Biographical Sketches

JOHN H. MARKHAM, M. D.

Late of Kansas City, was born in Halifax, England, November 26, 1829, a son of John H. and Susan (Gray) Markham, also natives of the same country. His father was a physician, surgeon and druggist, and died in England when about 48 years of age. His wife survived him until August, 1862, and passed away at the age of 59. Both were strict Wesleyan Methodists, and the father was a local preacher and class-leader in his church. In their family were 11 children, of whom the eldest is the subject of this sketch and the only surviving one. The paternal grandfather, Richard Markham, was born in England and died at the age of 84. He was also a physician and a farmer and was a member of the Episcopal church. The great-grandfather likewise bore the name of Richard Markham, and devoted his energies to the practice of medicine, so that it was but natural that our subject should have a strong inclination toward this calling. The maternal grandfather of our subject, Robert Gray, was a brewer in Boston, Lincolnshire, England, and belonged to the Gloucestershire-Grays. At the age of 42, while engaged in collecting money, he was murdered. His family was a very large one, numbering 16 children. 

Dr. Markham, of this review, was reared and educated in England, was trained in the faith of the Wesleyan Methodist church, and became a local preacher of that denomination. He also studied medicine at that time under Dr. Gledhill, of Halifax, and pursued his studies at Guy's College, where he graduated in 1858. He practiced first in London, as assistant to Dr. Fawthorp. In 1862 he came to America with the intention of joining the Army, but instead went to Colorado, where he engaged in prospecting until 1874. He then located in St. Louis, where he engaged in the practice of medicine for a year, and in 1875 established an office at Pleasant Hill, Cass county, Missouri, where he remained until 1877, after which time he resided in Kansas City. 

He was married in 1857 to Miss Maggie Johnson, by whom he had 2 children - John and Samuel, both now in England. The mother was a member of the Christian church, and died in 1861. In 1874 the Doctor wedded Miss Annie McKenna, who died in 1881, and he himself departed this life February 2, 1896, his death being caused by the effect of an accident sustained on the 5th street cable one week previously. 

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This page was last updated August 2, 2006.