McKinley was hospitalized in Virginia for injuries received in battle. During his recuperation he was greatly impressed with the friendliness of a Union surgeon toward some of the Confederate wounded. He discovered the men were brother Masons and, marveling at the bounds, which transgressed war, made haste to join the fraternity.
A Confederate Master Raised McKinley in Hiram Lodge No. 21, Winchester, Virginia on May 3, 1865. He was given a Demit so he could take his membership back home to Ohio.
On August 21, 1867, McKinley affiliated with Canton Lodge No. 60. June 2, 1869 he become a Charter member of Eagle Lodge No. 431 – later named William McKinley Lodge.
He received the Chapter Degrees in Canton Chapter No. 84 in December of 1883 and was knighted in Canton Commandery No. 38, Knights Templar in December 1884. Also, he was a life member of Washington Commandery No. 1, in Washington, D.C.
At his untimely death, 5 Commanderies escorted the body from the White House to the Capital on September 17, 1901. In Ohio, 20 Commanderies of 2000 uniformed Knights formed the 4th Division of the funeral escort.
Evoking more than a casual curiosity
is the fact that the final resting place of the fallen President, the William
McKinley National Memorial in Canton is laid out in the form of a sword. Was it to commemorate his military career, or a lasting tribute by his beloved
fraternity and in particular participation in the Knights Templar? No one can
say since no documentation has been found to support either theory.
