Page:American Boy's Life of William McKinley.djvu/182

150 all the time he possibly could with his wife in their cosey little home.

In those days two children came to bless their union,—Kate, born on Christmas Day, 1871, and Ida, born April 1, 1873. The latter lived but four months and twenty-two days, while the former lived three years and six months. Both are buried in the McKinley plot, at Westlawn Cemetery, Canton.

The loss of these dear little ones was a great shock to both parents, and Mrs. McKinley received an additional blow in the loss of her mother. These sorrows told upon the wife, and from that hour she was more or less of an invalid. Yet she bore up bravely, and whenever she was able, was her husband's companion, to brighten his labors and make his home life of the happiest. In return he poured out his affection upon her and kept this up to the day of his untimely end. It is said by those who knew them best that they were "a pair of old-fashioned lovers from first to last." Nothing nobler than this can be said, especially when it is remembered that their married life covered a period of thirty years.