Thomas W. McKinley was born May 8, 1835, in Weston, Lewis County, West Virginia. He received but a common education, and in 1848 went to California, at the age of sixteen years, where he made a sojourn of ten years, accumulating quite a snug fortune. On his return to his native state, in 1859, he married Miss Margaret Nealy, of Doddridge County. There were four children by this union, two sons and two daughters, three of whom are still living. He buried his wife during the summer of 1869. Nearly two years thereafter he married Miss Anna Adams, of Parkersburg, Wood County, West Virginia, February 7, 1871. To them were born three children, two daughters and one son, all living. He emigrated from Virginia to Henry County, Missouri, in March, 1861, and bought a large tract of fine farming and pasture lands, nearly 1,000 acres in extent, in Windsor Township, his residence commanding a fine view of Windsor and the surrounding country. This was known as the Galewood farm. In 1871 he returned to Virginia, but came back here the same year, and from that time until 1880 was engaged in farming and the general raising of stock. He died August 23, 1880, having been, as was supposed, murdered in his room in Sedalia, as his dead body was found two days thereafter in one of the rooms of the Elgin House in that city. He was a member of the A. O. U. W., under whose auspices he was buried on the 26th inst. Mrs. McKinley, since her husband's death, has continued to conduct the farm. and keeps it well stocked and in a prosperous condition. She still owns 630 acres, upon which is a finely furnished and commodious brick house. She is connected with the Episcopal Church of Sedalia.

(Source - 1883 History of Henry County Missouri, National Historical Co)