Oliver Perry McKinney (1876 - 1957)

Born 4 Dec 1876 in Kenneth, Johnson County, Kansas

Ancestors

Husband of Mayme Gill (Garten) McKinney — married 22 Apr 1900 in New Santa Fe, Jackson County, Missouri

Descendants

Died 4 Apr 1957 at age 80 in Kansas City, Jackson County, Missouri

Problems/Questions Profile manager: Carol Woodcox [send private message]

Biography

Oliver Perry McKinney was born on December 4, 1876 in Kenneth, Johnson County, Kansas, USA. His parents were William Albertus McKinney and Eliza Jane Rippeto. He went by the name OP or Perry, the latter being the preferred name.

Perry married Mayme Gill Garten on April 22, 1900 in New Santa Fe, Jackson County, Missouri, USA. Perry and Mayme made their home just across the Kansas Missouri border in Kenneth, Johnson County, Kansas. They were the parents of 5 children, listed in birth order; William Albertus "Bill", John Kenneth "Jack", Amanda, Susan and Verna. Perry was a farmer and also a horse trainer and trader.

In the early nineteen teens, on a wintry morning, Jack lit the morning fire in the stove to warm the house. There was a crack in the flue and the house caught fire, ultimately burning to the ground. The family was able to save some of their belongings before the entire house had burned. From that time on, Jack was teased about burning down the house.

In the Depression of the 1930's, Perry and Mayme lost the farm. They later moved into a house on 120th and State Line in Santa Fe, Jackson County, Missouri. They were across the street from the New Santa Fe Cemetery which was just west of the Santa Fe Christian Church.

A lifetime childhood friend was Harry Truman. Following his presidency, he wrote a book titled Year of Decisions. Jack purchased a copy of the special Kansas City edition and Bill took it over to the Truman residence for Harry to sign it. The inscribed book was given to Perry for his birthday in 1956.

Perry had been having some cardiac issues and spent the last year or so of his life mostly in bed.

Perry was an avid baseball fan and on April 4, 1957, he listened to the Kansas City Athletics baseball game on the radio. When the game was over, he told Mayme he was going to take a nap. When she went in to check on him, he had passed away.

His funeral service was held on April 7, 1957 at the Santa Fe Christian Church and he was buried in the New Santa Fe Cemetery.

Sources

• <1880 US Census>
• <1900 US Census>
• <1910 US Census>
• <1920 US Census>
• <1930 US Census>
• <1940 US Census >
• <Kansas State Census Collection, 1855-1925>
• <Missouri, Marriage Records, 1805-2002>
• U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918>
• <Web: Missouri, Find A Grave Index, 1812-2012>