Capt. David McKinney, farmer; P. O. Arcola; the subject of this sketch was born in Butler Co., Ohio, March 22, 1837. He married Miss Catharine Rork Jan. 25, 1866; she was born same place; they have six children, viz., Ida May, Oron W., Charles N., Jessie, Otto and Ruey he lived in Ohio until he was 21, when he came to Illinois and settled in Coles, now Douglas Co., near Arcola; in December, 1861, he enlisted in the 54th I. V. I., he being Orderly of Co. I, and after seven months’ service he was made Second Lieutenant, and after serving one year in this office, he was elected and promoted to Captain of Co. I; he was in the service four years, or during the war, and was in the battles of Shiloh, Vicksburg, Helena, Little Rock, Ashley Station, where he was taken prisoner and was paroled after nineteen days’ captivity; then being exchanged, he resumed his command and took part in the other battles of the regiment. After returning from the army, he came to Arcola and lived there until 1871; be then came to his present place and has lived here since; he has held the office of Highway Commissioner and School Director, and is at present School Trustee; he owns 120 acres in this township, which he has earned by his own labor and management.
