The people's journal. (Pickens, S.C.) 1891-1903, 1896-11-19

William Mckinley, Jr., the Prcsi
dent-clcct OF the United States, ha
lived the life of typical America,
and repeats the familiar story of poor
boyhood, brave youth, struggling man
hood, successful mddle-age and honors
thick upon him as in the SOS he began
to reap where he had sown and gather
ed the fruits Of a rcsolutc life full O
inspiration for all young Americans
Coming Of good Scotch-Irish stock
with longevity one of the characters
tics on both sides of the house, the
prcsidcnt-elect has the expectation O.
equally long years Of usefulness in the
service of his country. He was borr
at Niles, O., on February 2S, 1914
whether his father had moved from
Pennsylvania, his birthplace. William
Mckinley entered the village school
in Poland, O., to which his family had
removed whom only years olG. He
remained in the schools of that town
until in his 18th year, when he made
enough money by tcacning in u nearby
district public school to pay his matric.
ulation fees in Allegheny college. He
remained at the college only u few
weeks when the call to arms for the
Civil War came and the pale-faccd,
student flung aside his books and de-
cidcd to shoulder a musket. And SO
his education in books ended and tn at
broader education of stirring events
and the ways Of mon began.
During tho war young Mckinley &C
quilted himself like q man. He was
in service in the ranks fourteen
months, but was soon promoted, Gov.
nrnor Tod made him second lieuten-
ant anu on February I 1863, he was
promoted to first lieutenant, and on
July 30, 1864, captain. This latter pro-
motion was supplemented. by his ap-
pontmCnt as adjutant general of his
brigade, and he remained upon the
1t was as assistant adjutant general
that he went through Sneridan's fam
GUS campa gns in the Shenandoah VAL
ley. White on his way to Winch G. ster
Sheridan found young Mckinley, then
only 20 years old, rallying the panic
stricken troops at Cedar Creek, and
at Berryville the young officers horse
WAS killed under MIN. "For gallant
and mcritofious services at the battle
Of Oplquan, Cedar Creek and Fish er's
Hill" reads his commission as brevet
major, and it is signed "a. Lincoln"
The war over, at % young Nick in.
ley started in to study law and was
graduated from the Albany Law School
in 1868, and soon afterward he went
into partnership with Judge Belden, q
leading lawyer of Canton. He at this
time began to interest himself in poll
tics. and in 1870 was elected prosccut
ing attorney Of Stark county, and his
popularity was such that in 1877 he
was sent TO Congress.
Major Mckinley was only 33 years
old when, in 1877, the people Of the
Canton district elected him to repre-
sent them in Congress. 1t was a Dem
0cratic House, and the new member
began his service at the foot of the
unimportant law revision con'mittee
His first term passed with no public
speech of note to bis credit, but Speak
er Samuel }. Randall had noticed the
studious application Of the young Ohio
an and his shrcwdness in committee
work. Hence, at the outset Of his
second term Mckinley was placed or
the judiciary committee next to Thomas
Brackett Reed. His ambition ant
mental promptings led him to prefe,
the ways and means committee. Hi!
congressional prominence may be sait
to have fairly begun, therefore, will
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 year
of service that would have been con
tinuous except for that portion Of the
Forty-cighth Congress when the Dom
Ocrats unscatcd him, he remained
upon the most important committee.
1t was during this time that tn
great tariff bin was passed (lS9O), ant
then after his retirement from Con
grcss tho Republicans Of Ohio honorct
him by twice clecting him governor 0
the State in '0l-'93 and '03 '05, the las
time giving him the largest pluralit
$780, ,055) ever given q gubcrnat0ria
Major Mckinley has taken prominen
part in the national Republican con
vcntlons and his name was mentione
for the presidency 1888, and again /
1892.
Mr.. McKinlcy's home life is yer
beautiful. He lives in charming res
idcnce in Canton, O., with Mrs. Nc
Kinlcy, who was Ida Saxton, daugh
ter Of the richest banker in Cantor
whom he married in 1871. Two Chi
drcn were born to them, but they bot
died in early childhood. It was 500
after the birth of the second daughtu
that tho fact became apparent tn,
Mrs. Mckinley would be q lifelon
invalid. 1t is enough to say that thi
husband and vito have never bco
parted excepting during cxigent wor
in campaigning. During his scrvic
in Washington she was always wit
him. From congressional duty to hi
wife and back to duty was the roun
Of his Washington life. While COVE,
nor of Ohio four rooms in tho Glitter
den house in Columbus Was their home
An early breakfast ard he was of t
his executive duties. 1t was remarko O
that he always lett his hotel by a sid
entrance, and when we'll across tn
street no turned and lifted his hal
while q handkerchief huttorcd for a
instant from the window Of his home
Then the governor with please
smile walked jauntily of toward tn
state house. This was repeated ever
evening, showing that loving watc
was kept at that window.