John was the son of Robert McKinley and Sarah McKee.

He married Lydia Ann Aitken 16 Jul 1885 in Prosperity UP Church, Sadowa, Randolph County, Illinois. John and Lydia had the following children: Sadie Evalenia and Minnie Florence.

A newspaper account tells the story of the tragic death of Lydia. On 27 Feb 1889, the family was in a wagon and attempted to ford Mud Creek. The water was high and they missed the ford. John was able to save the children but Lydia drowned.

For all his efforts to save his family, Minnie died a short time later on 19 Mar 1889 in Tilden, Randolph County, Illinois.

On 6 Aug 1891 John married Minnie Florence Plumber in St Louis, St Louis City, Missouri. John and Minnie have the following children who live to adulthood: Harrison Reid, Olive Ruth, Ethel Mae, Ralph William, and Grace Edith. All of their children were born in Illinois, either Randolph or Washington County. On 9 May 1908, Minnie dies in Saint Louis, Saint Louis City, Missouri.

Early, on 20 Feb 1900, John also lost Sadie. She died in Tilden, Randolph County, Illinois.

John continues to live in the Tilden area with no subsequent marriages. He farms and raises his remaining children.

John's obit appears in The Marissa Messenger, Marissa, Illinois, 8 Jan 1943.

"John McKinley Of Tilden Dies
John W. McKinley, a well known farmer of the Tilden-Coulterville community, died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Glenn Dickey in that community on December 19th. He was aged 78 years, seven months and five days.
Funeral services were held in the U.P. church at Tilden on Monday afternoon of last week with Rev. L. F. Park officiating. Interment was made in Old Salem cemetery.
Mr. McKinley is survived by several brothers and sisters."

In addition, his five children with Minnie survive and all have children and grandchildren of their own.