Ida McKinley (née Saxton; 1847 – 1907). First Lady of the United States from 1897 until 1901, as wife of president William McKinley.
Possessed of a fragile, nervous temperament, Mrs. McKinley broke down under the loss of her mother and two young daughters within a short span of time. She developed epilepsy and became totally dependent on her husband. Her seizures at times occurred in public; she had one at McKinley's inaugural ball as Governor of Ohio. Although she battled her illness for the rest of her life, she kept busy with her hobby, crocheting slippers, making gifts of literally thousands of pairs to friends, acquaintances and charities, which would auction pairs for large sums.
She often took barbiturates, laudanum, and other sedatives for her condition.
- "... a slender bride with sky-blue eyes and fair skin and masses of auburn hair..." https://www.whitehouse.gov/.../first.../ida-saxton-mckinley/
- "When Major William McKinley, who had come to Canton to set up a law practice, met the vivacious, auburn-haired Ida..." https://www.encyclopedia.com/.../mckinley-ida-saxton-1847...
- "Fairly tall, with auburn hair (which, before her illness, was very long)..." https://www.ourcampaigns.com/CandidateDetail.html...
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