Name/Title
Copy, ReprographicEntry/Object ID
2016.2.51Scope and Content
Early Life of William McKinley by H. T. O. Blue
...he paid a glowing tribute to Miss Blakeleee, fo the wholesome influence her teaching had made upon his life. Likewise, the influence of his older sister, Anna McKinley, who was a teacher and a friend of Miss Blakelee had a marked effect upon his life. After the Civil War, his sister, Anna, then a teacher in Canton, prevailed upon her brother William to come to Canton and make this city his future home.
In the Poland Academy there was an organization called the Everett Literary Society, named in honor of the great orator, Edward Everett. It was one of the societies common in such institutions, formed for the social and literary development of the students in lines outside of thier regular class work. At length young McKinley became its president. He was very popular with the young people of Poland, and was always liked because of his pleasant, engaging manners and his amiable disposition.
Frequently McKinley was one of the principal debaters of the society, and there, no doubt he laid the foundation of that persuasive and convincing style of oratory that later in life made him one of the most successful public speakers either in Congress or on the platform.
McKinley was a good student of mathematics, but his special inclination was toward languages. At that time there was no special courses offered in languages; but by diligent effort he succeeded in acquiring a fair knowledge of Greek and Latin by his own efforts. The Rev. W. F. Day, pastor of the Methodist Church of Poland took a great interest in teaching McKinley the Hebrew language. The association of the young man with Rev. Day tended to strengthen his religious convictions. As a member of the minister's Bible Class, the young man completed the scriptures. His knowledge of Greek and Hebrew, greatly assisted him in this work.
The McKinley family were Methodists and the children were brought up in that faith. It is recorded that at the age of fifteen, young McKinley was converted in a prayer meeting in Poland, led by Rev. Aaron D. Morton, a circuit rider, who was holding a series of revival meetings in the village. There was only one religious question which troubled the young man. He was puzzled as to whether he should be baptized by sprinkling or by immersion. In a few months, however, he decided to be immersed with a number of others, and having been on probation in the interval, he then became a member of the Church.
When he had finished his courses of study at the Poland Union Seminary young McKinley next enrolled in Allegheny College at Meadville, Penna. He passed the examinations for entering the Junior class. Sometime later he was compelled to give up his collegiate training owing to a breakdown in his health. He came home for a rest and the next year he taught a district school, within walking distance of Poland. His salary was $25.00 a month. During his spare time when not teaching, he also worked as a clerk in the Poland Post Office. The next year McKinley was preparing to re-enter Allegheny College, when the Civil War broke out. He and his cousin William Osborne enlisted in the Poland Guards, and marching to Youngstown, their company was mustered into service at Columbus, Ohio, as a part of the 23rd O.V.I.
Thus we see that the early home training and education of William McKinley laid tht foundation for his useful career as a great American and President of the United States.
The Children of Wm. and Nancy Allison McKinley in the order of their birth:
David, became consul to Honolulu and later Minister to Hawaii, died in 1892.
Anna, taught school for 30 years in Canton, and died in Canton, July 29th, 1890 at the age of 58.
James, settled in California and died there in 1889.
Mary, married Daniel May of Poland. She died there June 20, 1868 at the age of 32.
Helen, lived in Cleveland and died there June 9, 1924 at the age of 87.
Sarah Elizabeth, married Andrew J. Duncan and lived in Cleveland. She died there Nov. 22, 1932, at the age of 91.
Abbie Celia, died in infancy.
Abner, practiced law in Canton as a partner of William, Jr., and died there in 1904.Collection
BlaneyAcquisition
Accession
2016.2.0Source or Donor
Eileen B. BlaneyAcquisition Method
Gift