McKINLEY, Judge Michael L. -- 1871-1951

MCKINLEY, WATERS

Posted By: IA Gen Web Volunteer
Date: 9/10/2010 at 15:03:01

JUDGE McKINLEY INTERRED FRIDAY

Judge Michael L. McKinley, 80, superior court judge of Chicago and a former resident of this community, died at his apartment in Chicago last Tuesday, May 8, and funeral services were held Friday.

Judge McKinley, a veteran of 40 years on the bench, succumbed to a heart condition that had been troubling him since February. "Mike" McKinley was born on a farm south of Postville in Grand Meadow township in 1871. He entered the University of Iowa in 1891 and was outstanding on the 1893-94 football teams, two of the earliest teams to represent the university.

Graduating with a law degree in 1895, he was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1896. In 1903 he was elected to the Illinois house of representatives, where he served two terms.

In 1908 he was named to the Chicago civil service and later he was chairman of the group's committee to draft a charter for the city of Chicago. He was elected a judge of the Cook county superior court in 1911 and reelected every six years since. He also served on the Chicago criminal court.

One of the Judge McKinley's lifelong projects was to assist worthy and needy athletes and students in attending his alma mater. He provided transportation and other expense money for students who otherwise would never have gone to school.

In 1947 Judge McKinley was one of 99 Iowa alumni honored at the university's centennial homecoming as especially distinguished in their respective fields.

The judge founded the Chicago Alumni club of Iowa, and was responsible for the creating of four four-year scholarships to the university.

Postville Herald newspaper clipping, hand dated 1951, from Dorothy Schave's obituary collection.

Submitter's note: Judge Michael McKinley is a brother to Dr. Archibald McKinley and thus a son of Mr. and Mrs. James McKinley.