Short answers, pulled from the story.
William McKinley Jr. joined the Poland Guards in June 1861 as a young volunteer from Ohio during the Civil War. He served in the 23rd Ohio Infantry under Colonel Eliakim P. Scammon and fought at battles including Carnifex Ferry, Antietam, and Cloyd's Mountain before earning a brevet commission as major.
William McKinley studied law in Poland Ohio and Albany Law School before being admitted to the bar in March 1867. He established a successful practice in Canton Stark County Ohio with partner George W. Belden and won election as prosecuting attorney of Stark County in 1869.
William McKinley signed the Dingley Act into law on the 24th of July 1897 which raised tariffs on wool sugar and luxury goods. He later signed the Gold Standard Act on the 14th of March 1900 using a gold pen to formally affirm the gold standard for United States currency.
The Spanish American War began after the USS Maine exploded on the 15th of February 1898 and Congress declared war on the 20th of April 1898. The Treaty of Paris signed on the 18th of December 1898 resulted in the United States acquiring Puerto Rico Philippines island Guam while Spain relinquished claims to Cuba.
William McKinley issued no statement condemnation when black postmasters were assaulted in Hogansville Georgia in 1897 and Lake City South Carolina in 1898. He refused requests to send federal marshals or troops to protect citizens following the Wilmington insurrection on the 10th of November 1898 despite pressure from black leaders.