The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-11-05
'MlLLlAM M'KiNLEY, JR.
BoEa 10 0hseatlty and Reared In Poverty
ae Rapidly Went to tha Top.
SOLDIER, LAWYER AND PUBLIC MAN
Ais scotch.irish Indnssry and Encr.
~ Caused Him TO Reach High
Places In Has a md Nation
congressman and Governor-YwicO
Declined Frcsiden ial Nomination.

astsrsN-EEfr- ~ --
Wiliam Mckinley. Ja., was born ut
Niles, Ohio. January 20, 1S43. His an
cestors ave him Scotch-Irish blood of
ssfhe best quality. and they were Ameri-
gcan citizens before the dawn of the Rev
Speverty, fighting as a soldier when not
yet a man, elected to Congress and
made Governor of the State of his birth,
lie was finally put forward for the high
est position In the land. The McKinleys
moved to Poland, in Mahoning county.
when William was not quite l6, and he
studied in the academy there. His stud
lies were interrupted by the outbreak of
Sthe war.
ENTERED THE ARMY.
He answered the call, and was one of
company formed in his home, the
Poland Guards. They became Company
70, of the T~wenty-third Ohio, one of the
ITO battle against the C~onfederacy. They
marched to Youngstown. md at Camp
Chase. near Columbus, Joined the regi-
S1nent and entered upon actual service.
g the regiment and of Mckinley. en-
president Hayes wrote before his death:
.sHather more than thirty years ago 1
made the acquaintance of Major Nc
SKinley. He was then n boy, had Just
passed the age of IL. He, with me, en-
tered upon a new strange life-a SOL
4 NtSAeS iiASgiA Nv rNiliie VI aCCual war.
I'VE were in a fortunate regiment. Its
AcSsone was William s. Rosecrans. It's
1ieutenant colonel was Stanley Mat
theWs. Young as he was, we soon found
that in business young Mckinley was n
man OF rare capacity, of unusual and
unsurpassed activity, especially for n
hoy of his age. When battles were
Fought or service was to be performed
In warlike. things. he always took his
Tplace. Tn night was never too dark,
Atna won hnr NCno ~ ~ 1@Il. tt..e
was no sleet, no storm or hail or snow or
rain that was in the way of his prompt
efficient performance OF duty
he became commissary sergeant, and
then was promoted to a second %lieuten-
antcy for gallantry ut the battle of An
stietam. He saw heavy fighting all
through the great struggle and was
a preyeted major in March, 1865.
STUDIED LAW.
The war at an md, he returned to po-
land and began the study of law with
Judge Charles e. Gliddin. During this
time he went to Albany, N. Y, and
TOOK q course in law there. He vas
! admitted to the bar in 1867, and, leaving
Poland In the spring of that year. be-
gan to practice in Canton. Two years
later. in the face of great Democratic
opposition, he was elected County Pros
q ecutor- He held office for two years
nnd then was defeated for reelection.
SENT TO CONGRESS.
He was elected to Congress in 1876.
when he was in his 33d year. He served
4 until lsso. when he was defeated. during
n winch time he was "a member of the
Committee on Revision Of Laws, the Ju-
= diciary Committee, the Committee on
expenditures In the Postofnce Depart
ss lmsnt and the Committee on Rules.
Mhen GARFIELD was nominated for the
presidency Mr.. Mckinley was assigned
4 the vacancy on the COMMITTEES on
W n Means. He served there until
me expiration of his last term as Con-
gresham. While chairman of this
he lent his knowledge of the
sa ArI1n TO the bill which bears his name.
DECLINED THE NOMINATION.
Twice Mr.. Mckinley put from him a
II nomination that would have been pur-
4Snased at the expense of broken pledges.
he was compelled to accept the third
" Saii. In 1855. at the National conven-
tion, when a fourth ballot was being
Itst,Ior PRESIDENT, a delegate from Con-
Aeelcut cast his vote for Mckinley.
aIne Major rose to his feet in an in
st a and In a speech frequently in
I corrupted by applause. said that though
ne was not insensible to the honor, in
tne presence of the duty resting upon
nun ne could o keep silence with
Donor. He was pledged to John Sher-
man, and was pledged to use every
worthy endeavor to effect his nomina.
Ion, 4 do not request" said he. "I
6 gemand that no delegate who would not
east a reflection upon me shall cast .
ballot for me-"
n second time was at Minneapolis.
souryear later. When Ohio was reach
g on the call for the first ballot for
crescent, the leader OF the delegation
N Its vote for Mckinley. Tn.
y IGOR and galleries broke into q tumult
Epf applause.
I challenge the vote Of Ohio!" shout
Ii g MI. McKinley. He attempted to pre-
StNeht Inc vote being cast for him. hut
Sanotner vote taken stood As for him and
ss ZOE Harrison. TIL man from Indiana
~ course, was nominated, and McKin.
10y aid all In his power to secure his
CHOSEN GOVERNOR.
MT. Mckinley became Governor Of
Nhio In 1881, and was overwhelmingly
4 Sescted to a second term. Personally.
tlssls o charming ma to meet. He has
g prepossesslng presence, though in
conversation he rarely develops brill
liancy or ready wit. He depends more
upon studied forms and sounded phrases
30 impress those he meets with the nro-
3undtty of his craftsmanship. Yet mo
fone would call him -pedantic. Dienitv
u repose rather thar force and Or.
zion, appear as his strong characteris-
MARRIED.
He married Miss Ada Sarton, of Can
Ton. on JanI1ary Of. 1871 Sra oo-s