McKinley was born in Culpeper County, Virginia on May 1, 1780 but grew up in Kentucky. He studied law on his own, and was admitted to the bar in 1800. He first practiced law in Kentucky but then moved to Huntsville Alabama where he became active in local politics. In 1820 he was elected to the Alabama state legislature. In 1826 he was elected to the United States Senate, where he served until 1831. He was elected to the US House of Representatives in 1833, where he served for one term. In 1837 President Martin Van Buren appointed McKinley to the Supreme Court. There he served for 14 years until his death in 1852.
portrait — John McKinley
John McKinley
John Associate Justice 1838-1852
McKinley was born in Culpeper County, Virginia on May 1, 1780 but grew up in Kentucky. He studied law on his own, and was admitted to the bar in 1800. He first practiced law in Kentucky but then moved to Huntsville Alabama where he became active in local politics.