WILLIAM P. MALONE was born where the town of Percy now stands, in Randolph County, January 5, 1840, to Daniel and Mary G. (Brown) Malone. The latter were of Irish origin, but it is thought they were born in Tennessee. They emigrated to the Prairie State in an early day, settling first in Perry County, and later removing to Short Prairie, in Randolph County, where they were married.
Our subject is the youngest in order of birth in a family of four children. His early life was spent on the farm, and two years after the death of his father, in 1841, his mother removed to Mill Creek, where he attended school when old enough. February 9, 1860, our subject was married to Miss Sarah J., daughter of William and Sarah (Adkins) Duncan. Mrs. Malone's father was of Scotch origin, and came to this state from South Carolina, settling in Jackson County, where she was born. For two years succeeding his marriage Mr. Malone lived in Jackson County, where he cultivated a tract of one hundred and sixty acres of land in partnership with a man named Culpepper. The succeeding year we find him at Mill Creek, where he farmed a season with his brother-in-law. Thence he removed to Steeleville, where he conducted a grist and saw mill for three years, or until purchasing a farm near Mill Creek. There he continued to reside until 1874, at which time lie leased his farm and removed to Jackson County, where he remained four years. After the expiration of that time, Mr. Malone returned to his farm, living there until the fall of 1879, when he disposed of his landed interests in Randolph County and removed to the wild west, settling near Bloomington, Franklin County, Neb. After a two years' sojourn there, he had the misfortune to lose his wife, and he then returned to his native county, occupying the Richards farm, on section 8, township 8, range 5, and making this his home for the succeeding five years. Our subject again moved to the town of Mill Creek, but after a period of two years located on the farm on which he now resides, on section 6, township 8, range 5.
Our subject was a second time married, taking as his wife Mrs. Viana Roberts, September 20, 1883. Mrs. Malone is a daughter of John and Jane (Burns) Dean, and was born December 6, 1844, in Randolph County. Of her first marriage nine children were born, as follows: Samuel C., Sarah S., Mary I., Daniel P., Ezekiel J., William H., Eliza E., Carrie B. and Jane. Two children have come to bless the second union: Murray, who is nine years of age, and Harry, aged seven years.
Since his return from Nebraska, Mr. Malone has spent a part of his time working at the carpenter's trade, in which he is quite skilled. On attaining his majority, he cast his vote with the Republican party, and has ever since stanchly sup- ported its principles. He became a member of the Christian Church in 1872, and is one of its valued members, while his wife is a member of the Free Will Baptist denomination at Pleasant Ridge. The former Mrs. Malone was, like her husband, a devoted member of the Christian Church. Our subject has been School Director nearly all his life, but not being an office seeker, has refused to enter politics for anything within the gift of the people, nor has he affiliated with any secret societies. Twice he volunteered lo enter the service of his country during the late Rebellion. The first time he remained at home because his elder brother went to war, leaving no one but himself to carry on the affairs at home, and the second time because the ranks were full and no more could be accepted.
Extracted from Portrait and Biographical Record of Randolph, Jackson, Perry and Monroe Counties, Illinois, published in 1894, page 420.