William McKinley

William McKinley conducted his 1896 front porch campaign for President of the United States from his home in Canton, where he addressed about 750,000 people who came there during the campaign. His public service began at the start of the Civil War in 1861, when he volunteered as a private in the Union Army and was discharged as a major after four years of service. He later became president of the Canton Y.M.C.A. and Stark County prosecutor, served in the United States House of Representatives from 1877 to 1891, was then elected Governor of Ohio, and helped found the Canton Public Library. McKinley won the presidential elections of 1896 and 1900. His administration was characterized by high tariffs, money backed by gold, national prosperity, and the Spanish-American War. In 1901, an anarchist shot and killed President McKinley.

Canton, Ohio · United States