Ida Saxton McKinley

This watercolor on ivory portrait of First Lady Ida Saxton McKinley was done by Emily Drayton Taylor. Emily Taylor worked in miniatures and also authored a chapter in the book "Heirlooms and Miniatures," printed in 1898. Prior to her marriage, Mrs. McKinley worked as a teller in her father's bank. As first lady, she was limited in her ability as hostess due to fragile health, which included epilepsy. These duties largely fell to Second Lady Jennie Tuttle Hobart, wife of Garret Hobart, who served as McKinley's vice president during his first term. William McKinley was president from March 4, 1897 until his death on September 14, 1901.