The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1901-09-14
HIS NOBLE LIFE.
Story Of VIM. McKInIey's Rise
From the Ranks.
As a Child He Felt the Pinch of
Poverty.
THEN A BOY SOLDIER.
Went Out a Private and Return
ed Q Major.
Entered the Practice of Law
and Won HonOrs.
Then Sent to Congress and Be-
came 0hiO's Governor.
THEN A BOY SOLDIER.

william Mckinley, soldier, statesman
and president. Will 90 down in history
as an American of the highest type
SAYS a writer in the Chicago RECORD
Herald. In personality and achieve
ment his career embOdies those qual-
ties and triumphS that constitute the
choicest fruits OF AmericaniSm- OF
humble birth and reared among q
simple folk, he arose steadily by ms
own efforts to the proudest posltloh
open to men, and throughout MS spieh-
did progress his manhood remained IN
sullied by a single blemish
In Washington. which has known him
intimately for nearly twenty years,
William Mckinley has been more than
a man and only little less than an idol
He lowered like a giant above most
Americans. He was beloved for MS
geniality and his democracy. He was
admired for his ability as legislator
and magnetism Of his OratOry-
HIS LIFE SPOTLESS-
Quiet dignified and modest, true as
steel to his friends. unhesitating at the
call of duty as ready to face hostile
sentiment as hostile bullets, unswerv-
ing in integrity. full of tact in over
coming opposition. cOnciliatory and YET
unyielding on vital principles, with prl-
Nate life as SpOtiess as SelI-Sacrlncins,
q disposition unspOiled by success and
an ambition that put the public veal
before all else. a husband whose untlr-
ing devotion IS fit subject for an epic.
and with a heart full of sympathy for
the tOiling masses, William Mckinley
offers a shining example of American
character and reveals the noble traits
that endeared him to what that other
great c0mmoner, Lincoln, called the
plain people.
As a child he felt the pinch of pow
erty. and learned the useful lesson of
frugality- AS boy he marched to the
war as private and came back with
s.
Cling country lawyer he championed
the cause Of the working masses. The
duties Of prosecuting attorney OF an
important Ohio county gave him an in
sight into the woes and sufferings of
humanity.
ROSE TO HIGH HONOR.
In the halls of legislation and in the
executive chairs of state and nation he
served his fellow citizens with patriotic
singleness Of purpose and rose steadily
to the crOWning hOnOrs of the world
such. briefly, are the man and the Off
ciaI known TO Washington, an incar-
nation of Americanism which has
wrought so much for the happiness of
the people, the prosperity of the coun-
try and the progress Of the race. and
as an American had but few peers.
William Mckinley was born at Niles
Ohio. January %. 1913 His ancestry is
generally classed as ScOtch-Irish but
there were in it strains of German and
English blood The great-great-g
father, James Mckinley, came to
America as a boy of y and settled in
Pennsylvania His son David served
in the revolutionary war, and in 1914
moved to Ohio From him was de-
scended James Mckinley whose son
William became the father of the pres
ident William Mckinley ST., az the
age Of p married Nancy Allison, who
lived to see her distinguished son oc-
cupying the White House
PROMISE IN BOYHOOD
Niles in 1913 was one of the smallest
towns in Ohio, little more than a trad
ing place for neighboring farmers.
Wishing TO give their large family Of
children better educational facilities.
the father and mother decided to move
to Poland. which boosted an academy.
The father was the manager of an iron
furnace at Niles and continued his
work there, returning home every Sat
urday to visit his wife and children
over sunday 1t was this association
with the iron business in its pioneer
days that shaped the future states
mans thoughts and made him the apos-
tie OF protection for infant industries
During this period at Poland young
Mckinley studied at the academy, led
the village debating society often re-
heNed the postmaster. tried his ability
as g. teacher, and was marked as the
most promising boy of the community
It was there in 1858 that he became a
member Of the Methodist church q con-
necton that he has maintained through
OUT HE. Wnen III years old he left
Poland to pursue a course of study alt
Allegheny college, but sudden illness
compelled him to return home. and. soon
aIte ward, ike many young Americans
before ana since, ne began his active
career in life by teaching school. He
was thus employed through the winter
of 1901
SERVICE AS A SOLDIER
he went from his schOOlmas ter's desk
into the army. He was but a how of
Is, but he had learned abolitfonisnn AT
the hearthStone. When Lincoln called
hTr.Tl~ 4r-f..
OF the nrst to enlist He entered Com
panT z OF the Twenty-third Ohio in
1antry as q private, and he soon saw
active service. For fourteen months he
trudged in the ranks. and he vas
singled out for commissary sergeant
de displayed such conspicuous ga ntrv
az Anrietam as to attract the notice Of
ms SuperlorS and win a commission a (
second lieutenant In later wears vs-bsT7
ne had risen to be governor of the great
state Of Ohio. the simple genuineness
OF MS nature was proved BY this COM
ment on that period in his career
always look back with pleasure
upon those fourteen months which /
served In the ranks. They taught me
g. great deal was but a scboolboy-
when I went into the army ana rhat
frst year was a formative period II, ~
ire during which I learned much ri
men and life ! have always baa-, erIs7
that I entered the service ass q 49, -
pacity."
BREvET FOR CALAMITY.
Mch1niey's regiment saw much fight
ING IN the eastern campaigns He was
promoted TO hrst lieutenant and captain
Anu IN 1854 was brevetted major nv
. ls5leene Lincoln for gallant and mer-
1torlous services at the battles Of
Opequan. Cedar Creek and Fishers
Hill During a part of the time he
served on the stan Of Generals r. r
<1Ssyes, crook sheridan and Hancock.
ne was tempted to remain in the
sIinY, put at the request of his father
ne decided to return to civil life and
= - mustered cut in September, 1865
re was then IN his twenty-third wear
lstoznang e Poland. ha took Up the