Ohio museum receives President McKinley's books

CANTON, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio museum devoted to President William McKinley has received dozens of books that America’s 25th president, who was born in Niles, is believed to have kept at the White House.

The William McKinley Presidential Library and Museum in Canton is now going through the 46 books, donated by Ross McKinley of Scottsdale, Ariz., a descendant of a McKinley nephew.

They include several volumes on the Philippines, which was pivotal in the Spanish-American War fought during McKinley’s administration. Also part of the collection are biographies, military books and an 1897 Bulletin of the United States Fish Commission.

McKinley museum librarian Karl Ash tells The Repository newspaper of Canton that Ross McKinley said the books were passed down by his father, who had gotten them from his own father. The museum will take steps to preserve them.