James Asbury Saxton

Biography

A banker from Canton, OH. Father of Ida McKinley (first lady and wife of President William McKinley). He helped build the First Presbyterian Church in Canton, the church in which Ida and William McKinley were married.

James Saxton was born in Canton, OH and was the son of John and Margaret (Laird) Saxton. His home at 331 S. Market St in Canton is now the Ida McKinley Historic Home and is now the headquarters of the National First Ladies Libray. At the age of 18, he opened a hardware store where now stands the courthouse. He also founded the Stark County Bank, of which he became president. Eventually he severed his connection with the bank and went to New York City, where he became a part of many important enterprises, as well as settled up the estate of his old friend and business partner, Conrad Schweitzer (formally of Canton). Mr. Saxton eventually returned to Canton.

He was married twice, first to Katherine "Kate" DeWalt on August 31, 1846. Children of James and Kate are Ida (who married President William McKinley), Mary B.(who married Marshall C. Barber of Canton), and George D. (who was murdered by his former lover Anna George while approaching the home of his current lover Eva Althouse). After the death of Kate, Mr. Saxton married Hettie Medill (or Medell).

The following info was provided by: Henry Cemetery Assoc. Interments (#46917490)

James' last wife Hester Bradshaw Medill, widow of James Corbett Medill. James was killed in the Civil War and although memorialized in West Lawn he is actually interred in Graceland Cemetery in Chicago Illinois.

Annie George was found not guilty.

References

• http://www.firstladies.org/biographies/firstladies.aspx?biography=25
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/69875973/james-asbury-saxton