John McKinney, of Staunton, Virginia, served in the American army during the latter part of the revolution, and had his thigh broken by a musket ball, which lamed him for life. He settled at Lexington, Kentucky, where he taught school, and was elected Sheriff of the County. He married a Mexican woman, by whom he raised a large family. In 1805 he came to Missouri on a trading and prospecting tour, and in 1809 he moved his family here. When the Indian war began, he took his family back to Kentucky, to get them out of danger. His son Alexander remained married Nancy Bryan, who was only sixteen years of age, and settled near Charrette creek, in (now) Warren County. He was a surveyor and a fine business man, and accumulated a fortune before his death. He also served in the State Legislature during several sessions. His sister Elizabeth married John King, who settled near Marthasville. John McKinney traveled back and forth between Kentucky and Missouri as long as he lived, trading in land and land warrants.