Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-09-19
WILLIAM M'KINLEY.
Sketch of the Life of the President-His
Two Elections TO the ONCE.

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Sketch of the Life of the President
Two Elections Go the Omce.
William Mckinley was born at Niles,
Trumbull county, o., January 29th,
1S43. He is of Scotch Irish descent,
and his great grandfather, William
Mckinley, a native and resident of
Pennsylvania, was an enlisted soldier
In the Continental army from 1776 to
ITS. The Mckinley family removed to
Ohio in 1914, and has ever since been
| identified with the interests of that
State. Young Mckinley, who was
named after his father, was educated
in the public schools, and later enterad
Allegheny College. at Meadville. Pa.
Scarcely had he matrioulated when
the Civil War broke out. As etrip.
ling of 10 he entered as a private in
the Twenty third Ohio Regiment, COM
manded by Col. W. s. Roseorans. Stan
ley Matthews was the lieutenant
colonel and Rutherford b. Hayes the
major. the regiment WIS in almost
all of the battles in North Virginia
and Maryland, serving under McUlel-
Ian at Antiatam and under Sheridan
and Crook in the Vallsy. 1t was one
of the great fighting regiments OF the
war, and by merit and bravery Mckinney
rose to the rank of major.
After gallant record, for which he
was commended in tine orders, Mckinley
was mustered out with his regiment
July 26th, 1865, after more than four
years. continuous service. He then
began the study of law, in a private
office, and with one year at the Albany
Law School, was admitted to tho
bar in 1867 He settled at Canton,
which has since been his home, and
entered upon the practice OF his profess
sion. Although the county was Demo-
cratic, he was elected one term aa
prosecuting attorney. In 1871 he mar.
ried Miss Ida Saxton, q woman of charm
and attractions. Turning his attention
to politics, Mckinley in 1876 announced
his candidacy for Congress. After a
vigorous contest he secured the Repub-
liean nomination on the first ballot over
several competitors. He was elected,
and thus made his entrance into
national legislative life. Two years
later he was renominated, but the
Democrats gerrymandered his district,
expecting his defeat by 1880 majority.
However, Moliiniey's popularity was
such that he won by 1880 majority.
With his old district re ,tored he was
Tb-bl6Ol6u III IooU anu 1909. III 1CO4 IHb
Democrats again changed the lines,
and Mckinley was placed in district
with normal adverse majority of
1,500, but he carried it by over 1000.
Re elections followed in 1886 and 1883.
In 1890, under another Democratic
Rerrymander, Mckinley found himself
in a. district which the year before had
given a Democratic plurality of $500.
In spite of odds, he accepted a renomi-
nation. Opposed to him was ex-Lieu
tonant-Governor John W. Warwick, one
of tho most popular men in the dis
tJct. Mckinley had become national
figure. and the light AROUSED national
interest That year the tariff bill
which bore his name had been enacted
into law, aud the contest in his dis
trict was both vigorous and bitter.
Mckinley was beaten, but by a small
plurality.
Mckinley entered upon Congras-
sional life contemporaneously with the
Inauguration of Mr.. Hayes as Presi-
dent, and he soon demonstrated his
ability as a working member. He was
an ardent advocate of the doctrine of a
protective tariff, and n disciple of
Hamilton and Clay. In 1888 at the