The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-08-16
GOVERNOR" M'KlNNEY

Brief sketch of His Life.
Captain Phillip Watkins Mckinney
vas born In the county of Bucklng-
1am. at New Store. the ome of his ia
her. Dir Charles Mckinney. who was
'ue ot the most prosperous of the mer-
chants Of bis day. and who left large
family of children. four Of whom are
esldents Of Farmville.
Captain Mckinney graduated at
ilampGen Sidney College in the class
f ISL, ana received the medal Of bis
-ociely. the PhIlanthr0pic. as its best
debator. This was the first time the
lOlOr had been given in the history OF
the college on Of the society. and me- er
has d. been more worthily gwen sin, e.
ie went from Hampden Sidney TO
Washington College. now Washington
and Lee University. and prepared him
self for the practice Of the law under
ihe guidance Of that grand old gentle
man and accomplished jurist, Judge
Bro keubOrough. Having been furnish
cd for the fight. he returned to the
home field and al once gained the con-
iideLce If his and his father 5 friends,
aud was finally, established IN lucra-
tive law business. At that time he was
an earnest Wing, and when some
one was needed TO cross lances
with ". Is. Shepherd an aspiring young
Democratic lawyer. and 10 contest with
him for seat IN the Legislature, all
eyes turned 10 Mckinney, and the ban
Ter was given TO him to bear. Those
who remember the fight spoke in glow
log terms Of his gallantry and courage
and bis ability. During tie canvass he
was often pltted against the Hon. h. W.
Hubbard. the father OF the pr sent
Seua or from that county, who
was then mature and very able
man and strong and attrac-
tive pubic speaker. An eye-wit-
ness Of their first meeting gives glow
ing account Of the young man ; maiden
victory on the stump. The contest was
bOtly waged, and thought the county
was a close one. Shepherd having rep
resented IN the session previous, Nc
Kinney was elected by decided major
Ity. In the Legislature. as in college
and IN his county, he was soon rec0g-
nizeI as a man OF mark, and stood IN
liue with such men a. James Barbour.
James l. Kemper aud other worthless Of
thar day
When Virginia severed her connec-
ton with the Union her son went with
her. not mat he loved the Union less.
but hls mother State more. AS captain
OF troop of cavalry raised ia bis ma
i've county and chiefly through his
own exeTtiOns. he did splendid service
IN the field until disabling wound, re-
ceived IN the forefront OF battle. render
ed hlm unfit for further duty there and
he was after that and until the close of
the struggle doing all that his crippled
condition would permit of TO promote
the success OF d cause which was very
near 10 him. AT the close of the war
he made farmvIlle his home, and soon
gained front rank at the bar and en-
vlaOle place IN the confidence and love
OF all who knew him.
His practice grew rapidly. and soon
became an absorbing one. He was con-
nected with well nigh every case Of
importance in this and adjoining coun
ties, and 1t was not long before his
reputation as advocate reached other |
States. and he was frequently sent for
to take leading part in prominent
causes there as well as at home. The
practice OF law IN hls section of the
State has greatly declined of late years,
but his has been growing all the time.
md he Is kept busy going from county
10 county. having, IN dozen or more
IF them, cases involving large sums of
money and nice questions Of law. As
1 politician he has done more hard 4
work and received less Of reward than /
lpy other man OF the party. Since I
$50 until now he has been an active ,
PARTICIPANT. an earnest worker. an ef-
ectiye canyasser in every campaign |