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Claude Chadwick Payne

Male 1908 - 1955  (47 years)


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Generation: 1

  1. 1.  Claude Chadwick Payne was born on 18 Feb 1908 in Stephens County, Oklahoma (son of Marvin Walter Payne and Grace Ellen Gentry); died on 3 Dec 1955 in Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma; was buried in Fort Sill, Comanche County, Oklahoma.

    Notes:

    He was born near the County Line of Stephens and Carter counties, Oklahoma.

    An infancy photograph taken at Cobb's Studio in Quanah, Texas, circa 1910 which suggests that Chad, as he was known, was born there? however the 1920 census gives Oklahoma as place of birth. Photograph is in the possession of Lewis Adair Payne (1997).

    He was named Claude after his father, Marvin's, great life-long friend Claude Holcombe, who lived in Quanah, TX.

    He is not in the Payne/Gentry family reunion photograph of 1927, when he would have been nineteen, because ... could he have already joined the army?

    Military Discharge recorded in Stephens County Courthouse Book 22, page 287. Not viewed.

    His marriage probably occured before July 21st. 1936 as entered above as his younger brother, Lewis Adair Payne, "lunched at Chad's and Lois's [while in Duncan]. Place certainly run down, don't believe I could live there any more."4 on that date.

    Worked for OTASCO in Guthrie c. 1939. 5

    1955 ? "M-Sgt. C.C. Payne
    Full military funeral services for M-Sgt. Chadwick C. Payne, 47, of 1907 Ash, will be held at 10:30 Tuesday in the new Post Chapel at Fort Sill with Chaplain (1st Lt.) Charlie W. Hargrave and Rev. Russell T. Rauscher, rector of St. Andrew's Episcopal church, officiating. Burial will be in Fort Sill cemetery with Becker Funeral home in charge. Sgt. Payne, a captain in the reserve, died at 3 p.m. Saturday at the family home apparently of a heart attack. He had just been released from the hospital on a 24 hour pass at the time of his death."6

    1998 ? Lewis Adair Payne, 84, ... ... ... died died Tuesday, 18 Aug. 1998, at Stillwater Medical Center [OK] .... ... ... He was predeceased by two brothers, Claude Chadwick Payne and Marvin Walter Payne and one sister Mary Olive Thompson. Survivors include his wife of fifty-five years, Lunora; two daughters; Robin White of Joplin, Mo and Penny Harvey of Glencoe, OK; and his two grand-sons Bracken White of San Francisco, Ca and Gentry White of Columbia, Mo and grand-daughter Anne Marie Busse of Joplin, Mo. ... ... ...7

    Claude married Lois Macel Reed on 24 Dec 1935 in Comanche County, Oklahoma. Lois was born on 30 Jan 1917 in Gage, Ellis County, Oklahoma; died on 17 Oct 2004 in Jefferson City, Cole County, Missouri. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. Maj. Claude Chadwick Payne, Jr. was born on 14 Feb 1937 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; died on 9 Feb 2008 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Fort Sill Post Cemetery, Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma.
    2. Living

Generation: 2

  1. 2.  Marvin Walter Payne was born on 17 Jan 1881 in Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas (son of Samuel Marshall Payne and Olivia McClanahan); died on 4 Jan 1948 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma.

    Notes:

    Kenneth Harvey wrote the following brief biography of Marvin Walter Payne: Marvin was named after the Methodist Bishop Marvin whom his mother particularly respected.

    Marvin was about twelve years old when his photograph was taken in a family group with his parents. This photograph survives and is in the collection of Lewis Adair Payne (1997).

    As a teenager he was out on the trail cattle herding with his father when he became very ill. Totally incapacitated he was left to lie in agony on the bedrolls in the accompanying chuck wagon. They were miles from anywhere. He later believed that the severe bouncing and bucking of the wagon as it slowly and labourously moved across the untamed countryside saved his life. Much later on it was proved that he had in fact survived a burst appendix; not a very common occurance. Most die from it. He was to say in later years that "I left my appendix on the Western Trail and the cattle walked over it."

    He worked as a cowboy and attended high school part-time until he was twenty.

    There is another photograph, this time of his high school graduation in from Quanah High School in May 1901. This shows him holding his sheepskin diploma-no "mere paper" at that time! The photograph shows five girls dressed like bridesmaids and one boy with a flower in his button hole, all students surrounding a man who is presumably the school principal. Marvin, the solitary boy (young adult), is at the rear (apparently education was not a very macho activity among the youth of the town). His younger sister Effie stands to his immediate right. Marvin read an essay to the assembled parents on "Closing Events of the Nineteenth Century." His sister Effie read an essay on "Duty." One of the other girls present was a Payne double first cousin, Lula Pearl McClanahan (daughter of Fred Lafayette McClanahan and Calla Payne). She read an essay on "Courage." Other graduating students were Bettie Carter, Cora B. Matlock, and a Miss Johnson. A long term correspondence with Miss Gabie E. Betts, later Burton (1871-?) begins after Marvin graduates from Quanah High School. Miss Gabie, as she refers to herself, used to live in Quanah where she taught in the elementary School. She was known as one of the best primary school teachers in the Panhandle. She later moved to teach at Clarendon College. She addresses Marvin in very affectionate terms--indeed as her son. The letters were saved by Grace after Marvin's death, and passed down to Mary Ann Mounts Payne.

    Marvin graduated in 1903 from the Metropolitan Business School.

    Marvin married Grace Gentry in 1907 and the young couple lived with her parents for some years in Oklahoma until they moved back to Quanah, Texas. He then worked there in a lumber company from about 1912.

    On his father's death in 1916 the family farm was mortgaged and the family divided the proceeds. Marvin fell heir to the mortgage and immediately rented it out to help pay off the mortgage . He now worked as a book-keeper for a wholesale company in Chickasha, circa. 1920, and then moved back to Duncan where he was involved in a restaurant. He didn't stay long at that and he was to become the manager of the Chickasha Cotton Oil Mill in 1921. He then lost this job when the mill was sold during the depression. The family returned to live on the farm, four miles S.W. of Marlow, on Hell Creek. Unfortunately times were very difficult and he could not keep up the payments. The family property was repossessed by the mortgage company. The local official delivering the eviction notice, in about 1937, was a friend and he was to say "Marvin I hate to do this to you." The poor man's only response was "You have to, its your job." Marvin put the papers on the kitchen table in the house and never looked at them. The whole tragic experience hit him very hard indeed and really robbed him of all subsequent motivation. They now put the family furniture in storage but could not even keep up these payments; consequently it too was all lost. To add insult to injury, some years later oil was discovered ont he farm and today (1997) there is a sign which says; "Chevron USA Inc, W.M. Payne Lease Sec 35-2N-8W."

    Grace's mother was unable to keep up payment on her own home mortgage, and sold the residence to her daughter and Marvin for a dollar. The families moved in with Mary on Spruce road. It was not long, however, before Marvin was unable to keep up those payments, and that house was lost as well. It was a bitter time. At some point the family returned to the old Marlow farmstead which they had been forced to leave, paying rent to live there. Marvin eventually went to work with a cattle auction company.

    According to Fay Payne Yeager, Thomas R. Marshall (Vice President of the United States) was a cousin of Martha Jane Marshall Payne. He stayed in the home of Marvin and Grace (Gentry) Payne while on a speaking tour of Oklahoma. He said he remembered attending family reunions with Martha when he was younger.

    M. W. Payne, Long Resident Here Dies

    Duncan Banner Monday Jan. 5, 1947 Pg. 1 Transcribed by C. R. Strong 11-29-2003

    Marvin Walter Payne, 1106 Oak, died at 10 o'clock Sunday night in a local hospital after a lengthy illness. He was a retired accountant.
    The funeral service will be held at the Beeson Grantham Funeral Home chapel at 3:30 p. m. Tuesday, with the Rev. John A Callan (sic), pastor of the First Methodist Church, and the Rev. Thurmond George, pastor of the First Baptist Church, officiating.
    Born in Gainesville, Tex., Pay ne came to Duncan in 1904 and had been a resident here for more than 40 years.
    Surviving are the widow; three sons, Chad In Berlin, Germany, Lewis Adair of Stillwater, and Marvin W. jr., Duncan; one daughter, Mrs. Bob Thompson, Pampa, Tex;, one brother, Aubry (sic) H., Muleshoe, Tex; and five grandchildren.
    Pallbearers are Rich Edwards, Bill Boydston, J. B. McLendon, Leroy Tucker, Oscar Young, J. D. Walker, Leonard Bumpas, and H. C. Allen.

    Marvin Payne is Buried in Marlow From an unidentified Duncan, OK newspaper, dated 1948

    Death took a longtime resident of Stephens County this week after he had been ill for many years. Marvin Walter Payne died in a Duncan Hospital Sunday night. He had lived in Duncan and vicinity most of the time since 1904 and will be remembered as the manager of the Duncan Cotton Oil Mill, a position which he held for many years. Payne was born in Gainsville, Texas. When he was a child, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Payne, moved to Quannah, Texas, where they owned one of the big ranches in that part of the country. Payne was reared and educated in Quannah. He came to Duncan as a young man. He married Grace Ellen Gentry of Arthur in 1907.

    He was in Chickasha for many years where he was connected with the Chickasha Cotton Oil Mill. In the early thirties he became ill and moved back to the old homeplace northwest of Duncan. He is survived by his widow and his four children, Chad who is now stationed with the Army in Berlin, Germany; Lewis Adair, Stillwater; Marvin W. Jr., Duncan, and Mrs Bob Thompson, Pampa, Texas. Funeral Services were held at the Beeson-Grantham Funeral chapel on Tuesday afternoon with the Rev. John A Callan of the First Methodist Church and the Rev. Thurmond George of the First Baptist Church officiating. He was buried in the Marlow Cemetery.

