Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1901-09-16
SKETCH OF M'KINLEY

William Mckinley, shot down by an
assassin at the Buffalo exposition
September 6, was born at Niles,
Trumbull county, O., Jan. 20, 1913.
The McKinleys originally came from
Pennsylvania, whence they emfgrated
more than 200 years ago. The name
has been associated with the history
of the republic since the days of the
revolution. The presidents grand
father, Daniel Mckinley, was sol
der under Washington and distin-
guished himself at Brandyw1ne. Ger
mantown and Monmouth One of the
most cherished relics of the old home
stead at Canton is a faded continen-
tai suit that the grandfather wore at
Valley Forge and other scenes
memorable in the early struggle Of
the nation.
The presidents father did not i'm
bibe the warlike ardor of his sire.
William Mckinley, ST., was regarded
as an Industrious and prosperous iron
manufacturer. He was a republican
OF the old school and it was from him
that the future president got his ideas
about proter ton. The elder McK1n-
ley lived to the grand old age of So,
dying in 1892, after his son had served
the nation in many capacities, not
living, as he had wished, to see him
installed in the highest Office in the
land Mother" Mckinley, as she was
affectionately called in Canton, was
spared to see her boy president.
Enters the Army.
Like all young men of his age Nc
Kinley looked about for some employ
ment where he might have some
reasonable assurance of emolumenr.
The civil war coming on he had not
| long to hesitate. A detachment came
on. from Washington, stopped near his
home and William Mckinley prompt
| ly enlisted as a private soldier. The
regiment upon being mustered into
service was styled the Twenty third
! Ohio infantry. On September "a
1862, Mckinley was promoted to be
second lieutenant. In the following
! February he was given the two bars
OF a first lieutenant In July he dis
! tinguished himself in leading charge
| on confederate battery and was
made captain of his company. At the
close of the war the president brevet
| ted the young Ohioan major fol
| gallant and meritorious services a.
the battles of Opequan Fishers hill
and Cedar creek.
Serves on Several Stats.
During the course Of his war expert
ence Major Mckinley served on the
staff of ex-President Hayes and Major
General Hancock, and subsequent.
with Major General Carroll. Young
Mckinley was with the famous 23t
Ohio in all it's battles and was mus
| tered out with it July rs, 1865. The
major had liking for the militar!
profession, and, it is said, would have
sought an appointment in the regular
army were it not for the solicitation
Of his parents, who insisted that h
had had quite enough of war.
Major Mckinley, like many OF hi;
comrades in arms, was undecided
upon abandoning the profession O
arms as to what vocation he shoult
| follow. Finally he returned to Can
ton. studied law and was admitted TX
the bar. The tedGm Of waiting fol
clients did not find a patient subjec
in the major, who could scarcely for
get the stirring events in which h
: had played part. Finding politics th'
most available substitute for war, ht
became one of it's devotees. In 1869
two years after his admission to tht