Evening star., 1896-11-04
The Careers Of the President and
Vice President-Elect.
THEIR PUBLIC AND PRIVATE LIVES
How TheyWon Success and Public
Recognition.
L Y P G A L A NJ E r c. A n s

Fifty-three years ago on the Goth of last
January William Mckinley was born at
Niles, Tlumbull county. Ohio. He was the
seventh child of William Mckinley. Il
pioneer in the iron pudding business in
that region, and his wife Nancy. an Allison
of Scotch Covenanter stock. His greatgreat
grandfather was James Mckinley, who
crossed the Atlantic with his parents when
he was twelve years old. When grown up
ard married. he made his home In Penn
sylvania. and became the father of David
Mckinley, who fought through the revolll-
tionary war in the cause of freedom, AMI
after being honorably discharged settled in
Columbiana county. Ohio. Among his chill
dren was one James. who became the
grandfather of the present republican
leader.
With family of eight children, all of
them above the average in brightness and
intelligence, William Mckinley ST.. felt it
Incumbent on him to move to place where
better schooling could be had for his fam
lily. After his son William had spent a few
years at the villa ge school at Niles he Sc
lected Poland, in Mahoning county. Ohio
where there was an academy as it was
called in those days. and settled there
The school was a good one, and the chill
dren did well. 1t is not reported that young
Mckinley was exceptionally bright. but he
was painstaking and studious In the local
debating club, however, he early distin-
suished himself; his tastes inclined toward
argument and oratory; he soon became an
acknowledged leader, and was elected pres
ident.
Taught SCHOOL,
At sixteen he left the Poland Academy
for Allegheny College. Meadville, Pa,
where he had scarcely more than matricu-
lated when he fell i'll and was obliged to
return home. During his illness his father
suffered losses in business, which precluded
him from sending his son back to Ale
gheny. To assist in his support and to
save up enough money to complete his col
lese course. Mckinley took to school teach
ing in a district school near his home, and
earned $25 a month.
His anticipations were. however, cut short
by the breaking out Of the war between
north and south. He was now a sturdy lad
of eighteen, and no sooner had the cannon
stirred by the military spirit that pervaded
the old western reserve, he rushed TO
arms. and was enrolled as a private in
Company E of the 23d Ohio Regiment of
which William S. Rosecrans was colonel;
Stanley Matthews. lieutenant colonel, and
Rutherford b. Hayes major. For fourteen
months Mckinley carried his musket in
the ranks, and, looking back, ne thinks that
time did him more good in the lessons Of
discipline it taught him than any other
fourteen months in his life. Then, step by
step. he won his way through all the grades
by hard fighting and conscientiously doing
his duty. till he became captain. Finally
Just three months before he was mustered
out of the service, at the close of the war
he obtained the brevet rank OF major. His
commission reads: For gallant and meri-
torious service at the battles of Opequan,
Cedar Creek and Fishers HILL" 1t is sign
ed a. Lincoln.
At the close of the war Mckinley like
many others, found himself without means
and without an occupation. After a con-
ference with his sister, Anna, who was
living in Canton, the seat of Stark county,
Ohio, he determined to enter the legal pro-
feSSion.
Began the Study Of I.oxr
He commenced to study law in the office