Marion County, West Virginia    Biography of Hon. O. S. MCKINNEY

**************************************************************************
USGENWEB NOTICE: Material may be freely used by non-commercial entities, 
as long as this message remains on all copied material, AND permission is 
obtained from the contributor of the file.

These pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation 
by other organizations.  Persons or organizations desiring to use this 
material for non-commercial purposes, MUST obtain the written consent of 
the contributor.

Submitted by Joan Wyatt, <mewyatt@uakron.edu>, March 2000
**************************************************************************

The History of West Virginia, Old and New
Published 1923, The American Historical Society, Inc.
Chicago and New York, Volume 11
Hon. O.S. McKinney- Fairmont


     In the course of a busy lifetime, now measured by over threescore
and ten, O.S.McKinney has become widely known over West Virginia, though
he has never had a home in any other community than Fairmont. The most
important work associated with his name has been as editor and publisher
of the Times, of which as a molder of public opinion he was unswerving
in his loyalty to his city and state and ranked with the most prominent
writers of his day and at one time refused a lucrative offer to become
editorially associated with a national daily in the capital city of our
National Government.
     As a leader of the democratic party in West Virginia he has long
been recognized as one of the most influential members of the party and
one who did not seek personal gratification or honor so much for himself
as for the success of the party and honor to his native state.
     Mr. McKinney was born in Fairmont in Marion Co., in 1849, son of
John S. and Matilda (Sullivan) McKinney, the former a native of
Monongalia Co. and the latter of Harrison Co., West Virginia. O.S.
McKinney aquired a common school education, and almost the first
employment he had in the line of a salaried position or preparation for
a life career was in a printing office. Printing and publishing has
bulked large in his personal business experience. For several years Mr.
McKinney printed the records and reports of the West Virginia Court Of
Appeals. He then became part owner and editor of the Fairmont Index, and
in company with Col. C.L. Smith he established the Fairmont Times and
was its editor for twenty years. Mr. McKinney has been a director of the
National Bank of Fairmont since its organization. This is one of the
three largest financial institutions of West Virginia.
     In 1899 Mr. McKinney served in the State Legislature, at which
session it has been said some of the most brilliant and intellectual men
in the state composed that body, of which he was elected Speaker of the
House and during which session much important legislation was enacted,
bringing glory and honor to himself and his constituents. It is said
even to this day that he was the leader and speaker of the finest, and
most intellectually brilliant body of men ever gathered in the House. As
a democrat he was chairman of the State Central Committee in 1904, and
in the same year was a delegate at large to the National Convention in
St. Louis. He was a  district delegate to the National Convention in
1916.
     In 1874 he married Annabell Ayers, who died in 1921, after they
were married for forty-seven years. Her children are Nola, Margaret E.,
Odell P. and Mrs. Mary L. Weaver of Morgantown.
     Mr. McKinney is identified with all branches of Masonry, being a
member of Fairmont Lodge, No. 9, A.F. and A.M., is a knight Templar and
Scottish Rite Mason, and is treasurer of the Board of Trustees of the
Grand Lodge, which has in charge the erection of the Masonic Home. He
served as grand master of the Grand Lodge of Odd Fellows in 1882, and is
a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks. Mr. McKinney is a
member of the Society of the Sons of the American Revolution, being
eligible to that society through his grandfather Patrick Sullivan, who
was a soldier under General Morgan in the war of independence. Alaways
interested in educational affairs, Mr. McKinney served a number of years
as a member of the Board of Education at Fairmont, and has also been
local regent of the Sate Normal School.
     One who has known him intimately for over a quarter of a century
has said of him: There have been very few if any men in Fairmont who
have taken a greater civic pride in the city than the Hon. O.S.
McKinney, and many times has served its interests to his own detriment
from a financial viewpoint. He has played his part honorably and well in
making Fairmont one of the finest cities in Northern West Virginia- and
in his case the biographer can agree with the Greek philosopher who
said" A prophet is not without honor save in his own Country", for Mr.
McKinney is well honorably known throughout his native state, as well as
adjoining states. Although at this time he has retired from active
business affairs, he is still called upon to assist in the upbuilding of
the state and its institutions, and takes a leading and prominent part
in the state's welfare, financially and morally.