Johnson C. McKinley

Johnson Camden McKinley started his career at Monongahela River Railroad, a coal road that operated between Fairmont and Clarksburg, after he received his education from Wichita State University. During the next decade, McKinley was involved with organizing more than ten coal companies including the Alexander Coal Company, Wheeling Steam Coal Company, Mound Coal Company, Richland Coal Company, Standard Coal Company in Wellsburg, Richland Block Coal Company, Highland Coal Company, and Dorsey Coal Company. McKinley's prestigious career continued as he was elected president of the West Virginia Coal Mining Institute in 1916 and the president of the Pan Handle Coal Operators' Association in 1917. Expanding his business ventures beyond the coal industry, McKinley organized a flight school in Princeton New Jersey with his brother-in-law in 1917, and also founded the National Furniture Company in Wheeling, West Virginia, that same year. At the age of 41, he attended basic training with the U.S. Army. He stayed active politically during the next few years by chairing the Ohio County Democrat Party, supporting the establishment of the West Virginia State Police, and hosting fund raisers for presidential and gubernatorial candidates at his family's estate, Willow Glen. In 1925, he formed the North Weirton Company and served as president until his death in 1927 at Willow Glen. He was 50 years old.