    NOTE No Headstone in Marlow Cemetery, but known to be in Sect 10 Blk 10 (Lot 5?), Believed to be b.1-17-1881 d. 1-4-1948

    (Research):World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918
    Name: Marvin Walter Payne
    City: Chickasha
    County: Grady
    State: Oklahoma
    Birth Date: 17 Jan 1881
    Race: White
    Roll: 1851777
    DraftBoard: 1
    Age: 37
    Occupation: Book keeper
    Employer: J.D. Turner & Co., Chickasha, Grady Co. OK
    Nearest relative: Grace Payne, Chickasha, Grady Co. OK
    Height/Build: ------
    Color of Eyes/Hair: Brown/Brown

    Census Information:

    1930 census Stephens Co. OK King Twp., ED 69-7
    Sheet 13B 511 So. 8th (?)
    217/233
    Payne, Marvin W., MW 49 M 26 TX MO MO
    Payne, Grace, wife FW 41 M 18 TX TN WV
    Payne, Chadwick, son MW 22 S OK TX TX
    Payne, Mary, dau. FW 17 S OK TX TX
    Payne, Lewis, son MW 16 OK TX TX
    Payne, Marvin, Jr., son MW 4 9/12 S OK TX TX

    They owned their home, with a value of $2000, and owned a radio as well.

    (Courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

    Marvin married Grace Ellen Gentry on 22 Jan 1907 in Stephens County, Oklahoma. Grace (daughter of William Miller Gentry and Mary "Molly" Evelyn Mounts) was born on 3 Nov 1888 in Decatur, Wise County, Texas; died on 16 Dec 1966 in Stillwater, Payne County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 3.  Grace Ellen Gentry was born on 3 Nov 1888 in Decatur, Wise County, Texas (daughter of William Miller Gentry and Mary "Molly" Evelyn Mounts); died on 16 Dec 1966 in Stillwater, Payne County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.

    Notes:

    Possibly lived in Paris, Lamar Co., Texas at some point. This town was sometimes referred to by Grace Ellen Gentry.

    Died at 2010 Admiral Road, Stillwater, OK.

    She had a strong dislike of all things Texan.

    Photograph at 140 lbs (usually 125lbs) Norvelle Studio, Chickasha, Oklahoma, circa 1923. She disliked the picture as a result.

    1927-She was instrumental in organizing the Payne/Gentry family reunion in 1927. The event took place at the home of Annie O'Neill's home in Duncan.

    1934-On the sixth of April 1934, Mary E. Gentry, widow, sells to Grace Payne (her daughter) for one dollar and love and affection the west half of lot six (6) in block sixty-seven (67) together with all improvements thereon, in the City of Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. Grace and Marvin had just lost their farm being unable to pay the mortgage. Molly continued to live for another six years but this house on 8th and Spruce Street was also lost for the same reasons. Molly continued to live with her daughter and her family until she died.

    1948-Grace Payne (nee Gentry) notified "To Whom it May Concern" on the 21st of June that she, E.J. Gentry, J.W. Gentry, Pearl Hall, E.H. Gentry, Carl H. Payne, J.E. Payne, Vera Young, Virginia Hardin, Louise Birnie, Mary Ethel Jones and Jeanne Turner, all heirs of W.M. Gentry, claimed to own the mineral rights of their father's old property and intended to have the matter determined by the Court. [Payne, Grace Ellen (1948) Affidavit giving legal notice of intention to file suit in District Court of Stephens County, Oklahoma, Ref: Book 414, page 344] It is not clear who this claim was directed at. Frank and Emory had continued the farn between them. Frank had died in 1928, and John Vernon Gentry continues the connection with his grandfather's land to this day (1997).

    Grace Gentry was a member of the United Daughters of the Confederacy (UDC). She claimed membership under her grandfather, W.J. Gentry. It was actually her grandfather John Melton Gentry, whose name Grace confused, who served in the Confederate Army. Grace was determined to get into the UDC and it was known she was not going to let anything, such as her other grandfather William J. Mounts' service in the Union Army, to get in her way. An incomplete draft of her application, remaining in the family, lists her parents as William Melton (sic) Gentry (born 1851 TN, died Sept. 1829 Duncan, OK) and his wife as Mary Evelyn Mounts (born Aug 1857, Died Aug 10, 1940 Duncan, OK). She went on to list her grandfather as William John Gentry (of Darnells, TX born in TN) and his wife as Pamela Harpoole (also born in TN).

    Children:
    1. 1. Claude Chadwick Payne was born on 18 Feb 1908 in Stephens County, Oklahoma; died on 3 Dec 1955 in Lawton, Comanche County, Oklahoma; was buried in Fort Sill, Comanche County, Oklahoma.
    2. Mary Olive Payne was born on 19 Sep 1912 in Marlow, Indian Territory; died on 1 May 1992 in Longview, Gregg County, Texas; was buried on 4 May 1992 in Fairview Cemetery, Pampa, Gray County, Texas.
    3. Lewis Adair Payne was born on 15 Mar 1914 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; died on 18 Aug 1998 in Stillwater, Payne County, Oklahoma.
    4. Robert Anthony Payne was born about 1922 in Oklahoma; died about 1922 in Oklahoma.
    5. Marvin Walter "Snort" Payne, Jr. was born on 13 Jun 1925 in Chickasha, Grady County, Oklahoma; died on 23 Jul 1979 in Anadarko, Caddo County, Oklahoma; was buried on 25 Jul 1979 in Fort Cobb, Caddo County, Oklahoma.


Generation: 3

  1. 4.  Samuel Marshall PayneSamuel Marshall Payne was born on 11 Mar 1849 in Hannibal, Marion County, Missouri (son of Thomas Hamilton Payne and Martha Jane Marshall); died on 20 Jun 1916 in Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried on 21 Jun 1916 in Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma.

    Notes:

    His obituary, as it appeared in the Marlow Review, Thursday, June 22, 1916.

    Obituary of Samuel M. Payne

    Born March 11, 1849 in Marion County, MO. Was married to Miss Olive McClanahan in August, 1873. To this union was born six children, two of whom are dead. His wife died five years ago. About six months ago he was united in marriage to Mrs. Hollingsworth of Duncan, Oklahoma. At this time he is survived by three sons, Marvin Payne of Chickasha, Frank Payne of Wichita Falls, Texas, and Aubrey Payne, Davidson, Okla., and one daughter, Mrs. H.P Haycraft of this city.

    Mr. Payne was not a member of any church or lodge but he was a good man in every respect. He believed in good morals. He strictly believed in the "Golden Rule" "Do unto others as you would be done by." He believed in a supreme being and a higher power and universal salvation. He was a most devoted husband and father.

    He was just a human being subject to the frailities of the flesh. If he made any mistakes we have forgotten them and if he has any accounting to make for the life he lived, he will make it to the Judge of all the earth who doeth all things well and will judge with justice and mercy.

    (Courtesy of Lynell Gentry Cordell)

    In a biography of his brother-in-law, John O'Neill, he was referenced as "Samuel, who lives on a farm near Marlow, Oklahoma."


    The following biography of Samuel Marshall Payne was written by Ken Harvey:

    Migrated to Texas on Texan Road (Hwy 69) with his parents and all his brothers and sisters after the Civil War, in abt. 1878. He would have been twenty-nine years old. Initially they all lived in a dugout.

    See "Down the Texas Road" by Grant Foreman (1936) HISTORIC TRACES ALONG HIGHWAY 69 THROUGH OKLAHOMA Univ. of Oklahoma, Norman Press for general reference

    In appearance he had a red beard and was of slender build. He had a weakness for fast horses which was perhaps encouraged by his contact with the Commanches out west. After all he needed speed to get away from them. He used to stride about the racecourse with tears in his eyes, such was his involvement in racing. He was quite an emotional man.

    He cowboyed for many years in Texas and never considered that he worked for anyone in his life. It was a hard life. He and Ollie once found a man who had been skinned alive by the Indians while going somewhere with a wagon. He never knew if the victim was a whiteman or an Indian. They took him into town but he was dead on arrival.

    On one occasion he found it necessary to hide in a plum thicket from Indians he had inadvertently come across. He stood there holding his horses nose to stop it whinnying. He was very fortunate with the wind direction as the scent of his mount was not carried to the Indian horses. The Indians would either have been in the area horse stealing or on the war path. It didn't really matter as the result for Samuel, if discovered, would probably have been the same.

    1880 - His younger sister, L[ouise] C. Payne (b. 1863), stayed with his young family in Cooke County, Texas. She was "teaching school" at the time in 1880 according to the census.

    1893 - While in living in Texas, Sam came to Oklahoma for the Land Run. He arrived for the opening of the Cherokee Strip in 1893. He came prepared with a wagon and team in order to ride with a lightweight racing saddle on his accompanying thoroughbred horse. He wore light boots and a cap with the bill turned backwards. He said he didn't want to look like a cowboy-he just wanted maximum speed. He found the land he wanted as he knew the area well from his droving days. He immediately placed his claim. After he got to the land office he sold the 160 acres he was now entitled to. The claim, which never had his name registered, was located near Enid and he was to say he made more money in that single transaction than he could have done in one whole year of being a cowboy.

    In 1893 a Payne family group studio photograph was taken, probably in Quanah. It shows left to right; Samuel Marshall Payne (44) seated, Effie Mae (10) standing, C. Frank (18) seated, Aubrey Hamilton (16) standing rear, Samuel E. (14) standing forground, Marvin Walter (12) standing rear and Olivia McClanahan Payne (49) seated. Sam never grew any more. Lewis Payne has a copy of this photograph and the original is thought to have been with his sister Mary Olive and hence passed on to Dorothy Thompson. Another original is the property of Mary Ann Mounts Payne.

