William Markoe (1820–1916)

Grandfather of Fr. John Markoe, SJ 

Born in Philadelphia on July 25, 1820 to John Markoe and Mehitable Cox, William Markoe came of age during a time of rapid American expansion. William Markoe led an extraordinary life marked by spiritual conviction, civic engagement, and scientific curiousity. After moving west with his mother, William eventually settled in St. Paul, Minnesota, where he became a respected figure in civic and social life. He married Maria Dorsey Cox, and together they raised five children.

He was the paternal grandfather of Fr. John Markoe and played a large role in the family's geographical location in Minnesota and their family's location in the Roman Catholic church.  Originally ordained in the Episcopal Church, he first moved to St. Paul, Minnesota in 1856, where he made a profound shift and renounced his orders and embraced Roman Catholicism (Markoe Papers, B12 F8). This shift would echo generations throughout generations of the Markoe family, laying a spiritual foundation that would influence Fr. Markoe's own life of service. 

Quickly becoming involved in his community, William Markoe helped draft the first charter for the state reform school and oversaw St. Paul's first parish school. He also built the first cottage on White Bear Lake, establishing one of the region's earliest residential landmarks (Markoe Papers, B12 F8). 

William Markoe's legacy extrended beyond education and community building, he quite literally soared above the rest. In September 1857, he made Minnesota's first balloon ascension. Markoe piloted a homemade air baloon named The Minnesota alongside fellow St. Paul resident William S. Crawford. The 126 feet in circumference and 50 feet high balloon carried the two men 45 miles in an hour and a half, providing the first aerial view of Minnesota. The flight marks a milestone in the state's scientific history (Markoe Papers, B12 F8). 

William lived to the remarkable age of 96, bearing witness to a century of profound change and helping to shape the early identity of Minnesota’s capital. From identifying the waters of the St. Croix River and the town of Shakopee from above, to inspriing a generation of innovators, William Markoe's journey to Minnesota helped shape both a place and a family legacy. 

For further information see Markoe Papers, B12, F7