McKINNEY-Prestley T. - Fountain County INGenWeb Project

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 in the 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 o f 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 R egiment, 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 t he 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.