WILLIAM McKINLEY (Jan 29, 1843 - Sep 14, 1901) 25th President of the United States of America (1897-1901) MASONIC RECORD Initiated: May 1, 1865, Hiram Lodge No. 21, Winchester, Virginia, passed May 2nd, and raised May 3rd 1865. Brother McKinley Affiliated with Canton Lodge No. 60, Canton, Ohio on August 21, 1867; and Demitted from same to become a Charter Member of Eagle Lodge No. 431, also in Canton. Prior to becoming a Mason; as a Lieutenant he was making a round in a hospital for Confederate wounded. Noticing that the regimental surgeon distributed gifts of tobacco and money to certain patients, he was told that these particular wounded Southerners were brother Masons. McKinley then expressed his desire to become a member of the Fraternity that promoted such sentiments between opposing armies. He received the Royal Arch Degree in Canton Chapter No.84, December 28, 1883; was made a Knight Templar in Canton Commandery No.38, December 23, 1884; elected a Life Member of Washington Comandry No.1, D.C. December 23, 1896, and became an Honorary Member of the Illinois Masonic Veteran Association, October 26, 1898. His Masonic activities include reviewing a parade of Knights Templar from the White House, May 6, 1897; a visit to his Mother Lodge in Winchester, Virginia, May 19, 1899; participation in the Masonic centennial observance of the death of George Washington, December 14, 1899; again reviewing a Knights Templar parade from the White House, October 11, 1900, and attending a reception of California Commandery No.1, in San Francisco, May 22, 1901. Brother McKinley died in Buffalo, N.Y. September 14, 1901, following his assassination September 6, 1901. Following his death the name of Eagle Lodge No. 431 was changed to William McKinley Lodge No. 431 effective October 24, 1901. Governor of Ohio, 1892-1896. Presidential Portrait