Bio of Francis M. McKinney from “A Portrait and Biographical Record of Delaware and Randolph Counties, Ind., Containing Biographical Sketches of Many Prominent and Representative Citizens…”

Francis M. McKinney was a son of George W. McKenney (McKinney) and Rhoda Scarborough. George McKenney was a son of Robert McKenney and Margaret of Ohio. Our George W. McKenney is not a son of George W. and Rhoda, but they were relations. I would be very interested in hearing from anyone descended down the line from George and Rhoda.

The bio has a few errors. For one, there is no Custer County in Pennsylvania. George W. McKinney and Rhoda wed circa 1835. They both having been born in 1816, an 1827 marriage date was impossible.

FRANCIS M. McKINNEY, a widely known and prominent farmer of Green township, Ind., was born in Guernsey county, Ohio, March 4, 1836. He is the son of George and Rhoda (Scarbaugh) McKinney. The father was born in Custer county. Pa., in 1806. When three years of age he was taken to Guernsey county and remained on his father’s farm until he was twenty year’s of age. His education was limited to the three months of winter schooling, and this at a subscription school of “ye olden time.” In the year 1827 he was united in marriage to Miss Rhoda Scarbaugh and began his business life in Monroe county, Ohio. In 1830 he came to Indiana, making this state his home until his death, July 14, 1892. While not a recognized member of any religious society, his religious views were very strong. In politics he was a democrat, and he died in unwavering faith in the tenets of his party. His son, Francis M. McKinney, lived with his father on the farm until the twenty-second year of his age, leading the ordinary life of the farmer boy. In winter he attended the district school, where he acquired the education which stood him in such good need in after years, and so greatly assisted him in attaining his future fortune.

At the age of twenty-two Mr. McKinney was married to Miss Barbara Miller, daughter of Jacob and Sarah Miller. They were married in Indiana and took their wedding tour, in a covered wagon, through the wilds of the west, stopping at the Missouri frontier. Both were young, brave and ambitious, and willing and ready to face the dangers and vicissitudes of life together in this new and almost untried land, depending upon each other for comfort and companionship. However, not being satisfied with the far west, they turned their faces eastward and stopped in Green township, Randolph county, Ind., in 1861, and became tenants of the farm of Samuel Caylor, remaining on the place nine years, when, in 1870, Mr. McKinney bought his present home. Since his residence on this farm he has lived in the same dwelling. Though no children have been born to them, their home has been a happy and contented one. His religious faith is of the Dunkards and his politics democratic. His farm consists of eighty acres of fine land, and from it, by industry and good management, the home is well filled with the substantial comforts of country life. Mr. McKinney stands high in the esteem of his neighbors and friends and is thoroughly respected by all who know him.