Solano County Biographies

GEORGE C. McKINLEY

Transcribed by Kathy Sedler

This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives
http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm

 
born in Madison county, Illinois, July 2, 1832.  In 1840, he moved with his 
parents to Missouri and then commenced his studies, which he finished in 
Gonzales county, Texas, whither he went in 1845.  In 1852 he emigrated to Los 
Angeles county, California, along with his father and mother, but, as there was 
much trouble in that district in respect to land titles, at the end of seven 
months they left for Sacramento; where he was employed in the nursery and 
vegetable garden of Paul Hamilton, where he continued for three years.  In 1855, 
Mr. McKinley made another trip to the southern counties of the State in quest of 
land, but finding the former stumbling blocks still prevailing he remained but a 
short time and then returned to Sacramento, from whence he made for Lynchburg, 
near Oroville, and for two months pursued mining and finally returned to 
Sacramento.  On October 6, 1856, he and his parents settled on the knoll south 
of Dixon, where the cemetery is now located, and there pitched their tents, 
which was soon followed by the construction of a dwelling house.  Mr. McKinley�s 
father was an unfortunate passenger on board the steamer �Washoe� when she blew 
up near Rio Vista, on September 4, 1864, when he received injuries which 
resulted in his death at Sacramento, September 21, 1864.  His mother still 
resides with him.  In September, 1871, Mr. McK. was elected County Recorder, an 
office which he held for two years.  He married, December 17, 1860, Miss Emeline 
Benton, who was born in Jo. Daviess county, Illinois, September 28, 1842, by 
whom he has:  William B., Addison B., Charlotte, deceased, George, Robert L., 
Sidney S., Paulina, Lucino D.
 
History of Solano County � San Francisco, Cal. - Wood, Alley  & Co., East 
Oakland, pub 1879, pp 499-500