The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-11-17
M'KINLEY AND HOBART.
THE NEXT PRESIDENT AND VICE-PRESIDENT
AND THEIR FAMILIES
The Familiar Stories of Poor Boyhood and Struggling
Manhood Repeated--Typical Americans
of the Same Age

William Mckinley, Jr., the Presi-
dent-elect of the United States, has
lived the life Of typical American
and repeats the familiar story of poor
boyhood, brave youth, struggling man.
hood, successful middle-age and honors
thick upon him as in the SOS he began
to reap where no had sown and gather
ed the fruits pf a resolute life full OF
inspiration for all young Americans.
! Coming of good Scotch-Irish stock,
with longevity one of the characteris-
tics on both sides of the house, the
president-elect has the eXpectato on of
equally long years of usefulness in the
service of his country. Hc was born
at Niles, o., on February %, 1911,
whether his father had moved from
, Pennsylvania, his birthplace. William
Mckinley entered the village school
In Poland, o., to which his family had
removed when only 5 years ole. He
remained in the schools OF that town
until in his 18th year, when he made
enough money by teaching in a nearby
districtpublic school to pay his matric.
ulation fees in Alleg college. He
remained at the college only few
weeks when the call to arms for the
Civil War came and the pale-faced,
gray-eyed, earnest and patriotic young
student flung aside his books and de-
cided to shoulder musket And 30
his education in books ended and that
broader education of stirring events
and the ways of men began.
During the war young Mckinley ac-
quilted himself like a man. He was
in service in the ranks fourteen
months, but was soon promoted, Gov
Nod 40 i'm,
ant and on February 7, 1868, he was
promoted to first lieutenant, and on
July 35, 1864, captain. This latter pro-
motion was supplemented by his ap-
pointment as adjutant general of his
brigade, and he remained upon the
statf until mustered out in July, 1865.
1t was as assistant adjutant general
that he went through Sheridan's fam
GUS campaigns in the Shenandoah Val
| Icy. While on his way to Winchester
Sheridan found young Mckinley, then
only 20 years old, rallying the panic
stricken troops Mt Cedar Creek, and
| at Berryyille the young officers horse
was killed under him. For gallant
and mcritorious services at the battle
of Opiquan, Cedar Creek and Fishers
| Hill" reads his commission as brevet
major, and it is signed ga. Lincoln"
The war over, at % young McKin-
ley started in to study law and was
, graduated from the Albany Law School
in 1868, and soon atterward he went
into partnership with Judge Belden, a
! leading lawyer Of Canton. He at this
time began to interest himself in poll
tics, anu in 1870 was elected prosecut.
ing attorney Of Stark county, and his
popularity was such that in 1877 he
was sent to Congress-.
Ms iOr Nick [lnIpv WAS on1v "A veorc
Gid when, in 1877, the people OF the
Canton district GieGtSd MIN to repre-
sent them in Congress. Ii was'a Dem.
ocratic House, and the new member
began his service at the foot of the
unimportant law revision committee.
His first term passed with no public
speech OF note to his credit, but Speak
er Samuel j. Randall had noticed the
studious application Of the young Ohio.
an and his shrewdness in committee
work. Hence, at the outset Of his
second term Mckinley was placed on
| the judiciary committee next to Thomas
mental promptings led him to prefer
the ways and means committee. His
congressional prominence may be said
to have fairly begun, therefore, with
the retirement of Garfield from the
ways and means committee after his
election to the presidency in 1880.
Mckinley was appointed to the va
cancy, and from then until he retired
from Congress in 1891, after ten years
OF service that would have been con-
tinuOus except for that portion OF the
Forty-eighth Congress when the Dem
Ocrats unseated hiln, he remained
upon the most important committee.
1t was during this time that the
| mi Il
then after his retirement from Con-
gress the Republicans OF Ohio honored
him by twice electing hiut governor of
the State in '9l-'93 and '93-'95, the last
time giving him the largest plurality
| (SO,9 ,955) ever given gubernatorial
candidat in Ohio in time Of peace.
Major Mckinley has taken a prominent
part in the national Republican con-
ventions and his name was mentioned
| for the presidency 1888, and again in
| 1892.
MIR. McKinlcys home life is very
beautiful. He lives in a charming res
idence in Canton, o., with Mrs. Nc
| Kinley, who was Ida Saxton, daugh-
| whom he married in 1871. Two chill
, dren were born to them, but they both
died in early childhood. 1t was soon
after tho birth of the second daughter
4
that the fact became apparent that
Mrs. Mckinley would be lifelong
invalid 1t is enough to say that this
husband and wife have never been
parted excepting during exigent work
in campaigning During his service
in Washington she was always with
him. From congressional duty to his
wife and back to duty was the round
of his Washington life. While COVER
nor of Ohio four rooms in the Chittcl-
den house iu Columbus was their home.
An early breakfast and he was off to
his executive duties. 1t was remarked
that he always lett his hotel by side
entrance, and when well across the
street he turned and lifted his hat,
while handkerchief huttered for an
instant from the window of his home.
Then the governor with pleased
smile walked jauntily OF toward the
state house. This was repeated every
evening, showing that loving watch
vas kept at that window.