ROBERT H. McKINNEY was born November 26, 1845, in Todd County, Ky. His parents are William W. and Rebecca (Griffin) McKinney, natives of Kentucky. The parents of William W. were John and Naomi (Ridgedill) McKinney, natives of South Carolina. John died in 1834, aged sixty-five. His wife died in 1824, aged about 50 years. Of their eleven children, Nancy Rector, of Texas, and William W. are all who survive. The latter is one of the respected, good farmers of the county, owning at present writing 300 acres of land. His first marriage, to Rebecca Griffin, August 25, 1840, resulted in the birth of seven children, viz.: Mary E., John C., Robert H., Dicey A., Rebecca C. (deceased), Elizabeth E. (deceased), and Nancy J. (deceased). The mother’s death occurred February 13, 1870, aged about forty-nine years. She was a life-long and devoted member of the Christian Church. Mr. McKinney was married next, in 1871, to Mary E. Grissam. Jennie, William W., Jr., Elizabeth and Naomi are the children. Both parents are members of the Christian Church. Robert IL, our subject, is a farmer and stock dealer. He owns 100 acres of improved land under good cultivation. He raises wheat, corn, tobacco and grass. He has been quite successful in business and has an encouraging outlook. He was married November 11, 1869, to Miss Melissa L. Shelton, daughter of N. J. and Polly Shelton, the former late of this county. They were honored and worthy citizens. N. J., the father, died June 20, 1876, aged fifty-eight years. The mother is still living in this county. The father was, and the mother still is a worthy and devoted member of the Baptist Church. The marriage of R. H. and M. L. McKinney was blessed in the birth of one child-William Henry-an interesting and lovely boy, who departed this life October 3, 1875, at the age of five years. His sickness lasted only three days. Both parents have been acceptable members of the Christian Church for many years.
