William McKinley
Best known as: 25th president of the USA
Occupation: Politician, lawyer
Nicknames: Idol of Ohio
Nationality: American
Religion: Methodist
Political party: Republican
Born: January 29, 1843 in Niles, Ohio
Died: September 14, 1901 in Buffalo, New York
Education: attended Allegheny College
Military service: US Army Maojr during the Civil War, 1861-1865
Offices held:
- U.S. Congressman from Ohio (1877-1891)
- Governor of Ohio (1892-1896)
- President of the U.S. (1897-1901)
Short biography: William McKinley was a lawyer and Republican Congressman who was elected to two terms as governor of Ohio. In 1896, he defeated Democrat William Jennings Bryan for the presidency. When he took office, the depression of 1893 was ending. Under his administration, Congress enacted the highest tariff in history, and companies formed trusts at a rapid pace. The Spanish-American War took place during McKinley's presidency, partly caused by Americans' outrage over Spain's treatment of rebels in Cuba. The U.S. quickly achieved victory and gained control of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Philippines. McKinley was re-elected in 1900 but was tragically assassinated by Leon Czolgosz, an anarchist, just a few months after being sworn in.
Wife: Ida Saxon McKinley
Vice president: Garret Hobart (1897-1899) and Theodore Roosevelt (1901)
Parents: William McKinley Sr. and Nancy Campbell McKinley
