Biography - MICAJAH C. MALONE

Among the representative, well-to-do citizens of Macoupin County, the subject of this notice occupies a prominent position as an esteemed and worthy member of the community, toward the establishing and maintaining of which he has performed his part. He is skilled as a blacksmith and is the inventor of various patents. He was born in Marion County, Kentucky, in 1830, and is a son of Micajah and Susan (Batsell) Malone, and the grandson of John Malone, a native of Virginia, who moved to Kentucky where he passed the remaining days of his life.

Micajah Malone was a native of Kentucky and spent almost his entire life in that State. He died in 1847.

Micajah C. Malone received his education in Kentucky, and after completing his education set himself to learn the blacksmith's trade and soon became a skilled hand. In 1857, having thoroughly learned his trade, he came to Illinois, locating in Palmyra, where he established a smithy and engaged in business. Mr. Malone in 1870 invented a pruning knife, which is now in universal use, being known as "Malone's Pruning Shears." He also invented various other articles, among the most important being a shears for cutting iron, which is also in general use. He is a Democrat in politics. Fraternally he is a member of the Masons. In 1892 Mr. Malone took his son Thomas M. into the business as a partner and the business has since been conducted under the firm name of Malone & Son.

Mr. Malone was first married in Kentucky to Mary Jane Wilson, who died there, leaving no children. In 1859, he was married to Susan C. Ross, a daughter of Robert and Mary Ann (Hunt) Ross. Mr. Ross was a prominent farmer of South Palmyra township. He and his wife were the parents of four children, of whom our subject's wife was the third child. Mr. Ross died in 1870, at the age of 59 years, his wife having died in 1861 while in her 58th year. Eight children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Malone, namely: Mary Susan, who died in infancy; Lillie Bell, born February 5, 1862, who married J. D. Nighbert, a veterinary surgeon of Pittsfield, Illinois, and has two children — Maynard and Vida V.; Ida L., born in December, 1863, who married Henry Nifong, a prominent farmer of North Palmyra township, Macoupin County, and has three children — Otho, Guy and Ruby; Hattie A., born in November, 1865, who married Lafayette Solomon, who is justice of the peace at Palmyra, Illinois; Thomas M., born in November, 1867, who is a blacksmith working with his father as a member of the firm of Malone & Son — ^he married Millie J. Hartsook, a native of Palmyra, and has reared three children, Iva Jennett, Gerald Dale and Geraldine; Jennett P., born in March, 1870, and deceased in December, 1890; Alberta Pearl, born in December, 1876, and now the wife of George H. Davenport, a farmer of South Palmyra township, Macoupin County; and Charles H., born in May, 1880, who is at work on the home farm with his father.

Extracted 2018 May 08 by Norma Hass from Biographical Sketches of Leading Citizens of Macoupin County, Illinois, published in 1904, pages 371-372.