent.  Tradition traces the ancestry of the family back to four brothers of English birth, 
who left their home across the water and settled in the New England States.  The grandfather of our subject, Abijah 
Markham, during his earlier years engaged in farming in New Hampshire, but afterward removed to New York, locating 
in a wild and unsettled region of that State.  He became the father of sixteen children, of whom Walter Markham was 
the youngest.  The maternal grandfather, Nathan Clark, and his father were both Revolutionary soldiers.  He married 
a Miss Phillips, and seven children were born unto them.  That family also settled in the Empire State at an early 
day.
 
Walter Markham, father of our subject, was born in Berkshire County, N. H., on the 4th day of June, 1789, but when a 
lad removed with his parents to New York, where he was reared to manhood.  In Oneida County he became acquainted with 
Miss Lydia Clark, the eldest child of Nathan Clark, and they were there married.  Having engaged in farming in Oneida 
County for some time, in 1831 Mr. Markham removed with his family to Erie County, where his wife died, leaving five 
children, three sons and two daughters.  Subsequently he wedded Mrs. Ann (Groff) Markham, who lived only a few years, 
and at her death left two children.  He was then joined in wedlock with Huldah Moulter, and together they removed to 
Wisconsin in 1867, settling in Green Lake Township, Green Lake County.  Mr. Markham served his country as a soldier 
in the War of 1812, and received a land warrant from the Government.  By occupation he was a farmer, and followed that 
business throughout his entire life.  Religiously, he was a Methodist, and politically a Democrat.  He died in January, 
1875, a respected and honored citizen.
 
Walter Giles Markham was the third child born of his father's first marriage.  In the usual manner of farmer lads, he 
was reared to manhood and has engaged in agricultural pursuits during almost his entire business career.  He received 
an academic education and on the completion of his school life, he engaged in teaching, following that profession 
through several terms.  Believing that the West furnished better opportunities for young men, and that he could more 
readily secure a farm for himself on its broad prairies, he emigrated to Wisconsin the summer of 1845, reaching Green 
Lake County on the 31st day of August.  Shortly after his arrival he entered the farm on which he now resides.  It then 
comprised only eighty acres, but it exhausted his means to pay the small price asked by the Government.  His efforts as 
a farmer have been very successful, however; his financial resources increased, and he extended the boundaries of his 
farm, until at one time 428 acres of fine land paid tribute to his care and cultivation.  Desiring to see his children 
comfortably settled in life, he has since given to them portions of his land, retaining for himself 180 acres.
 
On the 13th day of December, 1849, Mr. Markham was united in marriage with Miss Sarah A. Swift, a native of Barre, Orleans 
Co., N. Y., born May 14, 1830.  Her father, Moses B. Swift, was a native of Dutchess County, N. Y., and on reaching manhood 
wedded Miss Fannie Hitchcock, who was also born in the Empire State.  They began their domestic life in Orleans County, where 
they resided until 1846, when they emigrated to Green Lake County, Wis., settling near Little Green Lake, where they spent 
the remainder of their lives.  He was a blacksmith by trade, but followed farming after his removal to the West.  He took an 
active part in public affairs, and held many offices of honor and trust, both in his native State and in Wisconsin.  He was 
a soldier in the War of 1812, and for his services received a land warrant.  He became one of the most extensive land owners 
in this part of the country, but was very generous with his wealth, giving freely for the support of all public enterprises, 
and extending a helping hand to the poor and needy.  He will long be remembered for his many acts of kindness and deeds of 
charity, for the recipients of his bounty are many.  He supported the Whig party in early life, but afterwards became a 
Republican.  He died at the age of seventy-six years, in 1867, and his wife departed this life in 1851, when fifty-five 
years of age.  In their family were eight children, of whom only two are now living:  Elmira L., now Mrs. O'Ruark, and Mrs. 
Markham.  
 
We now return to the history of our subject.  On his marriage he settled upon the farm which has since been his home, and 
there, by his union with Miss Swift, a family of six children were born, namely:  Fannie Z., now the wife of F. W. Perry; 
Walter B., William E., Charles N., Lydia A., now Mrs. J. A. Kiser, and Frank L.  The children received good educational 
advantages, being thereby fitted for the practical duties of life, and have now become useful and honored members of society.  
As they left the parental roof the father gave to each a portion of the lands which he had acquired, thus enabling them to 
begin life without the struggles and hardships which he endured.
 
In political sentiment Mr. Markham is a Republican.  On attaining his majority he cast his ballot with the Democratic party, 
later became a Freesoiler, and subsequently joined the ranks of the party of which he is now a warm advocate.  He has been 
called upon to fill various official positions.  A short time after his arrival he was elected Register of Deeds, and he has 
also held the office of Side Supervisor for several terms, and was Chairman of the Town Board for two terms.  Few men have 
been longer residents of the county than he.  For almost forty-five years he has resided upon the farm which is still his 
home, and has not only been a witness of the growth and progress which have taken place through all these years, but has 
been an active participant in the rapid changes and transformation which have placed the county in its present advanced 
position.  When called upon to aid in public affairs he has never refused his assistance if he believed the enterprise a 
worthy one.  He is known throughout the entire county, and no one is more greatly respected than Walter G. Markham, the 
honored pioneer.
 
 





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