Born in Virginia, McKinley completed preparatory studies. He served as member of the
Virginia House of Delegates from
Ohio County, Virginia (now part of
West Virginia) from 1798 to 1804, 1806, and 1807. McKinley was elected as a
Democratic-Republican to the
Eleventh Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of
United States Representative John G. Jackson and served from December 21, 1810 to March 3, 1811. He later served again as member of the Virginia House of Delegates, 1820, 1821, and 1824–1826. ==Sources==