    1895-He was the original entryman to 160 acres in Stephens County; the North-East quarter of section thirty-five in township two, [north of] range eight, west [of the Indian Meridian]. It is located about four miles outside Marlow. Sam and his family settled there, beside Hell Creek.

    1900-The census shows the Sam Payne family living in Hardeman County, Texas.

    1901-Samuel was described by his brother Walter W. Payne as the original entryman to 160 acres in Stephens County, Oklahoma. This land being the north-east quarter of Section thirty-five, township tow [Rock Creek, north of] Range eight (8) west [of the Indian Meridian. This farm was located about four miles outside Marlow]. This grant of land "was established and duly consumated" to Samuel M. Payne on 17 March 1920 by the signature of President Woodrow Wilson in line with the act to secure homesteads on the public domain.

    1910 - Later Samuel purchased a farm about four miles outside Marlow, OK and in 1910 he was listed as living there in Rock Creek Township with his wife Ollie, his married son Marvin, his wife Grace and their child, his grandson, Chadwick. There were also two hired men and a cousin?, Lizzie Pictria (19), in the household. Ollie died in April of 1910 and Samuel became a widower.

    1914-A sepia toned photograph is taken of Samuel in front of his house. The photograph includes (l to r) his son Marvin, Samuel, daughter Effie and her husband Hugh S. Haycraft.

    In an Affidavit of Heirship of Samuel M. Payne who died intestate, Walter W. Payne stated that "...sometime during the year of 1915 he [Samue M. Payne] again married one Leona Hollingsworth." The couple are later listed as possessing one brown mare name Dolly, one sorrel mare names Bell and one whitefaced cow named Mott and her calf. "To this union no children were born and it is my understanding that she [Leona Hollingsworth] has given a deed of conveyance to any interest that she might have had in the estate of my deceased brother."

    1916-Joe Payne of Knoxville records that Samuel died and was buried in Quanah, Texas. This is incorrect. Records from the Marlow Funeral Home instead indicate that he died at his residence in Marlow. His funeral was paid for by his son, Marvin Payne, a few months after the funeral.

    He was buried in the Marlow Cemetery, Section 10, Block 10, Plot 5.

    (Research):
    Census Listing:

    1880 Federal Census

    RelationSexMarrRaceAgeBirthplace
    Sam M. PAYNE Self M M W 30 MISSOURI Occ: Farming Fa: KY Mo: KY
    Ottie PAYNE Wife F M W 34 MISSOURI Occ: Keeping House Fa: TENN Mo: ---
    C. Frank PAYNE Son M S W 5 MO Fa: MO Mo: MO
    Aubrey H. PAYNE Son M S W 3 MO Fa: MO Mo: MO
    Samuel E. PAYNE Son M S W 1 TEXAS Fa: MO Mo: MO
    L.C. PAYNE Sister F S W 19 MO Occ: Teaching School Fa: KY Mo: KY

    Census Place:E.D. 115, Cooke, Texas
    Source:FHL Film 1255298 National Archives Film T9-1298 Page 30

    Samuel married Olivia McClanahan on 20 Aug 1873 in Schuyler County, Missouri. Olivia (daughter of Enoch Cox McClanahan and Andromache "America" "Mackey" Mills) was born about 1844 in Schuyler County, Missouri; died on 1 Apr 1910 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 5.  Olivia McClanahanOlivia McClanahan was born about 1844 in Schuyler County, Missouri (daughter of Enoch Cox McClanahan and Andromache "America" "Mackey" Mills); died on 1 Apr 1910 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.

    Notes:

    Ken Harvey writes "She was known as Ollie and is remembered as having had violet coloured eyes. In the census of 1880 she gave her age as 34. This would result in her year of birth being 1846. A possible son, Billie Payne believed to have been born abt. 1891, was also listed. This is thought to be an error. Grace Payne, also listed here as a child, is almost certainly Marvin Walter Payne's wife, Grace Ellen Gentry.

    Ollie used to teasingly say, when the atheletic Sam went off to distant parts cowboying for a month or so, that she was going into town "to get herself a fatman." Presumably his weight would keep him in one place. Young Effie would always reply "Yes, and I will damm him to.""

    Lynell Cordell found this brief mention of her final illness in the Duncan Eagle, dated Thursday, Jan. 13, 1910:

    "We regret very much to learn that Mrs. S.M. Payne, who lives in the Wood Reserve, received a severe stroke of paralysis on last Tuesday, and since that time has been dangerously ill."

    Lynell was not, however, able to locate an obituary.

    Notes:

    Married:
    !MARRIAGE LIC. Schuyler Co. MO.Paage 58,Book C, 1871-92 (MCCL Doc. 13)

    Children:
    1. C. Frank Payne was born in May 1875 in Missouri; died about 1936 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
    2. Aubrey Hamilton Payne was born on 28 Mar 1877 in Shelby County, Missouri; died on 25 Nov 1954 in Eureka Springs, Carroll County, Arkansas; was buried in I.O.O.F. Cemetery, Eureka Springs, Carroll County, Arkansas.
    3. Samuel E. Payne was born about 1879 in Texas; died about 1904 in Hardeman County, Texas.
    4. 2. Marvin Walter Payne was born on 17 Jan 1881 in Gainesville, Cooke County, Texas; died on 4 Jan 1948 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
    5. Effie Mae Payne was born in May 1883 in Texas; died about 1963; was buried in Tonkawa, Kay County, Oklahoma.

  3. 6.  William Miller Gentry was born on 23 May 1851 in Tennessee (son of John Melton Gentry and Pamelia C Harpole); died on 23 Sep 1929 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.

    Notes:

    The following biography was written by Kenneth Charles Harvey.

    The eldest child in his family, he was known as Will to his wife and Billie to his siblings. He was about eight years old when he was taken to Texas from Missouri, he remembered nothing of Tenessee. His eldest daughter, Grace, recalls his middle name instead as Melton. This is almost certainly incorrect.

    He was never involved in the Civil War, according to Lewis Adair Payne.

    He helped dismantle the frontier fort at Fort Worth, Texas by assisting in removing the pallisade. Presumably he was still living with his parents in Johnson Co. at this time. The date of this event needs to be established.

    1870 - A Wm. M. Gentry married Lucy E. Smith on 25 Apr. 1870 in Collin Co. Texas. There is no family recollection of any such previous marital event but it is highly likely that Will's first wife died. Molly may have known of this but simply never mentioned in later life that she was in fact Will's second wife. She may have preferred to keep this information to herself.

    Will, who was a physically very strong man, initially used his father-in-law's wedding present, of a team of horses and wagon, to haul whisky etc. as far west as the saloons in Pecos. It was possible to make more money with transporting whisky than hauling anything else. This was a dangerous activity at the time as the Commanche Indians were still hostile, and active, in the surrounding area. He himself evidently spoke a little Indian (probably Choctaw).

    He was a talented carpenter although his work never really met his wife, Molly's, exacting standards. She didn't forget easily that her own father had been a cabinet maker level of carpenter.

    1880 - The family were living in Wise Co., Texas, where Will (29) was farming. Mollie (23) was keeping house and looking after the children Carrie (5), Gertie (2) and baby Frank. The enumeration locality was 130 (possibly near Decatur). (Microfilm page 225).

    Will's paternal grandfather was a Baptist preacher who started a church, probably in Hillsboro, Hill Co., Texas. The old man appears to have moved from there to Wise Co. at some point either prior to or after 1873. He must have been nearby to his grandson, Will Gentry, around this time as he used to borrow Will's horse team and wagon without asking. Presumably this occurred when young William was not around. He would just hitch the horses up and take them off without a word. This used to greatly annoy his granddaugher-in-law, Molly. It was, after all, her father who had given the team to the couple as a wedding present. The preacher would have been in his late seventies by then. The Trawick family was also in Wise County as of the 1880 census. They lived in Wise County until around 1887.

    1887-They then moved north to Indian Territory. This relocation out of Texas was to what was later to become the state of Oklahoma. Will now purchased a 320 acre farm east of Duncan on Wild Horse Creek, Stephens Co. People were moving into this Territory as pioneers because the land was much cheaper. He also had a financial interest in a cotton gin while in Oklahoma. The house that he built there consisted of two stories. There were two rooms and an entrance hall on the ground floor with a stairs, aligned east/west, leading up to a small landing at the front with two bedrooms at either side. There was an additional single story dining room accessed from the downstairs hall with the kitchen at the end of this extension. The front of the house faced east and there was a well outside the kitchen door on the south side of the building.

    1903-Will was photographed in a family group picture at his parent's home in Alma. Mollie was not in the picture. His parents were living in a small, one story wooden house.

    1910 - Will was listed as living in Park Township, in 1910, with his wife Molly and the youngest two of their children. Also living with them was 4 year old Louisa Payne, presumed to be the youngest daughter of Permelia Gertrude Gentry and Walter Payne. Permelia died shortly after Louisa was born. He was living on 320 acres which must have consisted of, in half, the 160 acres which was later legally described as "The East Half of the West Half of Section Four (4), Township One (1) South, Range Five (5) West, I(ndian) M(eridian)." [Payne, Grace Ellen (1948) Affidavit giving legal notice of intention to file suit in District Court of Stephens County, Oklahoma. Ref: Book 414, page 344] Will had probably owned the whole western half, of section four as described.

    1911 - Described as "of Arthur" on his son John's marriage in 1911 in Stephens Co., Oklahoma.

    1920-Census record has not been found.

