William S. McKinnon


William Stranchon McKinnon was a Republican politician in the U.S. state of Ohio who was Speaker of the Ohio House and Ohio State Treasurer from 1904 to 1908.

Biography

William S. McKinnon was born at Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada. He was moved to Cleveland, where he grew up, and became a machinist.
McKinnon relocated to Ashtabula, where he owned machine shops, was a member of the Board of Education and city council, and was Mayor of Ashtabula. He married Octavia J. Porter April 2, 1878, and had four sons and one daughter. In 1880, he was founder and head of the McKinnon Iron Works Company at Ashtabula Harbor.
McKinnon was elected to the Ohio House of Representatives in 1897, and served in the 73rd, 74th, and 75th General Assemblies, 1898–1903. In the 75th General Assembly, he was chosen Speaker of the House.
In May, 1900, McKinnon was appointed an Ohio Commissioner of the Pan-American Exposition
In 1903, the Republicans nominated McKinnon for Ohio State Treasurer, and he won election that year, and again in 1905. Elections were moved to even numbered years, and McKinnon chose not to run in 1908. His term would have ended January 1909, but he died at his Ashtabula home on November 17, 1908.