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         ROBERT McKINNEY, a prominent farmer of Louisa County, residing on Muscatine Island, section 17, Port Louisa Township, was born in Ireland in 1825, and was the fifth child born to John and Mary (Murphy) McKinney, who were also natives of the Emerald Isle, though of Scotch descent. The father was a farmer by occupation, and died in his native land. The mother, accompanied by our subject and four daughters, bade good-by to her home and friends and emigrated to America in 1845, settling in Attica, N. Y., where her death occurred a number of years ago.

Robert had received his education in the district schools before coming to the United States, and after his arrival worked in a foundry, learning to be a molder. In 1852, in the Empire State, he was united in marriage with Sarah McBride, also a native of Ireland, but of Scotch descent, and a daughter of David and Elizabeth (Hall) McBride. Her father dying when she was three years old, and her mother departing this life in 1863, when only eighteen years of age she came to this country alone, embarking in the sailing-vessel “Chimera,” which set sail from Belfast. The voyage was exceedingly rough, and on the way she witnessed two shipwrecks, one vessel sinking, though the crew was saved. Landing at New Orleans, from there she proceeded to St. Louis, next became a resident of Hennipen, Ill., later removed to Elgin, and then went to New York, where her marriage occurred. For three years they resided in New York, after which they removed to Canada, making that their home until 1857, when they became residents of Elgin, Ill., and in the fall of 1860 emigrated to Louisa County, Iowa, settling in Port Louisa Township, where Mr. McKinney purchased forty acres of raw prairie land in 1865, and now has a fine farm.

On the 29th of November, 1862, our subject enlisted in Company F, 37th Iowa Infantry, being mustered into service at Muscatine. With the regiment he was sent to St. Louis, and did garrison duty the greater part of the time, though he participated in the battles of Memphis and Holly Springs, and was discharged at Davenport, May 28, 1865. At the close of hostilities he returned to his home in Iowa, and again engaged in farming. He afterward added to his original purchase sixty acres of land, forty of prairie and twenty of timber, making an aggregate of 100 acres. His barns and out-buildings are all of the best, and the ma- . . .

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. . . chinery of the latest improved kinds. In 1885 Mr. McKinney suffered considerable loss by fire, his farm residence being burned. He has, ever since the organization of the party, voted with the Republicans. He takes an active interest in everything for the good of the community, and is a member of Shelby Norman Post No. 231, at Muscatine.

To Mr. and Mrs. McKinney have been born eleven children, four of whom are living: Mary Jane, now Mrs. Contriman, resides in Santa Rosa, Cal.; Katie resides in St. Louis, and is the wife of Mr. Coleman, a traveling salesman; Maggie, now Mrs. Colie, is living in Elgin, Ill.; and Edward is at home. Those deceased are: John, who died when only four days old; Robert Henry, who died in 1864, at the age of nine years; John died at the age of six years, in 1864; Samuel and David, twins, died in 1864, at the age of two years, all of the above dying of diphtheria. Emma died at the age of two months, in 1868, and Ida died in 1871, when a year old.