    Will left his farm and house, having basically retired in about 1920, the elderly couple now moved to what was to become 721 Spruce Street, Duncan. Will had bought a block of land there, number sixty-seven, close to the city. He proceeded to break the block up into building lots which he then began to sell off as sites for homes. He built their own new house on one of these lots. His grandson Carl Payne and Tommy Payne purchased two other lots and built homes on them. Molly was never happy in the house as she felt it was not finished properly and the side was too close to the street. People could look in and see her eating as they walked along. The house was still standing in 1997.

    Frank now took over the farm and the house on Wild Horse Creek his father had left there. Frank, in turn, rented part of the 320 acres to his brother Emory. Emory was considered the best farmer in the family. Sadly, the house Will had built was burnt down much later.

    1923-Celebration of their fiftieth wedding anniversary. This large family reunion started off at their own home in Spruce street and then moved the same day to son-in-law, Walter Winchell Payne's, ranch where there was presumably more space.

    1929 -William M. Gentry died.

    W. M. Gentry's gold watch was given, on his death, to grandson, Lewis Adair Payne. Sometime later the watch was "borrowed" by Lewis' elder brother, "Snort." At the time they all thought that the valuable heirloom was lost down the well. Later on there was a reconsideration. A neighbouring boy who had suggested that it had fallen down the well and who was playing with the children at the time probably stole it. Apparently he was known for his light fingers.

    Lyn Cordell found both of the following, items:

    First, a story by Sudie Thornton Sharp, born in 1877 in Texas. Her family moved to Indian Territory when her father "purchased the improvements on some Indian land, which comprised several hundred acres, near where the Arthur post office and store were located---about 10 miles northeast of Duncan." (Lyn noted that actually, Arthur is more straight east of Duncan. The Indian Base Line that my grandparent's lived on is Beech Street here in town. We live about 1/2 mile north of Beech now). Anyway, Mrs. Sharp continues to say, "After a short visit with my parents at Arthur I came to Duncan and soon had a music class, being Duncan's first music teacher. I went from house to house, giving lessons on organs and pianos. My first boarding home was with William Gentry and family. The Gentrys were the parents of Mrs. Marvin Payne and Ed Gentry." After she married Mr. Sharp they started a store in 1901 about 14 miles northwest of Duncan. In 1902 their store got a post office and it was named Nellie.

    She also found the obituary of William Gentry, published in THE DUNCAN WEEKLY EAGLE, dated Thursday, Sept. 26, 1929:

    County Pioneer Called By Death
    W.M. Gentry, One of Oldest Citizens of County, Died Monday After Months of Suffering.

    W.M. Gentry, a resident of this section for more than 39 years, died at the family home in Duncan at 9:40 o'clock Monday morning, following a lingering illness of several months duration. Mr. Gentry, who was 79 years old at the time of his death, moved to what is now Stephens county in 1890 and settled in the Arthur neighborhood, east of Duncan. He moved to Duncan some eight years ago. During his residence in the county Mr. Gentry saw the country develop from a wilderness to a great agricultural section, and played no small part in this development, for he was among the county's foremost citizens.

    Funeral services were held at 3 o'clock Tuesday afternoon from the First Baptist church, conducted by Rev. J. J. Ward, a pioneer minister of this county, and the pastor, Rev. T. P. Haskins. Interment was in the Duncan cemetery, the arrangements being in charge of the Beeson Grantham Funeral Home.

    Mr. Gentry was a native of Tenn., and moved in Indian Territory from the land of his nativity. Surviving him are his widow, five children and 27 grandchildren. The children are: Ed J. Gentry, Ft. Worth; John W. Gentry, Alpine, Tex.; Mrs. Marvin Payne, Duncan; E. H. Gentry, Oklahoma City; and Mrs. S. P. Hall, Roxanna, Tex. Two sisters, Mrs. Lum Parsons of Oklahoma City and Mrs. Jerry Williamson of Decatur, Tex., and two brothers, J. P. Gentry of Oklahoma City and J.E. Gentry of Arthur, also attended the funeral.

    (Research):"Family Record-Parents' Names-Husband William Miller Gentry Born May 23rd 1851 Tenn. Wife Mary Evelyne Gentry Born Aug 27th 1856 W. Va. Married July 13 1873 at Grayson Co. Texas, lived in Texas 1873 to 189- Moved to Ind Ter." [Gentry, Ruth Pearl (1930) Family Genealogical Record Form (probably largely compiled by Ruth circa 1911-1930)-photocopy of the double spread torn pages in possession of Penny Ethlen Payne. Original with Scott Philip Hall?]

    1900 census Chickasaw Nation IT (Stephens Co. OK) ED 166 pg. 40A
    169/176
    Gentry, William M., May 1852, 48, married 26, TN KY TN
    Mollie E., Aug. 1856, 43, 8 children/7 living, VA VA VA
    Frank M., son, May 1880, 20, TX
    Edgar J., son, Dec. 1882, 17, TX
    John W., son, Aug. 1885, 14, TX
    Grace E., dau., Nov. 1888, 11, TX
    Emory H., son, May 1893, 7, IT
    Ruth P., dau., Dec. 1896, 3, IT
    John M., father, Dec. 1827, Married 50, KY KY KY Pamelia C., mother, Mar. 1827, 7 children/5 living, TN TN VA

    William married Mary "Molly" Evelyn Mounts on 12 Jul 1872 in Grayson County, Texas. Mary (daughter of William J. Mounts and Salinda Galloway) was born on 27 Aug 1857 in West Virginia; died on 10 Sep 1940 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  4. 7.  Mary "Molly" Evelyn Mounts was born on 27 Aug 1857 in West Virginia (daughter of William J. Mounts and Salinda Galloway); died on 10 Sep 1940 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.

    Notes:

    Known as "Molly." Her birth position uncertain, she was probably the youngest. She probably had TWO older brothers.

    Ken Harvey wrote the following biography of Molly Mounts Gentry based on interviews with her daughter, Grace Ellen Gentry, grandson, Lewis Adair Payne, and other family members. He wrote that Molly was said to have been abducted by her father from his ex-wife and grandparents in West Virginia. The story that has come down is that William J. did not approve of the way they were bringing her up. He had secretly let her know that he was in the area, and she met him at a pre-arranged place. His own armed brothers, who had been on the Confederate side in the war, followed them, but William who had been a Captain on the Union side, was careful to eluded their pursuit. He let it be known that he intended going south on the Mississippi from Memphis. They, father and daughter, did just this and then they quickly backtracked going north at the first steamer wood fuel stop on the river. They arrived in Chicago, presumably by train, "as the great fire was going out"-that would have been just after 8th October 1871; when Mary was fourteen years old.

    She later recalled that she had plenty of good clothes [during her three years] living with her father but she was not allowed to have a man touch her stockinged feet-this was considered inappropriate behaviour. He used to make a paper cut-out of his daughter's soles when she needed shoes. He was determined on proper behaviour. She had to walk with her arms straight down her sides and fix her gaze about twenty feet in front of her when walking in the public street.

    She became engaged, at about the age of fifteen, to a young man who presented her with a large and beautiful ring. It seems highly likely that this liason had been arranged somehow by her father. One day she saw her fiance riding a horse in a park with another woman. Young Molly became very upset and went up to him. Taking it off her finger she handed the ring back to him saying that "this [marriage] is not going to work!" Her father and she left Chicago shortly afterwards.

    William J. had hired a Mrs. Harris to be young Molly's live-in companion in Chicago. Mrs. Harris was a very strict and religious person who was very upset to discover her church minister playing poker with William J. one night after hours in a back room of his saloon. This saloon was somewhere to the south of Chicago. She said she was never going back to his church again. He was very amused about her outraged attitude and his surprising response to his daughter's prim adult companion was to say let us all leave the town.

    They all drove off next morning and he just left his saloon business as it was when he closed it down the previous night. He used to laugh all the time about Mrs Harris' reaction to her preacher's infidelity to his supposed ideals-presumably out of her earshot.

    Some time later, in the early 1870's, they all wound up in north Texas. It was presumably in Johnson Co. that young Molly set her heart on William Miller Gentry. He was six years older than her.

    Molly's father, made it clear that he did not approve of her choice of Will Gentry. Was he aware of Will's probable previous marriage three years previously? He did not, however, interfere when she decided to marry him. Instead he presented the couple with a team of horses and a wagon (four wheels). William J. Mounts drove away from the wedding service in Grayson Co. having made his fairwells. He was evidently very disappointed and apparently rather angry with her choice. Angry enough for he was never to wish to see her again, nor did he.

    Molly's grandfather-in-law, William Gentry, was a preacher. Mary had little time for him. It is noticable that he did not marry Molly and Will.

    When they were living in Stevens Co., Oklahoma, Molly discovered that a neighbour there had once lived in Chicago. The neighbour's brother, a wealthy man, was still living in that northern city and he always wore a large diamond ring that his young fiance had returned to him when she rebuffed him. He had never married after his loss. It is not known if Molly revealed her extraordinary secret to her Oklahoma neighbour on Wildhorse Creek.

    She used to tell a story about a relation of hers who had joined the army just after the Civil War. He had committed some infraction of the military rule book and was walking beside a General following an investigation into the event when he anxiously enquired of his superior, "what happens next?" The General replied, "we shoot at dawn." The comment was clearly not meant to be taken seriously, but it was. The evidently very nervous and highly impressionable young man immediately dropped dead from a severe heart attack.

    1900-In the census of 1900 Molly recorded that she had had eight children of whom seven were still alive. This agrees with our list as we know Carrie had died from blood poisoning the previous year.

