land, Ohio, and Allegheny College, at Meadville, Pa.
Before attaining his majority taught in the public schools. At the
age of 16 became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. At the
beginning of hostilities in the War between the States Mr. McKinley,
who was a clerk in the Poland post-office, volunteered his services,
and on June 11, 1861, was enlisted as a private in the Twenty-third Ohio
Volunteer Infantry. Participated in all the early engagements in West
Virginia, and in the winter's camp at Fayetteville received his first
promotion, commissary-sergeant, on April 15, 1862. In recognition of his
services at Antietam, Sergeant McKinley was made second lieutenant, his
commission dating from September 24, 1862, and on February 7, 1863,
while at Camp Piatt, he was again promoted, receiving the rank of first
lieutenant. In the retreat near Lynchburg, Va., his regiment marched 180
miles, fighting nearly all the time, with scarcely any rest or food.
Lieutenant McKinley conducted himself with gallantry, and at Winchester
won additional honors. The Thirteenth West Virginia Regiment failed to
retire when the rest of Hayes's brigade fell back, and, being in great
danger of capture, the young lieutenant was directed to go and bring
it away, which he did in safety, after riding through a heavy fire.
On July 25, 1864, at the age of 21, McKinley was promoted to the rank of
captain. The brigade continued its fighting up and down the Shenandoah
Valley. At Berryville, Va., September 3, 1864, Captain McKinley's horse
was shot from under him. Served successively on the staffs of Generals
R.B. Hayes, George Crook, and Winfield S. Hancock, and on March 14,
1865, was brevetted major of United States Volunteers by President
Lincoln for gallantry in the battles of Opequan, Cedar Creek, and
Fishers Hill. Was detailed as acting assistant adjutant-general of the
First Division, First Army Corps, on the staff of General Samuel S.
Carroll. At the close of the war was urged to remain in the Army, but,
deferring to the judgment of his father, was mustered out of the service
July 26, 1865, and returned to Poland. At once began the study of law
under Glidden & Wilson, of Youngstown, Ohio, and later attended the
law school in Albany, N.Y. Was admitted to the bar in March, 1867, at
Warren, Ohio, and the same year removed to Canton, Ohio, which has since
been his home. In 1867 his first political speeches were made in favor
of negro suffrage. In 186