William McKinley

William McKinley Jr. was born in 1843 in Niles, Ohio, the seventh of nine children of William McKinley Sr. and Nancy (née Allison) McKinley.  The family moved to Ohio when the senior McKinley was a boy, settling in New Lisbon (now Lisbon). He met Nancy Allison there and they later married.[30]   

In 1852, the family moved from Niles to Poland, Ohio so that their children could attend its better schools. Graduating from Poland Seminary in 1859, McKinley enrolled the following year at Allegheny College in Meadville, Pennsylvania.  He remained at Allegheny for one year, returning home in 1860 after becoming ill and depressed.  [35]  William’s health was restored, but the family was not doing well finacially so he could not go back to Allegheny.  He would have to get a job and he started working as a postal clerk.  He would later become a teacher near Poloand, Ohio. [39]

After the Civil War ended in 1865, McKinley studied law was admitted to the bar in March 1867. [70] His law practice would become very successful.

When his Army friend Rutherford B. Hayes was nominated for governor in 1867, McKinley made speeches on his behalf in Stark County, his first entrance into politics.[72] The county was closely divided between Democrats and Republicans, but Hayes carried it that year in his statewide victory.[72] In 1869, McKinley ran for the office of prosecuting attorney of Stark County, an office that had historically been held by Democrats, and was unexpectedly elected.[75]