David McKinney was born January 11, 1811, at Winchester, Clark County, Kentucky. In 1825 as a boy of 14 he immigrated to Warren County, Missouri. At this time we don't know who his parents were or with whom he went to Missouri. He enlisted in the Frontier service during the Indian Black Hawk Wars. He enlisted at St. Charles, Co., Mo. Aug 4, 1832, under Capt. Nathan Boone, with Nathan Boone's Mounted Rangers.

In February 1833 he was detailed with others to make and prepare a crossing over the Arkansas River, near the mouth of the Neosho River, in order that wagons and teams could cross over. While engaged in digging on the South bank of the river, for the purpose of making a landing, he was struck on the right foot with a mattock in the hands of a fellow soldier, who was aiding in the work, the mattock cutting through his foot and breaking the bones. He was unable to walk for about a month, then he was compelled to use crutches for another month. He remained with his company while he mended. The company being encamped near the junction of the Arkansas River and Neosho River about a mile from Fort Gibson.

About the 1st. of June 1833 he was out from camp with others after meat and was shot by the Indians, being injured through the left leg with an arrow. He was taken prisoner and held captive for about five weeks. He was able to escape and rejoin his company. He was released August 3, 1833, when his enlistment was up.

He married Maria Louisa Massie near Herman, Gasconde Co., Missouri on 14 May 1834. They were married by James McBride at the home of Captain Peter Massie, her father. He worked on his brother's farm as overseer, presumably in Gasconde co. until 1846 when he bought 40 acres from the U.S. in Franklin Co., Mo. He was in and around both Gasconde and Franklin Cos. until 1867, nearly 40 years. During this time David and Maria brought five sons into the world: Augustus James on October 28, 1838, John William on December 17, 1841, Anthony Wayne on October 25, 1845, David Winfield on July 14, 1851, and finally Alexander Rodney on August 15, 1858. Tragedy struck their home on May 6, 1866, when an untimely accident took the life of their son David Winfield, aged 14 years.

David was said to have crossed the plains by wagon train four times. One of these times most likely during his time in the military. These trips may account in part for the span of time between children.

David was unable to do work that required much walking after the injury to his right foot. The injury bothered him such that in 1867 he decided to go into the business of herding cattle, as this could be done on horseback. He began his cattle herding in Johnson Co., Mo., then in 1869 on to Lafayette Co., Mo., then in the spring of 1877 he went to Barber County, Kansas where he herded cattle until his lameness combined with a loss of some of his sight made it necessary to give up cattle herding. He could no longer read the brands on the cattle.

David lived out his last years with his wife Maria near Medicine Lodge, Barber Co., Kansas. He was near his two sons, Wayne and Alex.

David McKinney was born 11 January 1811 in Winchester, Clark Co., Kentucky. He died at his home in Medicine Lodge, Kansas at 4 O'clock Saturday morning April 21 1888. Deceased had been gradually declining in health for almost a year, and for three months had been confined to his bed. During all of this sickness he had never shown the least feelings of impatience, but frequently remarked that he was ready to go when his master called. He died surrounded by his faithful wife, two sons and several of his intimate friends.

On 22 April 1888 on Sunday, he was buried by the Masonic order of this city. At his written request, made several weeks before death, his coffin, a plain one, was made by his friends T. M. Kidd and C. F. Freeman, he being prejudiced against gaudy caskets, and instead of using a hearse, the remains were hauled to the grave in an ordinary spring wagon. The only religious services were conducted at the house by Rev. Sanderson, of the Methodist Church, the pastor of the Christian Church being absent.

In 1825 he emigrated to Warren County, Missouri, where he lived three years and then moved to Franklin Co., Missouri, and after the war, he moved to Lafayette Co., Missouri, and from there in 1880, he moved to Barber Co., Kansas. In 1832 he enlisted in the Black Hawk War under Capt. Nathan Boone and served in the frontier service for one year. May 14, 1834 he was married to Miss Maria Massie, of Franklin Co., Missouri and of this union were born 5 sons, three of whom yet survive. These being John William McKinney of Springfield, Missouri, and Wayne and Alex McKinney of this county. The wife of his youth also survives him and was constantly at his side during his last sickness.

Mr. McKinney was made a Master Mason by Olive Branch lodge at Union, Franklin Co., Missouri in 1851; he afterwards demitted and joined Washington Lodge, at Washington, Missouri; and then demitted and assisted in organizing a new lodge at New Haven, Missouri, being its first senior warden; was elected and installed master in 1865, served one year; and when he moved to Lafayette County, became a member of Lexington Lodge; and when Delta Lodge #77 of this city was organized he became a charter member.

For many years he had been a consistant member of the of the Christian church and he was a regular attendant at the services in this city. Mr. McKinney numbered his friends every citizen who knew him, and as a kind neighbor and faithful friend he had no superiors.