John M. McKinney
Elder John M. McKinney was born in Green County, Missouri on April 14, 1832 and January 1, 1913 at his home on Benge Street in McKinney. He was the son of John Meyers McKinney, a pioneer settler of Green County. The family settled in the Forest Grove Community and after the death of his parents John M. lived with "Uncle Billy Snider." He had 5 brother; Giles McKinney, who was for many years a prominent businessman of McKinney; Nelson; Jim; John; and William. He was first married to Eliza Jane Snider who died in 1852. They had one son, Jim McKinney. In 1857 he married Polly Ann Coffey, the daughter of a pioneer settler, Salathiel Coffey. To this union were born the following children: Joe D., George Washington, Mary Ellen (m. Cook), Giles McKinney, John S., and Wiley Benton. He was elected Tax Assessor and Collector for Collin County and served several terms.
When news of the new county seat being moved to McKinney from Old Buckner, Elder J. B. Wilmeth felt that the first thing that a new town should have was a church and on April 1, 1848 a little band of Christians who met on Sundays at the Wilmeth home for worship, went about where the present courthouse stands and organized the First Christian Church under a big tree. (It was not until May 3, 1848 that the Lovejoy store was hauled across the prairie and placed on the northwest corner of the present square.) At the close of the worship service John M. McKinney expressed a wish to be baptized. The group went to Wilson Creek south of McKinney and he and Pete Wetsel were baptized by Elder Frank Wilmeth. After that he preached the gospel for 52 years and as he said never took a penny for his services, not that he was against the practice, but he was a successful farmer and stockman and owned extensive property.
His wife, Polly Ann Coffey, was born June 22, 1840 and died just one week after her husband's death. She came to Collin County with her parents in 1854. She had 16 brothers and sisters; all grew up in Collin County. There are many descendants of this fine couple.
The children of John McKinney's son, Jim, were George, Pearl, Watson, Bess Willis, Aline Pennington, Arliegh, Johnny Marley, and Eugene.
Joe D. McKinney and his wife had four children: Agnes McDonald, Mattie Lou Quesenberry, Garrett, and Henry.
Mary Ellen (m. S. F. Cook) had six children, C. M. Cook, Lee Cook, Vone Bowman, Myrtle Faulkner, Florence Berry, and Lawrence Cook.
Giles McKinney and his wife had 5 children: Eddie Norton, Cecile Thomas, Eustace, Anna Lee Mallow, and Hershal.
John S. McKinney and his wife had 4 children: Dr. Walter McKinney, Edgar, Ruth Harold, and Florence Sparlin.
Wiley M. McKinney and his wife had 4 children: Juanita Floyd, Mary Wiley Czarawitz, Collin, and Bryan.
George Washington McKinney died in childhood.
When news of the new county seat being moved to McKinney from Old Buckner, Elder J. B. Wilmeth felt that the first thing that a new town should have was a church and on April 1, 1848 a little band of Christians who met on Sundays at the Wilmeth home for worship, went about where the present courthouse stands and organized the First Christian Church under a big tree. (It was not until May 3, 1848 that the Lovejoy store was hauled across the prairie and placed on the northwest corner of the present square.) At the close of the worship service John M. McKinney expressed a wish to be baptized. The group went to Wilson Creek south of McKinney and he and Pete Wetsel were baptized by Elder Frank Wilmeth. After that he preached the gospel for 52 years and as he said never took a penny for his services, not that he was against the practice, but he was a successful farmer and stockman and owned extensive property.
His wife, Polly Ann Coffey, was born June 22, 1840 and died just one week after her husband's death. She came to Collin County with her parents in 1854. She had 16 brothers and sisters; all grew up in Collin County. There are many descendants of this fine couple.
The children of John McKinney's son, Jim, were George, Pearl, Watson, Bess Willis, Aline Pennington, Arliegh, Johnny Marley, and Eugene.
Joe D. McKinney and his wife had four children: Agnes McDonald, Mattie Lou Quesenberry, Garrett, and Henry.
Mary Ellen (m. S. F. Cook) had six children, C. M. Cook, Lee Cook, Vone Bowman, Myrtle Faulkner, Florence Berry, and Lawrence Cook.
Giles McKinney and his wife had 5 children: Eddie Norton, Cecile Thomas, Eustace, Anna Lee Mallow, and Hershal.
John S. McKinney and his wife had 4 children: Dr. Walter McKinney, Edgar, Ruth Harold, and Florence Sparlin.
Wiley M. McKinney and his wife had 4 children: Juanita Floyd, Mary Wiley Czarawitz, Collin, and Bryan.
George Washington McKinney died in childhood.
