John F. McKay

    John F. McKay, farmer, Smyrna Township, was born in the house in which he now resides, may 10, 1831. He was brought up on a farm, and attended the district schools of this county, and commenced a course of study at College Hill College, but was prevented from completing it by sickness. His  parents were George and Elizabeth (Francis) McKay.

    His father was a native of Barren County, Kentucky, and came to Indiana with his parents in 1816, and located at this place, where he continued to reside until his death in 1835. His mother was a native of Ohio; died may 12, 1849.

    His Grandfather Alexander McKay was a native of Scotland, and was married in Scotland, died in Jefferson County, Indiana, 1819. His Grandfather Francis came to the United States from Ireland, and settled first in Ohio; afterward came to Jefferson County, and settled two miles east of Dupont, about 1820, where he continued to reside until his death in 1838. He was a weaver by trade, and worked some at his trade in this country.

    Mr. McKay owns 165 acres of land, 40 timbered, one and one-half miles west of home place. He raises a number of cattle every year. Mr. McKay was never married. Mr. McKay is a man always ready to help in a good cause, and is well liked by all who know him. He has the esteem of his neighbors, and is shown by the fact that he was elected five years successively as constable from 1855 to 1859 inclusive; afterward, in 1870, he was elected for two years, but resigned before his term expired.

    He was appointed County Commissioner the last day of January, 1887, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Wm. L. Cosby; the term of office expires this month. Mr. McKay is one of our best citizens.

Source: Biographical and Historical Souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott and Washington, Indiana. By John M. Gresham & Co., 1889.