    1930 census Stephens Co. OK King Twp., Duncan city, ED 69-4 Sheet 18B 725 8th St. ? 994/433 Gentry, Mary E., FW 73 Wd WV WV WV

    The Duncan Eagle-Sept. 12, 1940 Mary E. Gentry, 84, Dead After Long Illness in Home Here Mrs. Mary Evelyn Gentry, 84, died at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Marvin Payne, 813 Beech Ave. Tuesday afternoon, after a lingering illness with which she been afflicted for some time. She had been living with her daughter during the greater part of her illness. Other children are Ed J. Gentry, Duncan; John W. Gentry, Alpine, Texas; Emery H. Gentry, Oklahoma City; and Mrs S. P. Hall, Great Bend, Kan. Also surviving are 31 grandchildren, 17 great-grandchildren, and one great-great-grandchild. Funeral services will be held at 2:30 this afternoon in the First Baptist church with the Rev. Frank Sutton, pastor of the Immanuel Baptist church, officiating. Burial will be in Duncan cemetery. The Beeson-Grantham Funeral home was in charge of arrangements.

    Notes:

    Married:
    Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Gentry Celebrate their "Golden Wedding Day"

    Mr. and Mrs. W.M. Gentry of this city [Duncan] celebrated their "Golden Wedding Day" Friday at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Carl Payne, a few miles east of this city, surrounded by their sons and daughters, grand children, great grandchildren and a host of relatives and friends.

    Married 50 years ago in Pottsboro, Grayson County, Texas, Mr. and Mrs. Gentry came to Oklahoma before there was any Stephen's county of a city of Duncan. They have resided in Stephens county, near Duncan, for the last 33 years and in the city of Duncan for three years.

    Mr. Gentry, who has passed the 72nd milestone of life, was born in Tennessee, and moved to Texas when that state was young. Mrs. Gentry was born in West Virginia and grew to womanhood in Illinois after which she moved with her parents to Texas.

    Eight children were born to this union, six of whom are living. They are J.W. Gentry of Alpine, Texas; Mrs. Marvin Payne of Chickasha; Mrs. S.B. Hall of Garber, Oklahoma; and three sons who live on farms east of Duncan.

    There are 24 grandchildren and five great grand children.

    Mr. Gentry carries his age exceedingly well, as does also Mrs. Gentry and to see them as they go about their daily lives one would never suspect that they had travelled a-down the rosy pathway of love and life together for half a century.

    (GOLDEN WEDDING REPORT Newspaper clipping cut from unidentified Duncan City, Oklahoma newspaper, probably the Banner)

    Ken Harvey had the following to report about their union:

    Will married Mary Evelyn Mounts on Saturday, 12th July 1873 in Grayson Co., Texas. The marriage licence merely states that they were married by M. F. Cole. The marriage licence gives no further information. The day was incorrectly recorded as 13th. The question does arise as to why Will's grandfather, Preacher William Gentry, did not conduct the ceremony.

    His father-in-law William J. Mounts did not approve of young Will as a husband for his daughter Molly. He told his young daughter that "Will was just a Tennessee farm boy, and though pleasant enough, he would never amount to anything." She was not dissuaded.

    Will, it was always generally agreed, was evidently not very ambitious and rather easy going. Much later on, after her husband, Will's, death, Molly used to remonstrate with her young grandson Lewis Adair Payne "Get up and get going, you are just like Will sitting there for half an hour on your bed before making a move."

    Children:
    1. Carrie Francis Gentry was born about 1875 in Texas; died in 1899 in Oklahoma.
    2. Permelia Gertrude Gentry was born in Aug 1876 in Texas; died on 11 Sep 1906 in Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Marlow Cemetery, Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
    3. Franklin Melton Gentry was born on 24 May 1880 in Texas; died on 11 Jun 1928 in Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
    4. Edgar Jeffery Gentry was born on 26 Dec 1882 in Decatur, Wise County, Texas; died on 5 Jan 1967 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
    5. John William Gentry was born on 9 Aug 1885 in Decatur, Wise County, Texas; died on 20 Oct 1972 in Alpine, Brewster County, Texas.
    6. 3. Grace Ellen Gentry was born on 3 Nov 1888 in Decatur, Wise County, Texas; died on 16 Dec 1966 in Stillwater, Payne County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
    7. Emory Howell Gentry, Sr. was born on 26 May 1893 in Stephens County, Indian Territory; died on 1 Aug 1967 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma County, Oklahoma; was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Grady County, Oklahoma.
    8. Ruth Pearl Gentry was born on 19 Dec 1896 in Arthur, Parks Township, Stephens County, Oklahoma; died on 27 Dec 1987 in Pampa, Gray County, Texas; was buried in Fairview Cemetery, Pampa, Gray County, Texas.


Generation: 4

  1. 8.  Thomas Hamilton PayneThomas Hamilton Payne was born on 27 Jan 1819 in Bourbon County, Kentucky (son of William C. Payne and Sarah "Sally" Hamilton); died on 14 Sep 1884 in Montague, Montague County, Texas; was buried in Sep 1884 in Montague Cemetery, Montague, Montague County, Texas.

    Notes:

    Thomas Hamilton Payne was born 1819 in Kentucky. He was remembered by his family as a great hunter with gun and with hounds. He apparently moved to Missouri sometime before his marriage in 1843.

    Charles R. Strong and his daughter, Mary Pat Strong, while at the Shelbina Library came across many years of the land tax records for Shelby County from 1836 - 1863. The following information was found on these tax rolls:

    Year Owner Acres Section Township Range
    Thomas H. Payne
    80 16 59 9
    80 16 59 9
    40 17 59 9

    This family was not listed on the 1860 Ledger of Shelby slave owners.

    During the Civil War Thomas served in the Union Army. He enlisted with Captian C. Willmott in Shelbyville, Missouri on the 4th of April 1862. His unit in the Union Army was Capt. James W. Lampkin's Company H, 11th Regiment Cavalry, Missouri State Militia Volunteers. Thomas was made corporal. He was described as 6 ft. 2 in, with a light complexion, black hair and blue eyes. According to his service records, "It became evident soon after enlistment that diseases existed rendering the soldier unfit for duty." On June 1, he entered the hospital in Palmyra, Missouri to be treated. He was later moved to a hospital in Macon, Missouri. Thomas was discharged 7 July 1862. Surgeon C.C. Dickinson, who examined Thomas state that he was unfit for service "because of dyspepsia...existing long prior to enlistment. This man has suffered symptons of dypepsia for many years...and was unquestionably unfit for service when he enlisted." However, Thomas's immediate superior Sgt. Brown later testified that "Thomas H. Payne was, to the best of my knowledge, a sound able-bodied man....(and became) disabled in the line of duty by sleeping...in a dank room with open windows (during a period of almost constant rain), by reason of which he contracted asthma and typhoid pneumonia (as did many other soldiers quartered in this room)." This contradictory evidence caused Martha problems as she was trying to receive his service pension; and she had to provide lots of documents in order to eventually receive it.

    In the book APRIL 1865, Jay Winik notes that "On one level, (Missouri) was the very embodiment of the Civil War itself: a conflict-ridden slave state that didn't secede, a state deeply divided in loyalties, a state with an ill-formed identity. On yet another level, as it descended into full-scale guerilla war, Missouri became a very different creature altogether, less a reflection of what the Civil War was and more a mirror for what the Civil War could become. It became a killing field. Missouri also produced the most bloodthirsty guerillas of the war. Topping the list was Willam Clarke Quantrill, a handsome, blue-eyed, twenty-four-year-old former Ohio schoolteacher. A close second was Bloody Bill Anderson, whose father was murdered by Unionists..among their disciples were young men destined for later notoriety: Frank and Jesse James, and Coleman Younger...In early 1862, Quantrill and his band of bushwhackers launched a series of strikes into Kansas...(This led to) thousands of Federal troopers and Kansas militiamen (to) quickly pursue the bushwhackers...thus escalated the vicious cycle of retaliation and revenge...The Union soldiers hunted the guerillas like animals. By 1864, the guerrilla war had reached new peaks of savagry. Robbing stagecoaches, harassing citizens, cutting telegraph wires were everyday occurences; but now it was no longer simply enough to ambush and gun down the enemy. They had to be mutilated and just as often scalped...In one massacre, a Quantrill chieftain calmly hopped from one body to another, plundering his prey. Altogether he stepped on 124 corpses. In another massacre, those who surrendered were clubbed to death...(Eventually) all order broke down. Groups of revenge-minded Federals, militia and even soldiers, became guerillas themselves, angrily stalking Missouri, tormenting, torturing and slaying Southern-sympathizers. Ruthless repriseals and random terror became the norm, and the entire state was dragged into an incomprehensible and accelerating whirlpool of vengence...the very fabric of all civil society was torn apart...civilians became not just anxious spectators but unwilling participants. In a war without fronts, boundaries, and formal organizations, the divisions between civilians and soldiers/partisans almost totally evaporated. As time wore on, ever-greater numbers of people fled--to Texas, Colorado, California, Idaho even Tennessee. By 1864, most rural Missourians had become refugees, inside or outside the state." (Winik, pps. 158-163).

    The following deed was made 6 January 1876 between Thomas H and Martha J Payne his wife, Francis W Bosworth and Elizabeth H Bosworth his wife Wilbern Baldwin and Sarah H Baldwin his wife for and in consideration of one Dollar to be paid by Levi F. Payne of the county of Marion, Missouri sell real estate in Shelby County, Missouri to wit: the west half of the North East quarter of section 12 township 58 range 10 west containing 80 acres more or less. Recorded in the State of Kentucky, County of Jefferson (vol 2 C, P-138). [Apparently this had been recorded incorrectly at one time, because two deed corrections relating to this transaction immediately followed this deed].

