Ida McKinley

Summary of Ida McKinley - First Lady of America
Our summary and fast facts about Ida McKinley provides an interesting and easy way to learn about the life of the First Lady and wife of President William McKinley. Ida McKinley suffered many tragedies in her life starting with the death of her mother and the agonizing bereavement of her two infant daughters. Her health was seriously impaired and she suffered from migraines and epileptic seizures. She was the trusted confidant of her husband who was devoted to her. The final tragedy in her life struck when William McKinley was assassinated by
Leon Czolgosz.

Facts about Ida McKinley - First Lady "Pina"
Ida McKinley undertook the role of First Lady to William McKinley, the 25th President of the United States who served in office from March 4, 1897 to September 14, 1901.  What was the life of Ida McKinley like? The Facts about Ida McKinley covers important information, dates and interesting facts about her birth, her early life, her family, her personality with a biography and the accomplishments of Ida McKinley as the First Lady of the United States of America.

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Facts about Ida McKinley: Fact Sheet of Ida McKinley
Facts and Info: This fast fact sheet provides important information about Ida McKinley, First Lady of the United States of America.

Ida McKinley Fact Sheet - The First Lady of President William McKinley

Relationship to President William McKinley: Wife

Date Ida McKinley entered White House as First Lady: March 4, 1897

Term of Presidency: 1897-1901

When and where was Ida McKinley born?  

She was born on June 8, 1847 in Canton, Ohio

What was the name of her father and mother?

The name of her parents: James Asbury Saxton & Katherine Dewalt Saxton. She was educated at Brook Hall Seminary in Media, Pennsylvania

What was her relationship to President William McKinley?

She was his wife

When did she marry?

They married on January 25, 1871

What are the names of her children?

The names of her children were Katherine (1872 – 1875), Ida (1873). Their tragic deaths at such an early age left her a broken woman.

When and where did Ida McKinley die?

Ida McKinley died on  May 26, 1907 in Canton, Ohio

Ida McKinley Fact Sheet - The First Lady of President William McKinley

Picture of Ida McKinley

Picture of Ida McKinley

Facts about Ida McKinley: Fast Overview of Events in the White House
Facts and Info: Ida McKinley assumed the position of First Lady to President William McKinley. She witnessed the important events of his presidency that included
the Spanish-American War and the Annexation of Hawaii. Her husband was shot in Buffalo, New York, in 1901, as he fell he whispered "My wife, be careful…how you tell her. Oh be careful."

Personality and Character: Ida McKinley Quotes
Facts and Info: An insight into the personal views, character and personality of this First Lady may be obtained from the following Ida McKinley quotes
. The following is an excerpt from a quote by author Ellen Maury Slayden

"...the cross he bore gallantly...Though not an old woman - she would pass her fiftieth birthday three months after moving to the White House - she was always described as old. She was small and pale; were it not for her ivory skin and hands, she would have seemed gaunt. Her heart had been broken by the loss of two children..."

Facts about Ida McKinley: Her Nickname or Pet Name "Pina"
Facts and Info: This First Lady
's full name was Ida Saxton but she was called by the pet name "Pina" meaning 'little one' by her family, friends and husband.

Facts about Ida McKinley: First Events
Facts and Info:
Ida McKinley was one of the four first ladies to lose their husbands in presidential assassinations. The other first ladies were Mary Lincoln, Lucretia Garfield and Jackie Kennedy.

Facts about the Causes and Accomplishments of Ida McKinley
Facts and Info: First Ladies are not elected so have no official role. Their accomplishments are therefore based on their own particular wishes that ranged from political interests, humanitarian and charitable causes or duties relating to their family or social responsibilities.  Early in his presidency she had been involved with fundraising effort to assist the widows and children of the servicemen had been killed during the explosion of the USS Maine on 15 February 1898, which had started the Spanish-American War. She was also a strong supporter of single, widowed or divorced women who had to support themselves. Ida McKinley suffered from ill health that prevented her performing the social duties of the First Lady during the later part of the presidency.

Facts about Ida McKinley: The Life of Ida McKinley
Facts and Info: Ida Saxton
was born on June 8, 1847 in Canton, Ohio. Her parents were James Asbury Saxton, a wealthy banker, & Katherine Dewalt Saxton. She had a privileged upbringing and was educated at Brook Hall Seminary in Media, Pennsylvania. Following her education Ida went on an extended tour of Europe. Ida returned home and took the unusual step for a woman of her class by working as a cashier in her father's bank. She met William McKinley at a picnic and the couple married on January 25, 1871. They had two children, Katherine and Ida who were born in 1871 and 1873 respectively. Ida McKinley was vivacious, ambitious and energetic and their marriage was a happy one. The tragedy struck the family in 1873 when Ida's mother died and within months her baby daughter, Ida, also died. Their only surviving daughter, Katherine, then died of typhoid fever in 1875. These terrible tragedies had a detrimental effect on her health and Ida McKinley was left a virtual invalid suffering from severe headaches and epileptic seizures. Her husband provided a constant and loving support to his wife, to whom he was devoted. By the time William McKinley was elected governor of Ohio in 1892, her health had improved and she was able to play a more prominent role as the wife of a politician. The Republican Party nominated William McKinley for the presidency in 1896 and Ida McKinley was prominently featured in the election campaign. A small biography was published about her in which she received praise as a diligent and religious woman. Her skills and capabilities were emphasized to quash rumours about her health problems. William McKinley was duly elected President and  Ida McKinley assumed the role of First Lady on March 4, 1897. Ida McKinley was a fervent supporter of her husband and he cared for her, showing great concern for her failing health. Despite her poor health, Ida was the President's most trusted and influential advisor and she kept abreast of the political events of the day.

Facts about Ida McKinley: The Assassination of William McKinley
William McKinley was shot on September 6, 1901 at the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo, New York. He was shot twice by the anarchist  Leon Czolgosz only moments after handing a girl his lucky red carnation. He died on September 14, 1901 in Buffalo, New York and might have been saved if doctors had known where the bullet was lodged. Ida McKinley returned to Canton, Ohio where she visited her husband's grave almost everyday. She wore black mourning clothes for two years. Ida McKinley died on May 26, 1907 at the age of 59 and was buried next to her beloved husband and their two little daughters.

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