William McKinley, Jr.

McKinley briefly attended Allegheny College, and was teaching in a country school when the Civil War broke out. He enlisted on 11 June 1861 at 18 years old in the 23rd Ohio Volunteer Infantry.

He was Commisary Sergeant of the 23rd Ohio, part of the 1st Brigade/ Kanawha Division of Cox's Ninth (IX) Corps. His Regiment was commanded by another future President, Rutherford B. Hayes (who was wounded on South Mountain). McKinley was cited for bravery under fire while bringing rations to his Regiment during the assault across "Burnside's" Bridge.

He was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant in Company E of the 23rd on 24 September 1862, First Lieutenant on 7 February 1863, and Captain of Company G on 25 July 1864. His last duty was on the staff of General Crook. He was honored by Brevet to Major of Volunteers.

He studied law and was admitted to the Ohio bar in 1867. He served in the US House of Representatives (1877-1883 and 1885-1891) and as Governor of Ohio (1892-1896) prior to his election as President (Innaug. 1897). Early in his second term, McKinley was shot in Buffalo, NY by anarchist Leon Czolgosz (September 6, 1901). He died 8 days later on September 14, and was succeeded as President by his young VP Theodore Roosevelt. Czolgosz was convicted of the murder and electrocuted on October 29, 1901.

Service data from the Roster1.

For a more information about his political career see also the McKinley page at the US White House site, The Era of William McKinley from OH State University, or the Encyclopedia Americana article about McKinley .

1/29/1843; Niles, OH

9/14/1901; Buffalo, NY; burial in Canton, OH