William Robertson McKenney

Born in Petersburg, Virginia, Mckenney attended McCabe's University School at Petersburg and the University of Virginia at Charlottesville. He taught school. He graduated from the law school of the University of Virginia in June 1876. He was admitted to the bar and practiced in Petersburg, Virginia.

McKenney was elected president of the city council of Petersburg in 1888 and served six years. He served as delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 1892. He served as member of the Democratic State executive committee, and presented credentials as a Democratic Member-elect to the Fifty-fourth Congress and served from March 4, 1895, to May 2, 1896, when he was succeeded by Robert T. Thorp, who successfully contested his election. He resumed the practice of law in Petersburg, Virginia, and died there January 3, 1916. He was interred in Blandford Cemetery.

• 1894; McKenney was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives with 48.05% of the vote, defeating Republican Robert Taylor Thorp, Independents J. Haskins Hobson and Lee Thornton, and Populist B.R. Horner; however, Thorp successfully contested the results and was seated.

• United States Congress. "William Robertson McKenney (id: M000502)". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.

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