William B. McKinley as a United States Senator and congressman from the State of Illinois; He was born near Petersburg, Illinois on September 5, 1856. After graduating from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana, McKinley became a drug clerk in Springfield. He returned to Champaign to become a banker. In 1902, he was elected a trustee of the university. McKinley ran for U.S. House of Representatives in 1905, winning his first of four consecutive terms. In 1913, he ran for the U.S. Senate against Lawrence Yates Sherman and lost. In ran for Congress again in 1914 and won, serving from 1915 until 1921. In 1920, McKinley ran against Sherman for the Senate, this time winning. In 1926, he ran for re-election and lost to Frank L. Smith, but died on December 7, 1926, shortly before his term would have ended.
Preceded by: Lawrence Yates Sherman U.S. Senator (Class 3) from Illinois 1921 - 1926 Served alongside: Joseph M. McCormick, Charles S. Deneen Succeeded by: Frank L. Smith (not allowed to take his seat))
