griffing@fnal.gov

1854 Letter of Albert Markham

While attending Wesleyan University at Middletown CT during the fall semester of 1854. The letter was addressed to a former chum (Gillette) who was attending Wilbraham Preparatory College in Massachusetts.

(Click on each image to enlarge it)

Universitas Wesleyana
Middletown , [CT]
October 18th, 1854  

Friend Gillett,

During a moment of leisure this evening I have been thinking of Old Wilbraham and especially of my old friend and "brother Gillett."  And being desirous to hear from you once more, permit me to address you a few lines though hastily. I have been hoping you would write me for a long time, but I believe you are not intending so to do.  Hence, it behooves me to shake off a little of my "freshmanorical" dignity -- Ahem! which (by the way) I sometimes feel about as much as "that cat" had, when she explored the posteriora of the "Ox."

Friend Gillett -- I always think of some of those stories of yours when I get thinking of you. If you have got any new ones, I'll call on my way East and hear them. What I mean by "East" is that I am expecting to teach the young ideas away down in Marlboro, Mass. next winter. But your present term will have closed before I shall commence.

Well Gillett. How goes the times there? I hear you have been perpetrating great things there in the shape of a chestnut walk!  Gillett, did you go with a Gal? My stars! It is so long since I have seen a girl that I have forgotten how they look. Xcept Miss J___ A___ P___ L___ R___ X____ and finally quite a number of those little angelic visages come up before me like day-stars through the clouds. Excuse that comparison. My imagination is not very vivid tonight for I have been reading “Livy” and it’s a little tough. But Gillett, now really, what did you do to steer girls up on the mount?

How is the Old Club? I have not heard from her for a long time. We do but a very little here at “speaking.” I have joined a public society but have not got the steam up for speaking like we used to in the Old Club. The Club is the place to cultivate that glorious gift – the gift of “telling what we know.” How progresses the new library? Please give me some of the details. We are having a very tolerable good, clever, hard-working time down here. We have got a very good class – have not been “salted” yet. Some one stole the Bible out of the chapel last night, and Prof. True, in making the prayer, prayed for the “thief” for about a half an hour much to the enjoyment of many of the Bishops.

My paper says stop. Please excuse this bundle of nonsense and write me soon.

Yours, &c.

A. Markham

Albert Markham
Photo taken years later after founding Markham Academy in Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wesleyan University, Alumni Record. Non-Graduates [1858]

ALBERT MARKHAM.  Born October 8, 1831, East Longmeadow, Massachusetts. Left College during Sophomore year. School Principal. Died February 26, 1887.

The funeral services yesterday afternoon over the remains of the late Professor Albert Markham, at his residence on Van Buren Street, were very largely attended. The gathering illustrated in some degree the sincere and widely-felt grief at the death of one universally held in such high esteem as a man, and who had met with so much success as a teacher. The services were attended by about thirty of the alumni of the academy and by the students in a body. The casket was surrounded by beautiful floral offerings given by the alumni, the students and other friends. The services were conducted by Rev. John N. Freeman, pastor of Immanuel Church who paid a feeling tribute to the deceased. "Professor Markham,' he said ' was by birth, instinct and education, a gentleman. born of New England parentage, he had at the outset of his career planned that course of his profession, which he so successfully followed. No brilliant eccentric genius was he, but a calm, earnest steadfast man, who combined with his sturdier qualities a gentle compassion and genial benevolence. If ever one had cause to feel his work well done, it was he; if everyone had cause to exult in the accomplishment of high aims, it was he...He was an educator who believed, and who introduced the belief into practice, that the inculcation of good morals, good sense, and good manners was not less important as a factor in the education of youth than instruction in the scholastic branches of an academic course and the good results of his wise instruction were to be seen around us among the young men, and the older men who have been under his instruction and care, and who are proud to testify to his influence for good, and to the love and wisdom of his kindly counsel. The results of his labor as an educator and of his qualities as a man form a record about us which all men should read.'

The remains were sent to Battle Creek for interment. The following resolutions were adopted at a meeting of the alumni in Milwaukee of the Markham Academy at the Plankinton House in that city:

"Prof. Albert Markham is dead, and we, the former pupils, alumni and students of Milwaukee and Markham Academy mourning his untimely end, and desiring to express our appreciation of his great and valuable services as a teacher, and of his character as a just and upright man do therefore

Resolve. That by the death of Prof. Markham the cause of education loses a most conscientious and energetic instructor, Milwaukee one of its worthiest citizens and his scholars a wise counselor and sincere friend.

Resolve. That we extend to his widow our heartfelt sympathy, and

Resolve. That in token of our esteem and affection we attend the funeral in a body."