William McKinley was born and raised in Ohio. As a young man he served in the Civil War, then practiced law in Canton before entering politics. He achieved a seat in the U.S. Congress before being elected Governor of Ohio.

After his 1871 marriage to Ida Saxton, the McKinleys resided in Ida's ancestral home. The Italianate mansion was richly furnished and had a third floor ballroom for entertaining. Family circumstances, however, were marred by tragedy. After their first two children died in early childhood, Ida suffered from epilepsy and emotional distress.

In the wake of the financial panic of 1893, William found himself $100,000 in debt and wealthy friends came to the rescue. After McKinley was elected to the presidency, his administration ushered America into a new era of global power. Then before his second term began, a Polish anarchist shot and killed him, the third president to be assassinated in the United States.