From the 1905 Michigan Manual, Page 762

WILLIAM MCKAY,

Representative from Tuscola county, was born in Ayrshire, Scotland, September 9, 1840, his education being acquired in the schools at Kilmarnock, Scotland. In April, 1854, he immigrated to the United States, coming direct to Almont, Lapeer county. January 1, 1863, on the day the emancipation proclamation of President Lincoln took effect, he was married to Mary A. Mackie at Romeo, Michigan. In 1876 he removed to Dayton township, Tuscola county, where he followed farming. He was elected supervisor in 1877 and held that office for six consecutive years. Was elected sheriff in 1882 and held that office for two terms. He is a Republican, and was elected to the house for the terms of 1889-90, and l899-l900, and reelected to the house of 1901-2. November 8,1904, Mr. McKay was again elected to the legislature by a vote of 4,722 to 1,818 for Lewis C. Merritt and 37 for Theodore W. Wisner.