JOSEPH MCKINLEY

HARTFORD REPUBLICAN

FEBRUARY 26, 1892

JOSEPH MCKINLEY

            The subject of this sketch was born in Ohio county, near Bell’s Run Church, July 11, 1843.  His father, Ben McKinley, died when he was very young and his mother, Charlotte Bozarth McKinley, died when he was fourteen years of age.  His step-father, Moses Spencer, was a great hunter in the early days of the county.  Joseph was the oldest of eight children and being left an orphan at such an early age, had a hard struggle to get on in life.  He had little or no educational advantage but by close application at home he has acquired a very good business education for a man of his age.

            May 12, 1863, he was married to Miss Cyntha Sharp, sister of Fleming Sharp, one of the richest farmers of the Crane Pond country.  To them was born ten children, all living but two, Ida P., who died two years ago and a child that died an infant.  The living are Samuel, Fleming, Benjamin Porter, Isaac Newton, Rousseau, Della May, Joseph, Jessie Davis and Loney Cleveland.  Mr. McKinley’s first wife died March 15, 1890.  He was married to Miss Susan Chapman, Oct. 1, 1891.  He has always been a great tobacco raiser, his crops of tobacco often reaching fifteen thousand pounds and more.  In religion he is a Baptist, in politics a Democrat.  He is a Master Mason, a member of Joseph Ellis’ Lodge at Bell’s Run.

            He was elected twelve years ago to fill the unexpired term of Hiram Chapman in the Buford Magisterial District and has been re-elected three times in succession.  He is a man of great energy, a friend of education and of public improvements and is very popular among his acquaintances.