McKINNEY-John Wright - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

John Wright McKinney, was born near Springfield, Clark Co Ohio June 17, 1825 and died at Camargo, Illinois July 31, 1897, aged 72 years 1 month 24 days. His father and family moved from Ohio to Montgomery County, Indiana in 1830, where the deceased lived until his 21st year. During the following two years he taught school in Montgomery County, studying medicine meanwhile with an energy and avidity so characteristic of his nature. Mr. McKinney and Mary Roll were joined in matrimony Oct 12, 1848 at Pleasant Hill, Indiana. Soon after his marriage he moved to Hillsboro, Indiana and began the practice of medicine. In 1851, he moved to Camargo, Illinois and continued the practice of his chosen profession. Later he attended lectures at the Jefferson Medical College of Philadelphia, graduating therefrom in 1855. In 1858 he moved to Centralia, Illinois but removed to Camargo the following year. Sept 15, 1862, he enlisted int he 62nd Regt Ill Vol. nif but was shortly transferred to the 63rd Ill Vol. Inf and appointed surgeon of the regiment, with the rank of major, in which capacity he served during the remainder of the war, most of the time in Gen. John A. Logan's corps - the notable 15th Army Corps. He was mustered out April 9, 1865. Before the 63rd joined General Sherman's army it was engaged in the battles of Vicksburg, MS, MIssion Ridge, etc. After joining Gen. Sherman's army his regiment was active int he attack on the Ogeechee Canal and Miller's Sattion and participated in the long list of famous battles of Sherman's army during his famous "march to the sea." During its active service the 63rd regiment traveled some 6,453 miles. After the war Dr. McKinney resumed his practice of medicine and surgery at Camargo with marked success. He was author of the bill granting the formation of Douglas County and gave the county its name in honor of the "Little Giant," Stephen A. Douglas. The deceased served several terms as supervisor of Camargo Twp. In politics he was a Democrat. While he did not belong to any church, he possessed strong convictions of man's duty to his God, his country, his family and himself, and practiced doing good and being honest all the days of his life. Sept 25, 1870, Mary, his wife died at their Camargo home, respected and beloved by her husband and all who knew her. Sept 10, 1871, Dr. McKinney and Minnie A. Coykendall were joined in wedlock and lived happily together until death separted them. The Dr. was a prominent member of the AF&AM Camargo Lodge No. 440, KnightsTemplar;Frank Reed Post GAR; County and State Medical Socieities, and was a prominent and respected citizen of his township, county and state, being considered one of the most capable and successful physicians and surgeons of central Illinois. He was a member of the local or county pension examining board, serving in that capacity two terms. During Dr. McKinney's late illness - general physical relaxation - he was attended constantly by his wife and children. His express wish, that his family nurse and care for him, was gratified. During these two months all of his family and children were able to be at his bedside and administer to his wants, night and day. His strong will power and remarkable energy coupled with the desire to recover his health, no doubt, prolonged his days. During his last illness the Dr. was ever mindful of the wants of his family, prescribing rest and medicine for them if at any time he fancied they needed it. Dr. McKinney died in the same house he had lived for almost half a century - 46 years. He died as he lived, loving and beloved by his family, neighbors and friends. His leading characteristics were his honesty in his dealings with his fellow men and his integrity as a physician and citizen. He possessed an indomitable will and a conviction of purpose that won him many a battle in the fights for his life for his patients. He was courageous as a lion, yet withal tender and sympathetic as a woman. He was liberal and generous administering to the poor as skillfully and carefully as to the rich.