Ernest McKinney

Ernest Rice McKinney was born December 7, 1886, in Malden, West Virginia, the son of N.F. and Jennie McKinney. He had three sisters, Mary, Fannie and Louise. In 1900 the family was living in Washington D.C., where his father was employed as a Treasury clerk. In 1910 Ernest, his mother and sisters were living in Oberlin, Ohio, where he worked as a messenger boy in a boarding hall. He later stated he had completed four years of college.
In 1917 Ernest registered for the draft during WWI at Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He was described as single, “tall, slender build” and had “brown eyes, brown hair.” He was working as a secretary at the YMCA. In a later census Ernest identifies himself as a veteran of WWI.
On April 5, 1920, Ernest married Ella J. Kemp in Wellsburg, West Virginia. The couple had three children, Phyllis, Ernest and Mary. In 1930 they were living in Pittsburgh, where Ernest worked as an assistant secretary in social services.
From 1935 through at least 1942, Ernest, with his two children Phyllis and Ernest were living in New York City at 52 St. Nicholas Place in Harlem. Ernest was employed as a labor organizer.
Ernest Rice McKinney died January 30, 1984 at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Manhattan. He was buried on Hart Island.
Sources: U.S. Social Security Death Index; 1900, 1910, 1930 and 1940 U.S. Federal Censuses; West Virginia Marriages Index, 1785-1971; U.S. WWI Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918; U.S. WWII Draft Registration Cards, 1942.