Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana.
Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893, p. 598 - Prestley T. McKINNEY, an early and honored
resident and pioneer teacher of music, of Fountain County, Ind who passed away in 1874,
nearly a score of years ago, lives int he memory of old friends and pupils who welcomed
him to the Western wilds more than half a century since. Arriving in Indiana in 1833, our
subject taught school and at once identified himself with all the active interests of the
locality destined from thence to be his lifetime home. A man of sterling integrity of
character, conscientious and upright in the condust of his daily life, he was an energetic
worker in the Presbyterian Church, and for many years was one of the elders int hat
religious organization. In his death the community was deprived of a familiar and genial
presence and it lost a valued citizen, whose earnest efforts were ever directed to the
uplifting and betterment of his fellow men. Our subject was thrice married and was the
father of a large family of children a number of whom grew to maturity and are among the
useful and respeted citizens of today; and one is numbered among the revered dead who for
their country heroically yielded up their lives during the Civil War. These children on
the paternal side are the descendants of Scotch ancestry. The great grandfather of
Prestley T. McKinney was one of 5 brothers who emigrated from Scotland to America. Two
located in the Territory of PA, two in SC and one in KY. His son, Samuel mcKinney,
married Miss Sallie Forgey in 1802, a native of KY, and to them were born 10 children, of
whom the second son and 5th in order of their birth was our subject. Five of the children
of these pioneer residents of Ohio grew to maturity, and most of them reared sons and
daughters to perpetuate the family name. Of the brothers and sisters of Prestley McKinney,
Betsey became the wife of a Mr. Norris, by whom she had two sons and one daughter; the
third and four child died young; Cyrus died in Ohio and left a family of 4 children, 3
boys and one girl; Susan was the wife of Mr. Stafford and reared 3 children, two sons and
a daughter; Robert died in Dayton OH leaving two sons and three daughters; William died
near Rensselear, Ind and left three sons, one of whom, Samuel was cared for and tenderly
reared by his uncle Prestley, our subject, and who early became identified with the
interests of Fountain County. THe others died young. Our subject was born in 1809, near
New Carlisle, Ohio and in his native state received an excellent common school education
and was also thoroughly instructed in music by his father, who was a professor of the art.
Mr. McKinney taught school immediately after his arrival in Fountain County in 1833, and
on 15 May 1834, was united in marriage with Miss McClure, an intelligent woman, by whom he
became the father of six children, 5 of whom reached mature age. William, a brave and
patriotic man, Captain of Co I, 15th Indiana Regiment, participated in the battle of Stone
River with great gallantry, and soon after died. This heroic young soldier had graduated
with honors from Wabash College, and had been admitted to the Bar as a lawyer, and before
leaving home had taught school in the county one year. Susan, the second child, died at
the early age of 13. Esther, who lives in Burlington, iowa married Carleton Dryden, who
marched with Sherman to the sea. Elizabeth, also of Burlington, Iowa became the wife of
O.K. Vinton, who also served in the Civil War but is now deceased. Mary T, is the wife of
James Armstrong, now of Toldeo, Ohio. Hubert is dead. Our subject lost th emother of
these sons and daughters, and afterward married her sister, Ellanor McClure by whom he had
one child, who died young. The second wife did not long survive her marriage, and Mr.
McKinney once again entered into matrimony, marrying this third time a Miss McClure, of
the same name but no relation of his former wives, who, as before stated, were sisters.
Mrs. Catherine McKinney was the mother of 3 children: Frank E; Charles R; and Eva L, who
becmae the wife of WIlliam Milligan of Waveland, Ind and has two children, Clarence and
Mary. Frank married Belle Harvey of Illinois. Charles R, well known in Newtown and
throughout this county, married Mary E, duaghter of Jared Miller of Kent Co Michigan. Mr.
and Mrs. Charles McKinney have 4 children: Glenn E, Lela Fern, Hazle Lucille and infant,
Georgie L. Prestley McKinney's third wife was a lady of ability and was the daughter
of Nathaniel McClure, a native of VA who afterward resided in KY and OH and who finally
located in Montgomery County, Ind. Mr. McClure's ancestors served in the War of the
Revolution and were originally from Scotland. Our subject always took a deep interest in
the National Government in the support which his immediate descendants so generously aided
in the Civil War. His affiliations were with the Republican Party but he was a just and
liberal man and in local offices gave the best citizens the benefit of his vote. Mr.
McKinney had served as Trustee of Richland Twp, and in the conduct of this official
position gave great satisfaction to all. Our subject was an energetic,capable and
progressive citizen, and as such, and as a kind friend and pleasant neighbor, was mourned
by the entire county.