Portrait and biographical record of Christian County, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and   representative citizens, together with biographies of all the Governors of the state, and of the Presidents of the United States.  Chicago, Ill. : Lake City Pub. Co., 1893, p238.  Transcribed by Judy Rosella Edwards, 2007.

JEREMIAH MALIN, a well-known farmer of section 8, Greenwood Township, has engaged in cultivating the farm on which he makes his home for thirty years, and turned much of the soil upon the place himself. He has brought it from its original state to what it now is, a well-improved and fertile tract of land. He is a native of Ohio, born in Pickaway County June 4, 1836, his father, Jared Malin, being a native of Virginia, though his ancestors were early settlers of Pennsylvania. The father grew to manhood in Virginia and went to Pickaway County, Ohio, where he married Elizabeth McDonald, who was born and grew to womanhood in the Buckeye State, but whose parents were from Virginia. Mr. Malin improved a timbered farm, and in the fall of 1838 proceeded by team to Illinois with his wife and six children. He settled in Shelbyville, where he rented land for a year and then entered a tract in the neighborhood. He never lived upon this farm, however, but came to Christian County in 1840 and took up a claim, on which he settled the following year. This farm was just east of Pana, and there he passed his remaining days, dying in 1871. His good wife also passed away on the same farm, and both were buried near Pana. In their pioneer days they suffered many hardships, but accomplished a great deal, as, though coming here poor, they left a good property and plenty to their children. Mr. Malin was a Democrat all his life, was a just man, and one who attended strictly to his own affairs, He was an active and faithful member of the Oldschool Baptist Church.  Our subject is one in a family composed of the following children: Lucinda; Denton, who lives in Rosamond; William, who was a farmer and died near Pana; Thomas, deceased; Amy Ann, now Mrs. Cox, who resides near Pana; Elisha, whose death occurred in this county; Josiah, a farmer, who also makes his home in this county; Jared, a resident of Kansas; John, who lives near Pana; Ann E. and Sarah E., the latter of whom is deceased.  The boyhood days of Jeremiah Malin were passed in this neighborhood, and he has been a witness of most of the development of this county. In the early days the wolves often howled around the cabin and wild game was abundant. He saw the town of Pana grow from the start, and helped with an ox-team in grading the Illinois Central Railroad. His education was limited, as he could attend school only a few days at a time and would then be obliged to work for a number of days together on the farm. What education he obtained was during a six-months term of school held in a log house, which was used as a blacksmith shop. He remained at home until his majority, and learned to swing the scythe and cradle and hew out rails. When he embarked in business for himself he first worked for a year on a farm, and then rented land for one season. In the spring of 1860 our subject was married in this neighborhood to Mrs. Amanda C. Pierce, a native of Sangamon County. Her father was born in Tennessee, and was an early settler of Sangamon and Christian Counties. She died in the spring of 1870, leaving three sons, and also a daughter by a former marriage. Asa B. resides in Guthrie, Okla.; James F. is a farmer of Kansas; and Jared N. is engaged in farming in North Dakota. The daughter is Mrs. Mollie Wilkerson, of Kansas. The present wife of our subject, who was formerly Mrs. Miller, became Mrs. Malin on the 13th of December, 1874. Mr. Miller was killed while in the army. The maiden name of Mrs. Malin was Bremer, and her birth occurred in Tuscarawas County, Ohio. She grew to womanhood in Van Wert County, the same State, and after the war came with a sister to Illinois. Our subject and his wife have one daughter, Minnie B., who is an exceptionally intelligent young lady and is pursuing her studies in the public schools, where on nine of her studies she recently made an average of ninety-five and three-fourths. The first Presidential ballot cast by Mr. Malin was in favor of Douglas in 1860, and since that time he has been a leading Democrat in this region, having been a delegate and committeeman in the conventions of his party. He supports churches and is foremost in all public advancement. His farm is finely improved and comprises some eighty acres, which are under good cultivation. In this county, where he has spent nearly his entire life, he has won the respect and regard of all.

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