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I found a biography of John McKinley that fits the info you gave me. I've copied it below. My husband's family has the tradition that they are related to President McKinley, but I haven't been able to verify that!
John McKinley
At a very early period in its history John McKinley came to Bond County, illinois from his native state of Ohio, and while Woodland Township, Fulton County, still bore traces of recent Indian occupation, located on the farm now owned and operated by his grandson, Joseph McKinley. Thus he became the founder of the McKinley family in Central Illinois, and various of its members have steadily contributed to the prosperity and good name of that section by their industrious, well-ordered and creditable careers. With the exception of 5 years spent in Mason County, this state, Mr. McKinley continued to live in Woodland Township until his death in 1886. When he arrived in what is now Astoria he passed the first night under a spreading elm tree, which probably still does duty in the park, and soon afterward took up 230 acres of land, which he cleared and improved into a beautiful and valuable property.
In the paternal family were 5 children, of whom but 1 survives - Julia, wife of Samuel Byers, of Astoria. A sister, Melvina, married a Mr. Litchfield; Mary J was the wife of a Mr Fosett and reared quite a family; Alec died on a farm near Astoria; Calvin, in 1847, married Mahala Kerran, daughter of Benjamin Kerran, an early settler of Illinois.
John McKinley was a quiet unobtrusive man and a very devout member of the United Brethren Church. It was largely through his zeal and labor that the church of that denomination in his neighborhood was built and sustained. He was the friend of education and for many years was a member of the school board. Altogether his life was a credit to the towndhip and an inspiration to the coming generations of yound men.
Source : Pages 987-988 Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County. Chicago: Munsell Pub. Co.,
1908, c1905
Joseph McKinley
Representing the 3rd generation from John McKinley, who came from Ohio, and at an early day settled in Bond County, Illinois, and afterward in Fulton County, the present Joseph McKinley was born on the farm he now owns and occupies on Sec. 34, Woodland Township, 4/15/1863. He is a son of Calvin McKinley.
Joseph remained at home until his marriage, 4/17/1893, to Magethe Prather, a native daughter of Woodland Township, and after the death of his father he purchased the old homestead of 130 acres, which he proceeded to improve. His present beautiful surroundings are largely of his own making, for he has planted and fostered an abundance of shade and fruit trees, shrubs and flowers, and has installed facilities for general farming and stock-raising operations on a large scale. He is especially interested in high-grade stock, including horses, cattle and hogs, and conducts his farm upon scientific and modern principles, maintaining neatness, order and a general atmosphere of thrift.
Mr and Mrs McKinley are the parents of 2 children, of whom Aubrey was born 4/10/1899, and Clarence W 6/14/1903. Mr McKinley finds time to cultivate the social quality and is identified with the Modern Woodmen of America of Astoria. In politics he is a Democrat, but aside from the formality of casting his vote upon well-considered public questions, is not active in political matters. He is one of the open-minded and well-posted men of his township, an advocate of progress and enlightenment and a staunch supporter of honest business and clean social life.
Source: Historical encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County. Chicago: Munsell Pub. Co., 1908,
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