MACKINAC ISLAND, a city of Mackinac county, Michi gan, U.S.A., on Mackinac island in the north-west extremity of Lake Huron. It is connected by steamers with St. Ignace (6 m. W.) and Mackinaw City (7 m. S.W.), on both sides of the Straits of Mackinac, and is served by the principal steamship lines on the Great Lakes. Pop. (1930) 566. The island (3 m. by 2 m.) is a beautiful summer resort, rich in Indian lore and historic interest. White limestone cliffs line the shores and the interior is covered with forests. No automobiles are allowed. The city is an old fish ing and trading village, with large modern hotels, club-houses and summer homes. Fort Mackinac and its surroundings are included in a State park. The island was occupied at various times by the Chippewas, the Hurons, and the Ottawas. The French established a post in 1670 (abandoned 1701) at Point St. Ignace, on the north side of the strait, and in 1712 built a fort on the south side, surrendered to the British in 1761 and held by them until 1796. In July, 1812, a British force surprised the American garrison, which did not yet know that war had been declared. In August, 1814, Colonel George Croghan (1791-1849) made an unsuccessful attempt to retake the island. It was restored to the United States in July, 1815, and the fort was maintained by the Federal govern ment until 1895, when it was ceded to the State. From 1820-4o the village was a chief post of the American Fur Company.
ing county, where the younger William was placed at school. At 17 he entered the junior class of Allegheny college, at Meadville, Pa. ; but he studied beyond his strength, and returned to Poland, where for a time he taught in a neighbouring country school. When the Civil War broke out in 1861 he enlisted as a private. He saw service in West Virginia, at South Mountain, and at Antietam, and was promoted second lieutenant in 1862, and first lieutenant early in Feb. 1864. For his services at Winchester in 1864 he was promoted captain. He was on the staff of Gen. George Crook at the battles of Opequan, Fisher's hill and Cedar creek in the Shenandoah valley, and in 1865 he was breveted major of volunteers for gallant and meritorious services. He also served on the staff of Gen. Rutherford B. Hayes.
After the war McKinley returned to Poland, and bent all his energy upon the study of law. He completed his preparation at the Albany (N.Y.) law school,was admitted to the bar at Warren, 0., in March 1867, and began practice in Canton, 0., which place became his permanent home. He identified himself immediately with the Republican Party, and took part in the campaign work on behalf of Grant's presidential candidature in 1868. In 1875 he first became known as an able campaign speaker by his speeches on behalf of Rutherford B. Hayes, the Republican candidate for governor of Ohio. In 1876 McKinley was elected to the national House of Representatives. Conditions both in Ohio and in Congress had placed him, and were to keep him for twenty years, in an attitude of aggressive and uncompromising partisanship. His Congressional district was naturally Democratic, and its boundaries were changed by Democratic legislatures for the purpose of causing his defeat. But he overcame what had threatened to be adverse majorities at all elections from 1876 to 1890, with the single exception of 1882. McKinley reflected the strong sentiment of his manufacturing constituency in behalf of a high protective tariff, and he soon became known in Con gress (where he particularly attracted the attention of James G.