Mckinley, William, 1843-1901

President William McKinley was the 25th President of the United States. He was beginning his second term as President after winning the election in 1900. On Sept. 5, 1901 he and his wife were attending the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York when he was shot by as assassin waiting in line to shake his hand. After being attended by physicians, he was resting at the exposition's director's home in Buffalo, NY. He seemed to be recovering when his condition rapidly worsened on Sept. 14th. President McKinley passed away late that night on Sept. 14, 1901. On Sept. 17, 1901 there was an article in the Olympia, WA newspaper announcing the plans for Memorial Services to be held in Olympia, WA. A committee was formed with sub-committees for the arrangements of the memorial which included a parade, music, finance and the program. The Service was to be held in the open air, weather permitting. It took place at the main entrance to the capitol building on Washington Street in Olympia, WA. The Committee requested that every organization in Olympia take part in the Service. The public was asked to join the procession. The Superintendent allowed all school children to participate in the procession. The children participated in singing during the Service, as well as, all the church choirs. Some individual churches also held religious ceremonies that same day.

Biographical Note

1843, Jan. 29 Born, Niles, Ohio 1859 Taught school near Poland, Ohio 1860 Attended one term at Allegheny College, Meadville, Pa. 1861 1865 Joined the Twenty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry as a private; advanced during the Civil War to rank of major 1865 1867 Studied law 1867 Admitted to the bar; established law practice, Canton, Ohio 1869 1871 Prosecuting attorney, Stark Co., Ohio 1871 Married Ida Saxton 1876 1883 Member, United States House of Representatives, eighteenth district of Ohio 1886 1891 Member, United States House of Representatives, eighteenth district of Ohio 1892 1896 Governor, Ohio 1893 Declared bankruptcy 1896 1901 President of the United States 1901, Sept. 6 Shot by anarchist Leon Czolgosz while attending a Pan American Exposition, Buffalo, N.Y. 1901, Sept. 14 Died, Buffalo, N.Y.

From the guide to the William McKinley Papers, circa 1847-1935, (bulk 1897-1901), (Manuscript Division Library of Congress)

William McKinley was born on January 29, 1843, in Niles, Ohio, the son of an iron founder. From 1861-1865 he served in teh 23rd Ohio Volunteer Regiment and was mustered out at the rank of major. He began to study law in 1865 under Charles E. Glidden of Mahoning County, Ohio, and graduated from law school at Albany, New York, in 1867. He was appointed prosecuting attorney for Stark County, Ohio, in 1869. On January 25, 1871, McKinley married Ida Saxton of Canton, Ohio. He was elected to the United States Congress in 1876 as Republican representative from the 17th Ohio district. In 1880 he was made temporary chairman of the Ohio Republican Convention and became permanent chairman in 1884. Also in 1880, he became a member of the Committee on Ways and Means. McKinley was elected governor of Ohio in 1891. The following year he became the permanent chairman of the Republican National Convention. In February 1893, he incurred debt totaling some $130,000 after the failure of Robert L. Walker, a friend to whom he had endorsed notes, but funds were raised by unknown friends to meet the deficit, and his political career was unharmed.