    In 1877 and 1878, Tom's health became much worse. He was advised by his family physician (Dr. Payne of Clarence, Shelby County, Missouri, whose biography* follows this) that his medical condition "was incurable and he advised him to go to Texas as the change in climate (the air being less humid) might help him." In Brooke Payne's book THE PAYNES OF VIRGINIA, he lists the following 10 children as accompanying Thomas and Martha Payne to Texas: Samuel, William H.H., Newton, Winfield Scott, Elizabeth, Catherine, Caroline, Berilla Jane, Thomas and Walter.

    A published biography of William H.H. Payne has a slightly different list of children: Elizabeth, wife of John O'Neil, of Duncan; Kate, wife of Thomas Joyner, of Oklahoma; Samuel M., of Stephens county; William H., whose career has been sketched; Winfield, near Red Moon, Oklahoma; Levi N(ewton), of Wewoka, Oklahoma; Josephine, wife of L. F. McClannahan, of Duncan; Lula, wife of Allison Scott, of Duncan; Thomas B. ; and Walter W., of Duncan.

    Note that Berilla Jane is on Brooke Payne's list (and also the LDS Ancestral Files), but not in the biography of William H.H. Payne, or on any of the census records viewed. This could be the wife of Levi F. Payne. Therefore, it is assumed she is on Brooke Payne's list in error. Also, the LDS files have a son Lee, not listed in any other record. It is also assumed this also was an error.

    Tom and Martha's daughter Catherine Joyner had preceeded them to Texas. The other children all (without exception) moved to Texas as well. [Conversations with Lewis Adair Payne; National Archives as College Park; Thomas H. Payne Pension Application #36012-General Affidavit blank completed and signed by affiant G.T. Joyner of Chillcothe P.O., Hardeman Co, Texas on 16 February 1889].

    A neigboring farmer in Hardeman County was L.F. McClanahan, whom they became "intimately acquainted with." Two of their sons were married to McClanahan's. Both L.F. and another neighbor noted that Thomas was not able to perform manual labor (more than a quarter of his time) and that he had a severe cough. [National Archives as College Park; Thomas H. Payne Pension Application #36012-General Affidavit blank completed and signed by affiants L.F. McClanahan and J.B. Loring, Hardeman Co, Texas on 5 April 1887]

    At some point around 1880, Thomas and Martha appear to have moved east one hundred miles from Hardeman County to Montague County, and in 1880 itself, they are enumerated on the Cooke County, Texas census.

    In 1883, Thomas made a claim to be placed on the Invalid Pension Roll of the United States. He stated he was greatly disabled, which prevented him from obtaining his subsistance by manual labor (farming) by reasons of contracting asthma while in service of the United States. Thomas signed the declaration in ink with some difficulty. He clearly was a man unused to the demands of a pen.

    Thomas died on September 14, 1884. Dr. John Stinson, who attended him at the time of his last illness, stated that "He was suffering at the time...with what I thought to be asthmatic bronchitis. He was physically a wreck...He had all the symptoms of chronic bronchitis, and continually suffered from asthma, up to the time of his death, which occured from exhaustion."

    After Tom's death, Martha pursued the claim for a Widow's Invalid Pension. Her attempt gives the impression of being a much more determined assault on the official bastions, although the ultimate outcome is unknown.

    There is a photograph (120X170mm) of the elderly Thomas Hamilton Payne in the collection of Lewis Adair Payne. The original was presumably done circa. 1880 in Montague, Texas. Mary Olive Payne's daughter Dorothy has the original retouched photograph.



    Biography of Thomas Payn'e Family Physician, Harry C. Payne (Relationship, if any, unknown)

    PAYNE, Harry C, MD (1879 - 1938)

    Dr. Harry Clancet Payne worked his way through college, graduating from Missouri University School of Medicine in 1903. He was the son of Bennett Allen Payne, MD, who graduated from Rush Medical College in Chicago in 1868, practiced medicine in Clarence, MO, served in the Union Army in the Civil War, was captured, contracted Tuberculosis while a prisoner and died when Harry was only nine years old.

    Dr. Payne practiced medicine for a short time at Cherry Box and nearby Clarence, Mo. In 1904 he married Edna Kahlke of Rock Island, Illinois, and they moved to Paris where he practiced until shortly before his death from cancer.

    In 1921 he made an overland trip to Denver, Colorado with Albert Sladeck. He had been told that X-rays of his lungs indicated TB, but those taken at Denver showed what were diagnosed as old scars.

    A patient willed him a 13-room home and acreage with the stipulation that it be used as a hospital for at least two years. It was known as the Meyer Memorial Sanitarium in honor of the late parents of his benefactor, Mrs. Minnie Westphaling. After several years it was closed as Paris was not large enough to support a medical facility, and was only twenty five miles from well established hospitals.

    He was joined by Dr. Joseph Flynt in 1921. Dr. Flynt practiced in Paris until his death and was aswell loved as Dr. Payne.

    Dr. Payne's wife preceded him in death in 1937. They had three daughters - Helen Ford, Virginia Gibbs, Mary Grace Winburn.

    (Research):
    Census Listings:

    1850 Census
    Enumerated 20 Sep 1850
    Missouri, Lewis County, District 48
    451-452
    Saml Marshall 55 M Farmer 1720 Va
    Hannah Marshall 53 F Va
    Caladonia Marshall 12 F Mo
    Elizabeth Marshall 9 F Mo
    H/Cinderilla Kenosh 30 F $500 Va
    452-453
    Thos. H. Payne 30 M Farmer Ky
    Martha J. Payne 23 F Ky
    Sarah E Payne 5 F Mo
    Harriett C Payne 2 F Mo
    Saml A Payne 1 M Mo

    1860 Census
    Shelby Co, Missouri Census
    281
    Pain, Thomas H 41 M Ky
    Pain, Martha Jane 34 F Ky
    Pain, Sarah E. 15 F Mo
    Pain, Harriet 13 F Mo
    Pain, Saml. 11 M Mo
    Pain, William 9 M Mo
    Pain, Winfield 7 M Mo
    Pain, Levi N 5 M Mo
    Pain, Catherine J 3 F Mo

    1870 Census
    Missouri, Shelby County, Tiger Fork Twp,P O Nelsonville
    Enumerated 29 July 1870
    Page 20
    143-143
    Mahar, John 37 M W Farmer $250 $100 Mo
    Payne, Thomas 51 M W $3500 $512 Ky
    144-144
    """ , Martha 54 F W Keeping House Ky
    """, Sarah 25 F W Mo
    """, Samuel 21 M W Mo
    """, Willis 19 M W At School Mo
    """, Scott 17 S M At School Mo
    """, Lavina (sic) 14 F (sic) W At School Mo
    """, Carrie 13 F W At School Mo
    """, Luly 9 F W Mo
    """, Thomas 6 m W Mo
    """, Walter 3 m W Mo
    Payne, Sarah 81 F W Ky
    Hair, Robert 60 M W Farmer 5500 1820 Ky
    145-145
    """, Elizabeth 52 F W Keeping House SC
    """, John 24 M W $1800 $575 Mo
    Lair Aldeison 58 M W Farmer 6000 2650 Ky

    The Familysearch "1880 United States Census and National Index" has the following:

    1880 Census
    Census Place: Precinct 5, Cooke, Texas
    Source:FHL Film 1255298 National Archives Film T9-1298
    Page 32
    RelationSexMarrRaceAgeBirthplace
    Thomas H. PANE Self M M W 62 KY Occ: Farmer Fa: VA Mo: VA
    Martha PANE Wife F M W 53 KY Occ: Keeping House Fa: MD Mo: VA
    Elizabeth PANE Dau F S W 39 MO Occ: At Home Fa: KY Mo: KY
    Luseler PANE Dau F S W 18 MO Occ: At Home Fa: KY Mo: KY
    Wm. PANE Son M S W 29 MO Occ: At Home Fa: KY Mo: KY
    Thomas PANE Son M S W 15 MO Occ: At Home Fa: KY Mo: KY
    Walter PANE Son M S W 13 MO Occ: At Home Fa: KY Mo: KY

    (Medical):Y DNA:

    A Direct Male descendant of Thomas Hamilton Payne, bearing the PAYNE surname, was tested by FamilyTreeDNA in Houston. His line of descent is as follows:
    Thomas Hamilton Payne b. 1819 Kentucky
    Walter Winkle Payne b. 1867 Missouri
    Harry Carl Payne b. 1898 Indian Territory
    Living PAYNE, son of Harry

    His DNA was predicted to be R1b1, the most common haplogroup in Western Europe.

    The results were as follows:

    (DYS#)
    393-390-19-391-385a-385b-426-388-439-389-1-392-389-2-458-459a-459b-455-454-447-437-448-449-464a-464b-464c-464d
    (Alleles)
    13-24-14-11-11-16-12-12-13-13-13-29-16-9-10-11-11-25-15-20-28-15-16-17-17

    More information can be found at the following website, part of the PAYNE DNA project. The kit was #48173, and our Payne group was assigned to lineage 1b

    Thomas married Martha Jane Marshall on 5 Aug 1843 in Clark County, Missouri. Martha (daughter of Samuel Marshall and Hannah S. Hicks) was born on 27 Mar 1826 in Hardinsburg, Breckinridge County, Kentucky; died on 27 Oct 1900 in Oklahoma; was buried in Marlow Cemetery, Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 9.  Martha Jane Marshall was born on 27 Mar 1826 in Hardinsburg, Breckinridge County, Kentucky (daughter of Samuel Marshall and Hannah S. Hicks); died on 27 Oct 1900 in Oklahoma; was buried in Marlow Cemetery, Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma.

    Notes:

    In THE PAYNES OF VIRGINIA by Brooke Payne, it is noted that she is the daughter of "Silas Marshall of Lagrange, Mo." This is not correct, Silas is actually her brother.

