New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-12-13
THE PRESIDENTS MOTHER.
AN ACCOUNT OF HER LONG AND USEFUL LIFE
HER SONS COUNSELLOR.


AN ACCOUNT OF HER LONG AND USEFUL LIFE
HER SONS COUNSELLOR.
Nancy Allison Mckinley came Of a family which
long ago emgrated from England to the hills or
Virginia. The Allisons afterward removed to
Green County. Pennsylvania, where Abner Allison.
Nancy's father, born. and where he married
Ann Campbell, a OF Scotch and German
descent. Early in the present century Mr.. ana
Mrs. Allison went from Pennsylvania TO Column
biana County. Ohio. travelling by pack-horses.
On April q, 1909. near the present city OF Lisbon,
Nancy Allison born. Her girlhood was passed
her fathers farm and in 1929 she married
William Mckinley. young iron manufacturer
The couple lived first at Fairfield, and afterward
at Niles and Poland, before removing TO Canton
Nine children were born to them-David Allison
deceased; Anna deceased; James deceased: Mary.
deceased Helen Minerva. now living In Canton;
Sarah Elizabeth. now the wife OF A. J. Duncan. OF
Cleveland; William the President; Abigail Cela'
deceased and Abner whose home !s In New-1ork
William Mckinley. sr.. died in November N.Y. AT
the age OF eighty-nve years
Mrs Mckinley was a woman of sterling qualities.
frugal Industrious devout. Her patriotism was
strong and Intelligent and her mental powers were
of a superior order. After President Mckinney en-
tered Congress over twenty years ago. he was
away from his mother much OF the time until he
retired from Congress TO make the canvass LOT
Governor In 1891. During his service. from ISS- 10
1896 as Governor, he want to Canton frequently 10
visit his mother and he with her from Janu-
sry 1896 until he went 10 Washington last March
Previous to entering public life the President was
always near his parents and spent much time with
them.
The Presidents mother always took the deepest
interest in his political fortunes; and II Is SAID by
those who know the Intimate relations OF mother
and son that no never took an important step
in his career without obtaining first her counsel
and consent She was with him when he and MS
political friends and advisers received the returns
at his home in Canton from the Republican Con-
vcntion in ST. Louis in 1896. and was the hrst TO
hear Of the vote by which he was nominated. and
to give him a blessing on the night OF the election
$40 stayed by to hear the returns. although she
WIS then IN her cighty-eighth year. At the lnau-
guration last March Mrs. Mckinley saw the nap
pest moment Of her lifc. when her son took the
Presidential oath. Her visit 10 the Capital was brlet
one less than n fortnight. and she saw tho fres-
dent and his family Installed in the White House.
She was Interested in all tho sights Of washing
ton and made many excursions TO the points that
chiefly interest visitors there Notwithstanding her
advanced age.
Mrs Mckinley home-lovng woman and
the two-story frame cottage in West Tlscarawas-
s, Canton where she had lived for many years
md whore she died was dcarcr to her than any
other spot on earth There she spent her declin-
Ing days with her daughter Helen and her grand
children Grace and James Mckinley. She showed
"A fondness FOR visiting her children. and. besides
having them nj her homo as much as possible IRE
qucntly went 10 theirs. She spent one winter
with her son David in California shortly before his
death and often went 10 Somerset. Penn. to see
her son Abner as well to Plttsburg. and later
to Cleveland. the home OF the Duncans.
Prior 10 tho attack OF grip which may have
induced her fatal illness though she seemed
20 have nearly recovered from H. she was
I'm good health. and her intellect was clear
and active At her last birthday party she re-
celved over three hundred friends, and declared
af,crward that she not at ell fatigued by the
cxertion.
Mrs McKinlcy's personal appearance revealed
tho sturdy race from which she was descended.
Her face was strong yet kind. It's vigorous lines
rnoowed and chastcned by the touch o. old age
and the Affections that have not been wanting IN
her long life She deeply religious. and OF a
foith that brought serenity and spiritual uplifting
She was an especial friend OF the young ana young
people were sngularly attracted toward her
About year ago. shortly after the election
writer said I'm speaking OF her. Not even
I'm her personal habits does Mother Mckin-
ley as ihe Is Familiarity called by her nelghbors
and intimate friends. betray her years she mas no
favoritc rockingham dedicated TO her exclusive
use no nrcside corner which must not be occupied
or disturbed because 1t belongs 10 her as one OF the
| prercgativcs OF old age. The entire nome Is
none too large a field for the daily activities OF
this hardy mother Of the man who VIII In rev
/ months be inauguratcd PRESIDENT OF the 'hI'c"
states and the condition commonly described as
second childhood is wholly foreign 10 her expert
! euce While she has kept pace with the worId
/ progress she loves TO he surrounded by things OK
tho old fas honed kind which have been her fanny
| environments for half century and longer
The suddonncss OF the attack which Frustrated
! his mother ten days ago when the President was
/ under the extraordinary pressure or preparation
| for the meeting OF Congress, intensified the sym
! uothy which the country would IN any case nave
fe. with him In the prospect Of her death hls nrSt
swift trip to Canton in the hope OF comforting her
last hours: his scf-sacrihcing journey bacK 10 tue
capital in order that his private interests might
not impodc III, public business; his return TO her
bedside with little expectation OF hndng her awe
bis deem satisfaction at being recognized ana wei
coined and his constant vigil during the last
,.,k all the circumstances attending the close OF
- ionw and honored lfe-have been followed with
hoa,trsIt sollcItudc by his fellow citizens ana have
| Ic,renrd their respect for the Chlef MaSlstrate
tiso dousstir virtues they have Illustrated II has
Ia"n a mournfiil and eXhausting experience tor the
I'rasit.nt The universal hope Is that the STURDY
tn5tt,,,tion which ne inherited may enable him 10
rorcy"r quickly from the strain. ana that ne VIII
| 1.rive consolation from the knowledge that MS
49,. ~ grief and loss Is shared In every circle.