New-York tribune., 1907-05-27
MRS. NKTNLEY'S LIFE.

Mrs Ida Mckinley was the daughter of James A.
Saxton. OF Canton. Ohio. Her paternal grand
father. john Saxtou, editor Of Tho OHIO Re
postory" for sixty years while her father was a
banker and real estate dealer He was married in
1916 To Miss Kate Devalt. whose family was among
tho pioneers OF Canton They had three children
one son, George. and two daughters Ida and Mary
B., now Mrs. Marshall Barber.
Miss Ida SaXton received the best educational
advantagea that not only Canton but tho country
could offer. After the early years Of her school
life had beon passed in Canton. under the SUPER
vision OF her mother. she attended a seminary in
Cleveland and latec spent years at the Brook
Hall Seminary Media. Penn.
After graduation Miss saxton with her sister
and a company of friends mads a long visit to
Europe The people of Canton who recall the
home coming OF Mr.. SaXton's daughters all agree
that Ida a young woman of singular beauty
Of form and feature bright and winsome though
times a little capricious in he- ways, an en-
bodiment Of healthy. happy American girlhood.
fully approaching the advantages she had re-
ceIvcd. conscious of the duties well as the
pleasures Of her poston-n truth dazzling and
fascinating personality.
one favored lifelong friend Of both the Saxton
and Mckinley families said that after his daugh-
ter's return from Europe Mr.. Saxton seemed to
have a dread that she would soon marry and
leave him, and that he planned to keep admirers
at distance. He said frankly that no wished
she would prefer to remain single. and that he
did intend to launch her into society in order
to hasten her marriage Although n man of large
means, Mr.. Saxton believed in making women
independent of the changes of fortune therefore.
his daughter was taught the banking business and
soon her head appeared at the cashiers window
Of her fathers bank. Mr.. SaXton believed that he
had fiEwatiyey well as literally shut out he
yond the cagelike window of the bank all in
truders who wished to marry his daughter.
MARRIAGE TO MAJOR MKINLEY.
II was a visit TO sister in Canton shortly
after the civil War that Major Mckinley first met
orc Of her school friends. Ida Saxton Their ac-
oualntance was slight when he went to Albany 10
study law and she 10 school at Media, hut it
renewed Il few years later. when he returned to
Canton to practise his profession. and led to an
engagement TO marry
Mr. Saxton after a time yielded 20 the IA teH and
consented to the union of his daughter with Major
Mckinley They married In the Presbyterian
Church January 25 1871. and began housekeep-
ing in Canton.
The first child of Mr.. and Mrs. Mckinley was
born on Christmas Day. 1871 and christened
Kate. The second daughter was named Ida. Be
ley's life in the death OF her mother. So great a
shock. coming at that time. caused a long and
sTtT's snd strength r from which Mrs Mckinney never
ehiId Mas taken from them and shortly afterward
sorrow many would arise embittered and mean3
choIy Not so was it with Major and Mrs. Me
<iniey. Their personal sorrows cast a6out them
prehension ana sympathies till ali who met them
acknowledged a that even STlct so great may have
lis compcnsat lions Major Mckiney's devotion to
his wife became household word throughout the
land.
During her husbands administration Governor
of OHIO, Mrs. Mckinley was unable TO take much
part in the social life of the state capital, but
ceved callers. although unable to return calls.
She devoted mucn time to charities and TO temper
ance work She and her husband belonged to the
Broad Street Methodist Episcopal Church in Can
ton. and whenever her health permitted she at
tended services there.
When the Worlds Fair was In progress in Chi
cago. and Major Mckinley. then Governor of Ohio.
visited the Ohio building 10 take part in the dedica
ton of the Ohio monument. Mrs. Mckinley accom-
panied him. but was only able TO sit on upper
floor, where she could hear her husband and the
other orators of the occasion.
Mrs Mckinley suffered from partial paralysis of
one leg which made II difficult, though not pain
ful for her to rise and walk. and also from the