    Following marriage in about 1844, the young couple were living next door to Martha's parents in Lewis Co., Missouri.

    Fay Payne Yeager found the family on the 1850 census is Lewis County, Missouri.

    Dorothy (known as Dotty Bob) Thompson has a Marshall family bible that may have information in it.

    Her tombstone in Marlow Cemetery gives her date of birth as 27 Mar 1827; that is exactly one year after what family records show as her her actual birthdate. It is possible that the tombstone is incorrect.

    She was 74 at the time of her death, and had been living with her youngest son, Walter and his wife Gertrude at the time of the 1900 census, taken a few months prior to her death.

    Notes:

    Married:
    Thomas Hamilton Payne and Martha J(ane) Marshall were married by Rev. Minor Ford a Minister of the Gospel in Clark County, Missouri on 5 August 1843. Sarah Ann Payne (then aged 63 and wife of Judge John Loomis Smith) signed an affadavit in 1889 stating that having been personally acquanted with the two, she had been present at the marriage of her brother Thomas Payne to Martha Jane Marshall by the Rev. Ford in August of 1843. [Thomas H. Payne Pension Application #494585--Army of the United States Certificate of Disability]

    Following the marriage, the young couple were farming and living next door to Martha's parents in Lewis County, Missouri.

    Children:
    1. Sarah Elizabeth Payne was born on 10 Oct 1845 in Shelby County, Missouri; died on 10 Apr 1919 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
    2. Harriett Catherine "Kate" Payne was born between 1848 and 1852 in Shelby County, Missouri; died about 1915; was buried in Butler, Custer County, Oklahoma.
    3. 4. Samuel Marshall Payne was born on 11 Mar 1849 in Hannibal, Marion County, Missouri; died on 20 Jun 1916 in Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried on 21 Jun 1916 in Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
    4. William Henry Harrison Payne was born on 1 Apr 1851 in Shelbyville, Shelby County, Missouri; died on 10 Dec 1917 in Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried on 11 Dec 1917 in Marlow Cemetery, Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
    5. Winfield Scott Payne was born in Feb 1853 in Shelby County, Missouri; died about 1928 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
    6. Levi Newton Payne was born on 2 Aug 1856 in Shelby County, Missouri; died on 3 Dec 1932 in Chandler, Maricopa County, Arizona; was buried in City of Mesa Cemetery, Mesa, Maricopa County, Arizona.
    7. Caldonia "Callie" Josephine Payne was born in Jul 1858 in Shelby County, Missouri; died about 1916; was buried in Holbrook Cemetery, Holbrook, Navajo County, Arizona.
    8. Louise "Lula" Payne was born about 1862 in Shelby County, Missouri; died about 1942.
    9. Thomas Bunker Payne was born on 24 Nov 1864 in Shelby County, Missouri; died on 11 Oct 1906 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Marlow Cemetery, Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
    10. Walter Winkle Payne was born in Mar 1867 in Shelby County, Missouri; died on 26 Mar 1929 in Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried on 29 Mar 1929 in Marlow Cemetery, Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma.

  3. 10.  Enoch Cox McClanahan was born on 18 Apr 1818 in Tennessee; died on 9 Mar 1877 in Dallas County, Missouri; was buried in Montgomery Cemetery, Tunas, Dallas County, Missouri.

    Notes:

    Charles Strong found the family listed on the 1850 Schuyler County, Missouri census listing while on a research trip in Schulyer County, Missouri in November, 2002. He also located a deed titled Elias and Adeline Brown to Enoch C. McClanahan filed for record on July 28, 1855, made and entered into on the third day of June 1854 in the State of Missouri, County of Schulyer for land. The land was located about a mile and a half northwest of the town called Green Top. Reference Book 4, page 67. Charles sent the copy of the complete deed to Cova Jean Williams for her files.

    U S General Land Office Records, 1796-1907 show that Enoch C. McClanahan was issued 40 acres of land on the 5th PM(eridan) in Schuyler County, MO, Twp 64-N, Range 15-W, Section 9, Accession #M04940___.291, Metes and Bounds No, Land Office Milan, Authority April 24, 1820, Sale-Cash Entry (3 Stat.566), Document Number 4240

    The brief biography, copied below, was found on his FindAGrave memorial page, created by Larry Boyd and maintained by Emma Sue.

    Enoch Cox McClanahan was born in Tennessee on April 18, 1818, to William and Sarah Cox McClanahan.

    The family moved to Missouri where, on August 4, 1838, Enoch married Andromache "America" Mills. Together they had ten children. They were married 25 years before America died in 1863.

    Enoch then married Mary Melinda Logsdon on November 20, 1864.

    Enoch died March 9, 1877. He is buried in Montgomery Cemetery. His stone is one of a very few that was able to be found in the cemetery. It was the more legible of the stones. He is buried next to his granddaughter, Loue.

    Census records list Enoch as a farmer. Cemetery records and his tombstone list him as a doctor.

    Taken from A Journey Through Time with the Taylor Family of Missouri by Emma Sue Davenport.


    (Research):
    Census Listings:

    1850 Census
    Schuyler County, Missouri
    #413
    McClanahan, C. 30 M Farmer Tennessee
    McClanahan, Mackey 30 F Tennessee
    McClanahan, Perry 11 M Missouri
    McClanahan, Olivia 8 F Missouri
    McClanahan, Edmund F. 6 M Missouri
    McClanahan, Elizabeth 1 F Missouri

    1860 Census
    Missouri, Schuyler, Saltriver Township, PO Greentop MO
    Enumerated 17 July 1860
    Page 127
    944-933
    E C McClamaham 45 M Farmer 3500 1600 Tenn
    Andromica McClamaham 43 F Ky
    Perry McClamaham 19 M Mo
    Olive McClamaham 15 F Mo
    Edmon McClamaham 13 M Mo
    Elizabeth McClamaham 12 F Mo
    Laura McClamaham 10 F Mo
    Lafayette McClamaham 10 M Mo
    Daniel McClamaham 8 M Mo
    Mary McClamaham 6 F Mo
    Alice McClamaham 1 F Mo

    1870 Census
    Missouri, Schuyler County, Salt River Township, PO Lancater
    Enumerated 5 Aug 1870
    Page 17 Stamped 391
    127-127
    McClannahan, Enock C 52 M W Farmer $--- $500 Tenn
    McClannahan, Mary M 30 F W Keeping House Mo
    McClannahan, Olive 23 F W Keeping House Mo
    McClannahan, Sarah 21 F W Keeping House Mo
    McClannahan, Laura 18 F W Keeping House Mo
    McClannahan, Lafayette 18 M W Keeing House Mo
    McClannahan, Daniel M 16 M W Keeping House Mo
    McClannahan, Frances 13 F W Keeping House Mo
    McClannahan, Alice 11 F W Keeping House Mo
    McClannahan, Dora 4 F W Mo

    Research Notes prepared by Ken Harvey below:

    5 legal sized papers I not sure just what they are. Enoch C. MCCL Deed to William M Gates Plat of Township of Schuyler Co. MO Greeting from the Sheriff of Schuyler Co. Mo. His signature as a Justice of the Peace 1 page from "Histories of . . Dallas . . . . . . .MO" 3 pages Masonic Records 1868 Has been appointed guardian of his children.

    It is understood that Enoch Cox McClanahan was born in Jefferson Co., Tennessee. The source for this event location is unknown. If this is correct then William McClanahan (b 1783), listed both in the 1830 and 1832 census indexes of that county, was almost certainly his father.

    TN/1830/William McClanahan/Jefferson Co./Microfilm No.180 page No. 91

    TN/1832/William McClanahan/Jefferson Co.

    William was the only McClanahan listed in Jefferson Co., Tennessee. Unfortunately he was not listed (1996) in the Index to the 1820 census where he would have been expected.

    Enoch married Andromache "America" "Mackey" Mills on 4 Aug 1838 in Cooper County, Missouri. Andromache was born on 18 Aug 1816 in Kentucky; died on 6 Oct 1863 in Schuyler County, Missouri; was buried in Greentop Cemetery, Schuyler County, Missouri. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  4. 11.  Andromache "America" "Mackey" Mills was born on 18 Aug 1816 in Kentucky; died on 6 Oct 1863 in Schuyler County, Missouri; was buried in Greentop Cemetery, Schuyler County, Missouri.

    Notes:

    The I.G.I. records her name as Andromache (America) Mills - from this it is assumed she was commonly called, and known as, America.

    She was presumably named after one of the finest drawn female characters in Homer's Iliad, Androm'ache; the wife of Hector.

    Carol McClaanahan Mikelson/Robin Haake emailed, in November 2020, that Andromache had a sister, Penelope Mills, another name from Homer's Iliad. She had once been told that John Mills was a sea captain, but has not found confirmation of that fact.

    Notes:

    Married:
    Cooper County, Missouri
    Record of Images of Marriages for Cooper, 1838

    State of Missouri
    County of Cooper
    Enoch McClanahan & America Mills
    This is to certify that Enoch McClanah and America Mills were united in marriage on Thrusday 2nd instand this 4th August 1838. Sam C. Davidson, Min. of Gospel

    Said to have been affiliated with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church.

