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Poland honors former resident, president
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Neighbors | Submitted .Poland residents celebrated the dedication of the McKinley marker June 29.
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.Neighbors | Adrienne Crissman .President McKinley, portrayed by Paul McQueen, spoke about his time at Poland during the McKinley marker dedication June 29.
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Neighbors | Submitted .Shown is an early photo of the McKinliney home at 212 S. Main St. in Poland.
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Neighbors | Adrienne Crissman .Young William McKinley, portrayed by Jack Brant, spoke about his time growing up in Poland during the McKinley marker dedication June 29.
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Neighbors | .Dave Smith, Poland Historical Society trustee, spoke at the dedication of the McKinley marker June 29.
By ADRIENNE CRISSMAN
The Poland Historical Society dedicated a marker to former president William McKinley June 29 during Celebrate Poland. The Ohio Historical sign, located at 210 South Main Street near the Home Savings Bank, marks the spot where McKinley’s home used to stand.
In 1852, Poland’s schools attracted the McKinley family to the small town. William McKinley was just nine years old and he attended the Poland Academy. Later he enrolled at Allegheny College before returning home due to illness. In 1861, he left Poland to serve in the Civil War where he rose to the rank of brevet major. After the war he returned to Poland to study law and later moved to Canton. He was elected a Representative to Congress, Governor of Ohio, and in 1897, he became the 25th President of the United States.
During the dedication, three actor portrayed William McKinley in various stages of his life: a young McKinley spoke about his time growing up in Poland; soldier McKinley read entries from McKinley’s diary and President McKinley spoke kind words about his hometown, Poland.
Dave Smith, Poland Historical Society trustee, said McKinley had very positive feelings toward Poland.
McKinley expressed those feelings in a speech he gave in Canton in 1896.
“Old Poland township is very near and dear to me. I spent most of my boyhood with you. I entered the service from your town. The company to which I belonged was made up of the boys of that township and I see you carry the same old starry banner that you carried then, and for which you gave or were willing to give, your lives. I returned to Poland at the conclusion of the war and received my education as a lawyer in your township. I left in 1867 and came to this little city, but there has never been a moment of time that my heart has not gone back to that dear old township with which are associated so many tender and sacred memories, and there has never been a moment of time since I left that I have not felt and appreciated that I had your good wishes and prayers, and whenever I stood for public office I always had your votes,” said McKinley.
Smith said that Poland is working to preserve McKinley’s ties to the area.
“Town One Streetscapes of Poland, the Poland Historical Society and other governmental and community groups have contributed toward the addition of ‘Boyhood Home of President McKinley’ signs, added to our six ‘Welcome to Poland’ entrance signs. Another project being pursued is the addition of some McKinley photos and information to the windows at our Walgreens Store. We have also presented programs on McKinley in the community.”