San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-10-07
Descendants of Texas Pioneer
Will Raise Funds for Memorial
ORGANIZATION at Val Ais
tyne, Formed of Relatives
Of Collin Mckinney, Ex-
poets to Raise Money for
Suitable Memorial Among
Members.

The purpose of this organization as
outlined by its founders. all Of whom
are direct descendants of Collin Nc
Kinney. pioneer of the early days in
Texas and one of the founders of the
Texas Republic. is the raising of a
fund for the purpose of erecting over
his grave a suitable memorial.
Mckinney is buried in the ceme-
terry at Van Alstyne.
1t is not the purpose of the or
ganizstion to ask that the public con-
tribute to this fund, it being intended
that all moneys shall be given by the
members of the association. the
descendants of six of Mckinney's
children being segregated into groups
and each group being asked TO con-
tribute $1,000 Of the $4,000 which it
is proposed TO raise.
1t is estimat ! that at least 10
per cent of the population of the
Van Alstyne community as it now
stands is directly or indirectly related
to the Mckinney family. In other
sections of Texas and in other states
as well, are to be found u number of
people who are in some way con-
nected by their descent with Collin
Mckinney. 1t is TO these that the
association is directing its appeal for
funds with which to carry out its
plans.
List of Officers.
The officers of the Collin Nc
Kinney Descendants Memorial As
ISOLATION" are: Miss Laura Milan,
Houston, president; X. 5. Fulton,
Van Alstyne, secretary; J. L. Kelly,
Van Alstyne. treasurer; Mrs. Willia
Carver. J. d. l.. Mckinney, James
A. Mckinney and Mrs. Sallie Tay-
lor, of Van Alstyne; Mrs. Bette Law
renee of Houston, and Mrs. Mamie
Laura Bryant and John W. Mckin-
ney of Anna, the vice presidents.
Each is a descendant in direct
line Of Collin Mckinney.
1t is probably true that Of all the
men having a CONSPICUOUS part in
the history of. Texas as a part OF
Mexico, as a republic and as a mem
Der Of the union of states, the least
is known and said with accuracy OF
Collin Mckinney.
From the time that he came into
Texas until the day of his death, he
was. resident of that part of the
state known as North Texas" His
ability as an engineer and surveyor
is principally responsible for the ap-
proximately square shape of most OF
the tier of counties in this immedi-
ate part of Texas. and it is certain
that no man in this section of the
state welded az strong an influence,
or contributed in such large measure
of his energy and ability to the lay
ing of the foundation upon which
this great state and its institutions
rests, as did Collin Mckinney.
Took Part In Boston Tea Party"
Mckinney's father, who had come
to this country from Scotland, the
place of his bi. th. was a member of
the famous Boston Tea Party" the
first organized opposition manifested
toward the policy of the mother coun-
try, England, in the American colonies
and which eliminated in the revolu-
tiOn-and freedom.
The elder Mckinney was a resi-
dent of New Jersey when Collin Me-
Kinney was born on April II. 1768.
From New Jersey, the Mckinney
family moved first to Virginia, and
later, in 1850 moved to Kentucky,
living in that state until 1924. 1t
was in Kentucky that Collin McKin-
ney grew to manhood, becoming one
of the pioneers in the work of win
ming that wilderness for civilization.
Lessons learned in fighting Indians
in Kentucky were invaluable to him
in the years afterwards in Texas.
On February 10, 1902, Mckinney
was married to Miss Annie Moore.
Of the four children born to them
two, Ashley and Polly, grew to man
and womanhood and have descend
ants now living in various parts OF
Texas and other states. Mrs. Nc
Kinney died on May q, 1904. On
April IA, 1906, Mckinney was mar
ried the second time TO Miss Betsy
Coleman. To them were born six
children, William c., Annie, Amy
Peggy, Eliza and Younger Scott, the
latter being twins. OF the issue OF
his second marriage, Annie and Am!
have no direct descendants living, a:
far as is known. In the memoria
association membership is included
the descendants of William c., Peggy
whose husband was Mr.. James: Eliz;
whose husband was Mr.. Milan
Polly, whose husband was a Mr.. Nc
Kinney; Ashley, and Younger Scot
Mckinney.
Located Near Texarkana.
On September 10, 1924, with hi
family, Collin Mckinney moved west
ward, locating first at what was be
tiieycd to be a part of Texas. at
point six miles east of Texarkana
Later, in 1881, they moved into wha
is now Bowie county, Texas, remain
ing there until 1896. when they move,
to a point near what is now tn
Collin-Grayson county line, which be
came their permanent home, an
where Mckinney died on Septembe
&, 1861, at the age of 90 years, fou
months, twenty-one days.
In recognition of his services {
Texas, the county of Collin and tn
city Of Mckinney are named.
Collin Mckinney played a con
spicuous part in the struggle for FREQ
dom 70? Texas. He was a membe
of the convention which dissolved th
bonds existing between Texas an
Mexico. He was a member of tn
provisional government organized ]
1885. He was n signer of tn
Declaration of independence of TIE,
as, promulgated in 1886. and was on
of the authors Of the first constitr
ton written for the state. He repre-
scented what was then Red Rive
county in four congresses of the n
public of Texas, and in local affair
in North Texas. his advice and cour
sci was frequently sought.
OF limited school advantages,
Twas educated in the hard school