Wednesday, July 17, 2013

"THE MOTHER OF PRESIDENTS"…OHIO

July 17 – Did you know that Ohio is known as "the mother of presidents?" Can you name the eight presidents that came from Ohio? Answer at the end of the blog.

After our fun time at the Canton Garden Center, the "Tour of Canton, Ohio," with Pam and John continued on to the William McKinley tomb.

McKinley tomb

McKinley was born in Niles, Ohio, but he called Canton home throughout his adult life. His election in 1896 launched an era of Republican dominance that continued until 1910. The circular, domed granite building rises 96 feet above ground and measures 79 feet in diameter.

tomb

In 1896, McKinley easily gained the Republican nomination. He addressed selected delegations at his home in Canton in a "front porch" campaign.

Wm. and Ida's home in Canton. The "front porch" campaign took place here. It now serves as the home to the National First Ladies' Library.McKinley home

McKinley was elected president in 1896 and 1900. McKinley governed during a period of intense American expansionism.

tomb notes

Two "want-a-be presidents" but never-will-be.president statue

Some of President McKinley's accomplishments are:
--Dingley Tariff Act of 1897 which raised import duties
--Gold Standard Act, which based the currency firmly on gold.
--Clayton-Bulwer Treaty to permit construction of a canal in Central America.

McKinley was shot two times by anarchist Leon Czolgosz while the president was visiting the Pan-American Exhibit in Buffalo, New York on September 6, 1901. He died on September 14, 1901. Czolgosz stated that he shot McKinley because he was an enemy of working people. He was convicted of the murder and electrocuted on October 29, 1901.

The bodies of McKinley and his wife lie side by side.resting place

Their two young daughters, who both died as a child, are also laid to rest here.

Looking from the top of the 108 stairs.
top of stairs

There is also a McKinley Museum next door. We did not have time to visit it.

McKinley museum

Presidents from Ohio
9th – William Henry Harrison
18th – Ulysses S. Grant
19th – Rutherford B. Hayes
20th – James A. Garfield
23rd – Benjamin Harrison
25th – William McKinley
27th – William H. Taft
29th – Warren G. Harding

How did you do in naming the presidents? More on the rest of our tour in our next blog.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope to see y'all back real soon. Have a great day!