McKinley, Michael L.

Michael L. McKinley Soundex Code M254

McKINLEY, Michael L. Judge -- 1871-1951

Judge McKinley Interred Friday

Judge Michael L. McKinley, 80, Superior Court Judge of Chicago and a former resident of this community, died at his apartment in Chicago last Tuesday, May 8, 1951, and funeral services were held Friday, May 11, 1951.

Judge McKinley, a veteran of 40 years on the bench, succumbed to a heart condition that had been troubling him since February. "Mike" McKinley was born on a farm south of Postville, Iowa in Post Township, Allamakee County, Iowa in 1871. He entered the University of Iowa College of Law in 1891 and was outstanding on the 1893-94 football teams, two of the earliest teams to represent the university.

Graduating with a law degree in 1895, he was admitted to the Illinois Bar in 1896. In 1903 he was elected to the Illinois House of Representatives, where he served two terms.

In 1908 he was named to the Chicago civil service and later he was chairman of the group's committee to draft a charter for the city of Chicago. He was elected a judge of the Cook County Superior Court in 1911 and reelected every six years since. He also served on the Chicago Criminal Court.

One of the Judge McKinley's lifelong projects was to assist worthy and needy athletes and students in attending his alma mater. He provided transportation and other expense money for students who otherwise would never have gone to school.

In 1947 Judge McKinley was one of 99 Iowa alumni honored at the university's centennial homecoming as especially distinguished in their respective fields.

The judge founded the Chicago Alumni club of Iowa, and was responsible for the creating of four four-year scholarships to the university.

Postville Herald newspaper clipping, hand dated 1951, from Dorothy Schave's obituary collection.

Submitter's note: Judge Michael McKinley is a brother to Dr. Archibald McKinley and thus a son of Mr. and Mrs. James McKinley. Also a cousin to Mrs. Bert Waters of Postille, Iowa.

Additional Obit, presumably from a Chicago paper:

McKinley Dies at 78; Judge for 40 Years - Judge Michael Louis McKinley, 78, who had been on the Cook County Superior Court bench continuously since 1911 died yesterday in his apartment at 5555 N. Sheridan Road. His death was caused by a heart ailment which had compelled him to relinquish his court duties two months ago. His judicial service was one of the longest and most distinguished in this country's history. He was known as a "lawyer's judge" because of his knowledge of law. He also was an efficient administrator during his terms as Chief Justice of both the Superior Court and Criminal Court. Early Term in Legislature - Judge McKinley was born in Post Township, Allamakee County, Iowa. Michael L. McKinley was educated at Decorah Institute and the University of Iowa College of Law and graduated in 1895. A member of the firm Burres + McKinley, he was admitted to practice in Illinois in 1906. From 1903 to 1907, he was a member of the Illinois General Assembly. Thereafter for four years he was a member of the Chicago Civil Service Commission. He was elected to the Superior Court in 1911 on the Democratic Party ticket and was re-elected in 1917, 1923, 1929, 1935 and 1941, receiving each time high recommendation from the Chicago Bar Association.

Record Draws Praise

He was chosen Chief Justice of Superior Court for six terms. While assigned to the Criminal Court, he was Chief Justice of that branch four times. At the close of one of these terms -in 1937- the State's Attorney's office complimented him on his record. Only ____ were pending when he left that post, with 2,705 disposed of in a year. Judge McKinley was a leader in endeavors to curb juvenile crime. He criticized the efforts of those he termed "sob sister social workers" to raise the juvenile delinquency age limit so defendants under 18 could not be prosecuted in juvenile court except for murder or rape. Enthusiastic Iowa Alumnus - In private life, Judge McKinley's enthusiasm centered on the University of Iowa College of Law and its football team of which he had been a member in 1893 and 1894. He frequently attended Iowa's football games at Iowa City, Iowa and elsewhere and was a leader in Iowa alumni activities in Chicago. Judge McKinley's sister Mary McKinley died two weeks ago in Chicago. Surviving are his widow Mercedes; a daughter; a son; and two grandsons. Mass will be said at 11:00 a.m. Friday in St. Ita's Church, 1220 W. Catalpa Avenue. Burial will be in All Saints Cemetery.