"John 'Wildcat' Mckinney, representative from Bourbon County, came out to Kentucky at an early date and built his school some 'Thirty or forty steps' east of the east gate of the fort at Lexington, said to be the first school house in Kentucky. He was born about 1750 and was married in Augusta Co., VA., to Mary Trimble, daughter of David Trimble. Because of his heroic struggle with a wildcat that came into his school house when he finally choke it to death he was styled 'Wildcat McKinney'. Captain Mckinney rendered service in the Revolution. He died Sept. 27, 1825, and was buried near Clintonville, Bourbon County."
ref.: "Kentucky in Retrospect", by Drake, Wilson and Ardery

MCKINNEY, John McKinney, of Staunton, VA., served in the American army during the latter part of the revolution, and had his thigh broken by a musket ball, which lamed him for life. He settled at Lexington, KY., where he taught school, and was elected sheriff of the county. He married a Mexican woman, by whom he raised a large family. In 1805, he came to MO. on a trading and prospecting tour, and in 1709, he moved his family here. When the Indian war began, he took his family back to KY., to get them out of danger. His son, Alexander remained, married NANCY BRYAN, who was only 16 years of age, and settled near Charrette creek, in (now) Warren Co. He was a surveyor and a fine business man, and
accumulated a fortune before his death. He also served in the state legislature during several sessions. His sister, Elizabeth, married JOHN KING, who settled near Marthasville. John McKinney traveled back and forth between KY and MO as long as he lived, trading in land and land warrants.
ref.: "Pioneer Families of Missouri"; Bryan & Rose, 1876