The book, "Daniel and Mary", was written by Alfred Arundel May in the 1950's after he retired from teaching at the High School of Commerce in New York City. Alfred was a son of Daniel May (1819 - 1888), a druggist who lived in Poland, Ohio and kept diaries for 35 years. The book deals with Daniel's life and that of the community from 1855 to 1871. It begins with the death of Daniel's first wife, Hannah Fankell in 1855, shortly after giving birth to their second child. After courting other women, Daniel married Mary McKinley, the sister of William, Jr., the future 25th President of the United States.
"Daniel and Mary" is based on several sources: Daniel's diaries from the years 1855 to 1871, letters written by William to his family and to Daniel and Mary while he served in the Civil War, and the conversations about the McKinley family that Alfred had with his father, Daniel. Alfred recognized the historical significance of the diaries as a source of information about the future president and his family during the time they lived in Poland although it is first and foremost about Daniel May and the place and period in which he lived.
