Ida McKinley

 

Ida McKinley, born on June 8, 1847, in Canton, Ohio, was the esteemed first lady of the United States from 1897 to 1901, as the devoted wife of President William McKinley. Ida, the daughter of affluent banker James A. Saxton and Catherine Dewalt Saxton, received her education at local public schools and prestigious private institutions like Brooke Hall Seminary in Media, Pennsylvania. In 1869, she embarked on a grand tour of Europe with her younger sister, showcasing her strong-willed and independent nature through candid letters to her parents. Despite being labeled as "spoiled" by her chaperone, Ida did not shy away from expressing her opinions and asserting her independence during the journey.

Upon returning to Canton, she decided to work as a cashier in her father's bank, a rather unconventional choice for a woman of her social standing in the 19th century. It was there that she crossed paths with William McKinley, who had recently been elected Stark County prosecutor. The two quickly fell in love and were married on January 25, 1871, welcoming two children into their family in the following years.

Tragedy struck after the birth of their second child, as Ida faced the loss of her mother, infant daughter, and then her only surviving daughter to typhoid fever by the time she was three years old. These devastating events took a toll on Ida's health, leading to a decline in her physical and mental well-being. Despite her limitations, she found solace in her husband's unwavering care and attention, accompanying him to public events and supporting him throughout his political career. Her health gradually improved as William's political stature grew, allowing her to take on a more active role in social engagements.

When William McKinley was nominated for the presidency by the Republican Party in 1896, his wife Ida found herself thrust into an unusual spotlight. Campaign officials took the unprecedented step of publishing a biography about her, extolling her virtues as a religious and capable woman while addressing rumors about her health. Despite her declining health, Ida took on a more visible role in the campaign, sitting next to her husband at formal dinners in case she needed assistance during a seizure. While her illnesses were never publicly discussed, they were widely known among visitors and the press, who remarked on her frail appearance. Despite her health struggles, Ida remained engaged in current events and was known for her insightful judgment of people and political events. Following her husband's assassination in 1901, Ida's health seemed to stabilize, but she passed away in 1907. She was laid to rest in the McKinley Memorial Mausoleum in Canton.

Elizabeth Kilbride is a Writer and Editor with forty years of experience in writing with 12 of those years in the online content sphere. Author of 5 books and a Graduate with an Associate of Arts from Pheonix University in Business Management, then a degree in Mass Communication and Cyber Analysis from Phoenix University, then on to Walden University for her master’s in criminology with emphasis on Cybercrime and Identity Theft and is currently studying for her Ph.D. degree in Criminology, her work portfolio includes coverage of politics, current affairs, elections, history, and true crime. In her spare time, Elizabeth is also a gourmet cook, life coach, and avid artist, proficient in watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, Gouache, and pastels. As a political operative having worked on over 300 campaigns during her career, Elizabeth has turned many life events into books and movie scripts while using history to weave interesting storylines. She also runs 6 blogs that range from art to life coaching, to food, to writing, and opinion or history pieces each week.