Ida Saxton McKinley ( June 8 , 1847 - May 26 , 1907 ) , was the wife of William McKinley , the President of the United States . She acted as the First Lady of the United States from 1897 to 1901 . Ida Saxton McKinley ( June 8 , 1847 -- May 26 , 1907 ) , wife of William McKinley , was First Lady of the United States from 1897 to 1901 .