Malachi Wheatcraft, deceased, was born in Wayne County, Penn., September 8, 1807, and was the son of Joseph and Rachel (Brothers) Wheatcraft. His paternal grandparents were Edward and Rebecca (Taylor) Wheatcraft. His maternal grandparents were Thomas and Nancy (Dever) Brothers, natives of Baltimore County, Md. Joseph Wheatcraft emigrated with his family from Wayne County Penn., to Perry County, Ohio, in 1816, and there spent the rest of his life. On the 31st day of January, 1833, he was married in Licking County, Ohio, to Sophia M. Bradford. She was born in Lincoln County, Me., March 17, 1813, and is a descendant of ex-Governor William Bradford, of Massachusetts. Of her parents, Charles and Elizabeth Bradford, the former was born in Plymouth, Mass., September 14, 1777; about 1804, he was married to Elizabeth Brown. In an early day he immigrated to Licking County, Ohio. In November, 1834, he removed to Persifer Township, Knox County, Ills., where he spent the rest of his life. He died February 25, 1868, in the ninety-first year of his age. Malachi Wheatcraft and wife entered upon their married life upon a farm in Perry County, Ohio. In the fall of 1840, they removed to Knox County, Ills. In 1843, they came to the State of Indiana, and located on a farm near Bainbridge, Putnam County. In the year 1850, they removed from Putnam County to Johnson County, and settled on a farm in the northern part of Pleasant Township, where the father pursued the vocation of a farmer until his death on the 19th day of October, 1873. He was a member of the United Brethren Church, and in politics, he was a republican. His surviving widow still continues to occupy the old homestead. She is a member of the Presbyterian Church. The marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Wheatcraft resulted in the birth of ten children, as follows: The first was a son, who died unnamed; Elizabeth R., born April 2, 1836; Eliza J., May 17, 1839; Joseph B., November 1, 1842, deceased; Harriet H., February 24, 1845, deceased; Harvey H., December 8, 1847; Malachi, September 7, 1850, deceased; Mary L., October 24, 1852, deceased; the next, a son, who died unnamed, and William C., November 22, 1857.

Transcribed by Cheryl Zufall Parker

Banta, D. D. History of Johnson County, Indiana. Chicago, IL: Brant & Fuller, 1888, page 827.