William Arnold

Background

Lynch was born in Canton, Ohio, United States of America in 1844, the son of Arnold Lynch and Frances (Horan) Lynch.

Education

William Lynch attended the public schools in Canton and graduated at the age of sixteen. He studied the law at a local attorney"s office and was admitted to the bar in 1865.

Career

Lynch"s parents, both Irish immigrants, had moved to Ohio in their young adulthood. Arnold Lynch was employed as a surveyor and later held office as county surveyor and recorder of deeds. The next year, Lynch ran as a Democrat for the office of prosecuting attorney of the county and was elected.

Lynch was appointed city solicitor of Canton the same year, holding both offices simultaneously.

Lynch was renominated in 1870, facing off again against McKinley, and was narrowly elected. Lynch did not seek reelection in 1872, instead starting a private practice with William R. Day, the future Supreme Court justice.

The case involved charges the miners rioted when confronted with strikebreakers, but only one man was convicted. Lynch"s brother, Austin, joined the firm in 1878, which then became known as Lynch, Day, and Lynch.

After leaving private practice, Lynch was exclusively employed working for railroad interests, including the Connoton Valley Railroad and the Pittsburgh, Akron & Western Railroad Company.

He also was among the owners of the Canton-Massilon Electric Railroad, an intercity line. After McKinley"s assassination in 1901, Lynch was one of the founders of the McKinley National Memorial Association, which was responsible for the construction of the McKinley National Memorial. From 1903 to 1906, he served as a city councilman in Canton.

He practiced law up to his final day, February 6, 1907, when he died in the middle of a trial in Lisbon, Ohio.

Connections

opponent:

McKinley

partners:

William McKinley

partnership:

William Lynch