History of Trigg County, Historical and Biographical, ed. W.H. Perrin,
F.A. Battey Pub. Co., Chicago, 1884. pp. 196-97.  [Cadiz Precinct]

MAT McKINNEY, editor of the Old Guard.  Samuel McKinney and Charlotte
Walker Rowlette were both natives of the State of Virginia.  The former
was born in Charlotte County and the latter in Prince Edward.  They were
married in Halifax County in 1821.  Mat McKinney, their son, subject of
this sketch, was born near Appomattox Court House, the 26th day of
December, 1825.  He labored on a farm until he was a good stout boy, when
he was placed in a mercantile establishment as salesman and book-keeper.
His health giving way, his father required him to surrender his place in
the house and seek employment in some other branch of industry. But little
attention up to this time had been paid to his education, and feeling the
necessity of a more intimate knowledge of books, desired first the
advantages of a few years' schooling.  His father being amply able to do so
gave a ready and willing assent.  He was consequently entered as a student
in the male seminary at Cadiz, and afterward at Cumberland College,
Princeton, Ky.  He continued at school about two years, during which time
he had pretty well mastered the Latin language, and made considerable
progress in Greek and the high branches of mathematics.  Upon leaving
school he commenced the study of law in Cadiz with Judge Collins D.
Bradley.  Remaining with him for the space of two years he was granted a
law license, and commenced the practice.  He devoted himself to the
profession for about eighteen months, when a severe attack of hemorrhage of
the lungs so discouraged him that he abandoned the pursuit of the
profession forever.  Soon after the resolution was taken we find him
formally invested with the duties of an editor, which position he has
occupied with occasional intermissions up to the present date.  His paper
has always been very popular with the masses, and his articles read with
more than ordinary interest throughout the entire State.  As a journalist,
he was ever regarded as polite and conservative, but no one doubted his
capacity in the use of harsh terms when the provocation was sufficient to
justify them.  He was a warm friend and admirer of George D. Prentice, and
in turn very much beloved by him, and retains in his possession more than
one invitation from him to take a position on the editorial staff of the
old Journal.  As a politician he is always firm, sometimes a little
disorderly, but never fanatical, and would prefer to see the business
interest of his town enhanced and the people of his county more prosperous
and more happy than the success of all the parties and politicians in the
world.  He has never been an office-seeker, but was elected and served from
1861 to 1864 as Clerk of the County Court of Trigg County, and as a
Representative in the Legislature from 1873 to 1877.  He had at one time
accumulated quite a handsome little fortune, the bulk of which he spent for
negro property, and a few security debts relieved him of the residue.
During his whole life it is said that he never refused a friend a favor
when he was able to grant it.  He is now poor, but, fortunately for
himself, in society at least, his vivacity and cheerfulness have never
forsaken him.  He married Miss Jennie Bell Watson, a lady of great
accomplishment and goodness, the 28th day of August, 1855.  They have three
children living: Mollie Walker, Charles Daniel and Jennie Watson.  The
G. B. Bingham, a most estimable young gentleman.  The other two are still
single.  He is very proud of his wife, and has high expectations of his
children.  May the Great Dispenser of this world's pleasures grant him a
full realization of all his hopes!

McKinney Rowlette Bradley Prentice Bingham Watson
=
Princeton-Caldwell-KY Charlotte-VA Prince_Edward-VA

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/trigg/mckinney.m.txt