Description: Andrew L Harris, the 44th governor of Ohio delivered this speech on September 30, 1907, as part of the dedication ceremonies of the McKinley Memorial in Canton, Ohio. Harris begins by thanking the McKinley Memorial Association for the honor of addressing the crowd in the presence of President Theodore Roosevelt. The McKinley Memorial Association was established soon after McKinley's assassination. It raised funds, chose a site, and began construction in 1905. The dedication ceremonies took place on September 30, 1907.
William McKinley (1843-1901), the 25th president of the United States, was born in Niles, Ohio. He enlisted in the army at the outbreak of the Civil War and, after being mustered out, studied law and opened a law office in Canton, Ohio. McKinley served in the U.S. Congress for 14 years, and became president in 1897, largely due to the influence of Marcus Hanna, boss of the Cleveland political machine. McKinley was most noted for his foreign policy and the conduct of the Spanish-American War in 1898. It was during McKinley's administration that the U.S. acquired its first overseas possessions in the Philippines, Guam, and Puerto Rico. He was re-elected in 1900, but was assassinated by anarchist Leon Czolgosz in 1901. His running mate, Theodore Roosevelt, then became president.
Andrew L. Harris was born November 17, 1835, in Butler County, Ohio. Harris graduated from Miami University in 1860. In April 1861 he enlisted as a Private in the 20th O.V.I and was later commissioned as an officer in the 75th O.V.I. He saw active service in eighteen Civil War battles. At the battle of McDowell in Virginia he was seriously wounded and his right arm permanently disabled by gunshot. He was also wounded in the fighting at Gettysburg. At Chancellorsville, he was made colonel and commander. On January 15, 1865, he was mustered out. After the Civil War, Andrew Harris served in various public offices including the Ohio Senate, lieutenant governor under William McKinley and in the McKinley presidential administration. Andrew L. Harris was Ohio's 44th governor from 1906-1909. He died in Eaton, Ohio on September 13, 1915.
View on Ohio Memory.
Image ID: Om3381_6642954_001
Subjects: Presidents and Politics; McKinley, William, 1843- 1901; Building dedications; Parades & processions; Haris, Andrew L. (Andrew Lintner), 1835-1915;
Places: Canton (Ohio); Stark County (Ohio)