David John Markey

Background

David John Markey was born in Frederick, Maryland, on October 7, 1882, the son of J. Hanshew Markey and Ida Maria Willard Markey. His father was a Frederick shoe merchant and prominent local resident, while his grandfather, also named D. John Markey, owned lumber yards and mills in Frederick County. Markey attended Frederick City High School but left in 1898 to volunteer for service in the Spanish-American War with a company of the First Maryland Infantry organized in Frederick. His family had longstanding roots in Frederick County; an ancestor, Johann David Markey, had immigrated to Frederick from the Electorate of the Palatinate in 1736. Markey married Edna Mullinix on June 13, 1907, and they had two children, D. John “Jack” Markey and Mary Elizabeth Hooper.

Education

Markey attended Frederick City High School before leaving school in 1898 to volunteer for military service. He later studied at Western Maryland College and the Maryland Agricultural College, where he was recorded as a student in the early twentieth century. His education coincided with his participation in college football and preceded his transition into business, coaching, and military leadership.

Career

Markey began adult public service in 1898 by volunteering for the United States Army during the Spanish-American War. He returned to Frederick and entered the retail business, selling hats and shoes. His early involvement in athletics included playing football at Western Maryland College in 1900 and serving as an assistant coach there that year. He later played for the Maryland Agricultural College and coached its football team from 1902 through 1904, compiling a 12–13–4 record over three seasons. In 1905 he organized Company A of the Maryland National Guard in Frederick and served as its captain. He advanced to major and in 1914 was appointed to command the Western Maryland Battalion of the First Maryland Infantry, with responsibility for units in Frederick, Hagerstown, Cumberland, and Westminster. During World War I he commanded the 112th Machine Gun Battalion and later served with the 58th Infantry Brigade of the 29th Division, American Expeditionary Forces. In the fighting north of Verdun in 1918, he performed the duties of brigade adjutant while also commanding the brigade machine-gun battalion. He subsequently commanded the 115th Infantry Regiment and attained the rank of brigadier general, also serving on the United States Army General Staff. After the war he remained active in veterans’ and military affairs and served on the American Battle Monuments Commission from 1924 until his death. Under General John J. Pershing, he participated in the development of nineteen chapels and war monuments in Europe between 1933 and 1937. Markey also became a Frederick business and civic leader, serving as the first president of the Frederick Chamber of Commerce in 1912. In 1946 he stood as the Republican candidate for the United States Senate from Maryland against former governor Herbert R. O’Conor; he lost by 1,624 votes, receiving 228,152 votes to O’Conor’s 229,776.

Achievements

• Coached the Maryland Agricultural College football team from 1902 through 1904 and compiled a 12–13–4 record.

• Organized Company A of the Maryland National Guard in Frederick in 1905.

• Served as the first president of the Frederick Chamber of Commerce in 1912.

• Performed the duties of brigade adjutant while simultaneously commanding a machine-gun battalion during World War I.

• Participated in the construction and development of nineteen American war memorial chapels and monuments in Europe between 1933 and 1937.

• Nearly won the 1946 United States Senate election in Maryland, losing to Herbert R. O’Conor by 1,624 votes.

Religion

Markey was associated with the Reformed Church.

Politics

Markey was an independent political figure in his early Frederick career and later represented the Republican Party as its unsuccessful candidate for the United States Senate from Maryland in 1946.

Membership

Markey was a member and leader of the American Legion, serving as a department commander and later chairing its Military Affairs Committee. He belonged to the Army and Navy Club in Washington and to the Masonic fraternity. He also served for many years on the American Battle Monuments Commission, combining veterans’ advocacy with responsibility for the commemoration of American war dead overseas.

• Served as a department commander and chaired the organization’s Military Affairs Committee.

  American Legion , United States

• Member of the Washington, D.C., Army and Navy Club.

  Army and Navy Club , United States

• Member of the Masonic fraternity.

  Masons , United States

• Served as a commission member involved in the commemoration of American military service overseas.

  American Battle Monuments Commission , United States

  1924 - 1963

Interests

• Veterans’ affairs, military memorials, civic development, and American football.

• Sport & Clubs

  American football.

Connections

Markey was the son of J. Hanshew Markey and Ida Maria Willard Markey and the husband of Edna Mullinix Markey. He and Edna had two children, D. John “Jack” Markey and Mary Elizabeth Hooper. His family was deeply connected with Frederick County through commerce, civic life, and earlier military service.

Father:

J. Hanshew Markey

Markey’s father, a Frederick shoe merchant and prominent local resident.

Mother:

Ida Maria Markey

Markey’s mother, née Ida Maria Willard.

References

• University of Maryland Athletics: Football Head Coaching Records Documents Markey’s tenure as Maryland’s football coach from 1902 through 1904 and his 12–13–4 overall record.
• Maryland Manual, 1948–49 Identifies David John Markey as the Republican candidate opposing Herbert R. O’Conor for United States senator in Maryland.
  1949
• Maryland Manual, 1950 Records the 1946 Maryland general-election returns for O’Conor and Markey.
  1950
• Hall of Valor: David Markey Documents Markey’s Army Distinguished Service Medal, World War I service, rank of major, and duties with the 58th Infantry Brigade and 29th Division.
• Official Bulletin of the National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Provides genealogical information identifying David John Markey’s parents and maternal ancestry.
  1921