Convas E. Markham, of Fulton, teacher and farmer, well known in Schoharie County as Professor Markham, was born in this town, August 10, 1843, son of Alden, Jr., and Catherine (Cook) Markham. Through his father he traces his ancestry (by what line we have not been informed) to John Alden of the "Mayflower" company of Pilgrims who settled at Plymouth.
Professor Markham's paternal grandparents, Alden Markham, Sr., and Elizabeth Pease Markham, were born, bred, and married in the State of Connecticut. Soon after their marriage they migrated westward to Otsego County, New York, where, in the town of Worcester, the grandfather took up a tract of forest-covered land, from which he cleared the timber and improved a homestead. He became actively identified with the interests of the town, and, while establishing a home for himself and family, also assisted in developing the resources of that section of the State. He was among the leading farmers of the community, and for many years served as Justice of the Peace. He lived there until well advanced in years, and then went to Massachusetts, where he died at the age of seventy-eight. His wife, who bore him seven children, also lived to a ripe old age. Both were Baptists in their religious beliefs.
Alden Markham, Jr., was born and educated in Otsego County; and, having been reared to agricultural pursuits, he followed farming for some years. He also taught during the winter terms in Otsego County for a while, and later on for a few terms in Richmondville, Schoharie County. In 1838, or soon after, he accepted a position in the public schools of Fulton; and, being pleased with this locality, he subsequently invested his money here in a farm, and resumed life as an agriculturist. A few years afterward he removed to Massachusetts, where he spent his remaining days, passing away at the age of forty-nine years. His wife, whose maiden name was Catherine D. Cook, was born in the western part of Fulton, being a daughter of Nathaniel Cook, an extensive farmer, who spent his life of threescore and ten years in this town. Mrs. Markham died at the early age of thirty-nine years, having borne her husband five children. Four of this family are now living, namely: Convas E.; Asher; Luther O., who for a quarter of a century has been Superintendent of Schools at Haverstraw, New York; and Elizabeth, wife of E. W. Haverly. Both parents were persons of eminent piety, and active members of the Baptist church.
Convas E. Markham began teaching in the district schools when but sixteen years old. He afterward took a full course of study at the Schoharie Academy, and still further fitted himself for a teacher by attending the Albany Normal School, from which he was graduated in 1869. He has since taught in various towns, including Fulton, where he commenced his career, Gallupville, in whose schools he was employed twelve consecutive years, and Esperance. He also taught several years in Piermont and Haverstraw, Rockland County. Since his marriage he has resided on his farm of one hundred acres in Fulton, and, in addition to his professional labors in this vicinity, has been prosperously engaged in general farming and dairying. He is one of the oldest and best known teachers of the county.
Mr. Markham married Carrie Loudon, of Fulton, a graduate of the Normal School, and for some years prior to her marriage a teacher in the public schools. She was born in Fulton, being a daughter of Stephen Loudon, of whom a biographical sketch appears elsewhere in this volume.