    Children:
    1. Perry D. McClanahan was born about 1838 in Missouri; died on 13 Jul 1882 in Blackfoot, Bingham County, Idaho.
    2. 5. Olivia McClanahan was born about 1844 in Schuyler County, Missouri; died on 1 Apr 1910 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
    3. Edmund French McClanahan was born on 18 Nov 1846 in Schuyler County, Missouri; died on 7 Dec 1916 in Healdton, Carter County, Oklahoma.
    4. Sarah Elizabeth McClanahan was born on 8 Jun 1849 in Schuyler County, Missouri; died on 21 Jan 1921 in Cruce, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
    5. Laura McClanahan was born on 7 Aug 1852 in Schuyler County, Missouri; died on 24 Aug 1870.
    6. Lafayette Fred McClanahan was born on 7 Aug 1852 in Schuyler County, Missouri; died about 1924 in Arizona; was buried in Holbrook Cemetery, Holbrook, Navajo County, Arizona.
    7. Daniel Webster McClanahan was born on 21 May 1854 in Schuyler County, Missouri; died on 13 Aug 1932 in Camden, Ray County, Missouri; was buried on 14 Aug 1932 in Hopewell Cemetery, Tunas, Dallas County, Missouri.
    8. Mary Francis "Fannie" McClanahan was born on 10 Aug 1856 in Schuyler County, Missouri; and died.
    9. Alice McClanahan was born on 10 Mar 1859 in Schuyler County, Missouri; and died.

  5. 12.  John Melton GentryJohn Melton Gentry was born on 19 Dec 1827 in Kentucky (son of Preacher William G. Gentry and Mary "Polly" ???); died on 3 Mar 1904 in Alma, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory; was buried in Alma Cemetery, Alma, Stephens County, Oklahoma.

    Notes:

    John's middle name is not known with certainty. Milton was recorded by the undertakers following his death. They probably misheard this however. Grace Gentry has told Lynell Gentry it was actually Melton. And as a grandson was nameed Franklin Melton Gentry, the balance of probability suggests that he was John Melton Gentry.

    The Salt Lake Ancestral File gives John M. Gentry's birthdate as 1828 in Madison Co., Kentucky. However, on the 1870 Johnson Co, TX census, his computed date of birth would be 1830. On the 1900 Stephens Co, OK census, his computed date of birth would be December 1827.

    John's son, William, recorded his father's birth state as Kentucky although John himself had recorded it as Tennessee ten years previously.

    Significantly no parents for John are listed in the Ancestral File and a Samuel Gentry is given as "relation." Unfortunately the source of this data concerning Samuel is not immediately indicated. This ancestor entry was made on 20 Dec. 1937 by a member of the Mormon Church, probably long gone by now. The original data entry should be followed up. The Microfilm Reference is 183571 page 650. Ordinance 22555 Salt Lake.

    1850-Recorded in Obion County, Tennessee Dist #2, page 705

    1854 - "History of Johnson County, Texas" states that a John Gentry was elected County Commissioner. This probably was another John Gentry as census records cited below show that our John M. Gentry must have moved to Missouri sometime around this period.

    1855 and 1859-- The family moved to Missouri where daughters Ellen, Sallie and Virginia were born.

    1859 - John M. Gentry (31) probably migrated to Texas circa 1859, after a stay of about four years in Missouri. His son, William Miller Gentry, was therefore eight years old when they migrated to Texas. In later life he apparently had no memories of life in Tennessee, we can assume however that the boy did remember life in Missouri. They moved from Missouri to Texas shortly before the outbreak of the Civil War. The raging debates leading to the Missouri compromise, prior to the Civil War, may have hastened their departure. In the book APRIL 1865, Jay Winik notes that "On one level, (Missouri) was the very embodiment of the Civil War itself: a conflict-ridden slave state that didn't secede, a state deeply divided in loyalties, a state with an ill-formed identity. On yet another level, as it descended into full-scale guerilla war, Missouri became a very different creature altogether, less a reflection of what the Civil War was and more a mirror for what the Civil War could become. It became a killing field."

    1860 - John's real estate in the Grandview Post Office area in Johnson Co., Texas, was valued at $270 in 1860 and his personal property at $525. He was a farmer and he was now employing a farm labourer from Alabama, Sam Benge (23), who lived with the family.

    His father was possibly in nearby Hillsboro, Hill Co. where he was presumably developing his newly founded Baptist Church.

    1861-On March 30, A Jno M. Gentry (33) was elected an officer in the Grandview Calvary, Johnson Co, Texas. He became one of six corporals in the newly formed CSA. {Johnson Co, Texas, Civil War Declaration and Muster Roll from the Commisioners Court Ledger Book "A". Muster Roll of the Grandview Cavalry, p 244}. His younger brother, Wesley (19) served as a private in the same company. Wesley was listed as #44 out of 61 privates in the same company. They were under the command of Capt. Jacob S. Morrow. {p. 245}.

    The military records cited above might be for another John M. Gentry. Lynell Cordell also found the following records: "Gentry, John M--Card #50325527, Pvt, Co. A, 18th Regiment Texas Cavalry, Company Muster Roll of the organization named above, for Jan 15 to June 30, 1862. Enlisted March 1, 186- (blank) at Dallas, Texas for a period of one year. No pay received. Discharged May 29, under Conscript law [Probably too old] A.B. Mustain, Copyist

    1861-"History of Johnson County, Texas" states that the Grandview Masonic Blue Lodge #266 A.F. and A.M. was chartered June 14, 1861. J.M. Gentry was listed as a charter member, along with W.G. Gentry.

    1870 - Census, Johnson County, Texas ED 628

    Ca. 1875-- "History of Johnson County, Texas" states that "Pupils from many places came to board in the homes of the families living in the neighborhood, and a number of new families moved here and built homes on five acre lots given for the purpose [of building Oakland College] by Philip Walker, Judge Harrison, John Gentry, Dr. L.H. Gebhard and James Houston." (p 360)

    26 March 1877-Jesse W. Bell and James K. Blair relinquished and conveyed to J.M. Gentry and Jesse A. Gentry the rights, titles and interests in and to land in Grayson county. Jesse Bell and James Blair had previously purchased the land from the administrator of Christian Blair. The reason for the transfer is unknown, as is the relationship of Bell and Blair to the Gentrys. (Vol. A1 Grayson County, TX)

    1878- J.M. Gentry purchased 12 acres of Timber land for $75 from J.A. Gentry in Grayson County, Texas. (Volume 44, Grayson County Bonham, TX)

    1880 - Grayson County, Texas ED 7, page 145. Also living with the family was a 25 year old servant, J.C. Matthews, and John's youngest sister, Mary "Mollie" Gentry Bush. Mollie is listed as a boarder, and living with her three small sons, Willie, Harry, and Marcus Roy.

    John's son William Miller Gentry is now living in Wise Co. with his wife and young family. Zada Trawick's family was also in Wise Co. in 1880. It is possible that John M. and Pamelia could have moved there after the 1880 census, and also that Preacher William, possibly in need of care, could have been there around that time also.

    1885- Land record, Vol 5, Page 176, Wise Co., Texas J.M. and P.C. Gentry sold about 46 1/2 acres to J.C. McCraken.

    1887-Land record Vol 11, page 434, Wise Co., Texas J.M. and P.C. Gentry sold (?) 130 acres to Burges. Says something about part of blk 11, league #2. Hunt School Land.

    1890-Land record, Vol 19, page 310, Wise Co., Texas Sold 130 acres in Block 11, League #2, School land, to Jerry Williamson (son-in-law?)

    1895- Land record Vol 31, page 284, Wise Co, Texas. Something else about the 130 acres sold to Burges Block 11, League #2, Hunt School land.

    1900-He and Pamelia were living with his son and daughter in law, William M. and Mollie Gentry.

    1901-A J.M. Gentry purchased "land situated in Fannin County, Texas on the waters of Brushy Creek being part of a Survey originally granted unto Wm Martin" from W.A. and Rosa B. Ayres for $400 cash and a $100 note. (Book 17, Page 488-489 Fannin Co, TX). It is not known if this is the same person a John Melton Gentry, who was residing in Oklahoma at that time.

    Lewis Adair Payne has a copy (currently mislaid) of a four generation group photograph of John Milton Gentry and Pamelia Harpole taken around 1902. They, the grandparents in the picture, apparently died shortly afterwards. The original image, which is unfortunately not a very good piece of portraiture being taken from a distance, is probably the property of Dorothy Thompson. This important photograph apparently shows John (75), with a large beard and sitting. The rest of the seven people portrayed are apparently standing; Pamelia (75), William Miller Gentry (50) and his wife Mary Evelyn Mounts (46) with two of their children Permelia Gertrude (25) and Pearl (6). Gertie's husband Walter W. Payne and their first born child Carl (4). The picture was taken in front of William and Martha's house and a neighbour woman can additionally be seen nearby. This picture, when compared to Lynell's damaged double portrait of John and Pamela (Harpole) Gentry, seems to be of the same people. Anna Laura Payne confirmed the identity of the John and Pamela, remembering the portrait from her childhood. Charles Strong remembers the portrait, before damage, hanging in the home of James Edwin Gentry and Zada Trawick.

    1900 - Both John Milton and Pamelia C. Gentry were living with their son William M. Gentry in Stephens Co., Oklahoma in 1900.

    1902-John M. Gentry becomes the 11th Masonic Worshipful Master, Lodge No. 54, in Velma, Oklahoma.

    1904 - (Tombstone Inscription, surmounted by Masonic Insignia) JOHN M./GENTRY/ BORN/ DEC. 19. 1827/ DIED/MAR. 3. 1904/AGED/ 76Yrs. 2 Mos./ &15Das.

    John married Pamelia C Harpole about 1850 in Tennessee. Pamelia (daughter of John Harpole and Mary Ann McMinamy) was born on 20 Mar 1827 in Obion County, Tennessee; died on 19 Jul 1903 in Alma, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory; was buried in Alma Cemetery, Alma, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  6. 13.  Pamelia C HarpolePamelia C Harpole was born on 20 Mar 1827 in Obion County, Tennessee (daughter of John Harpole and Mary Ann McMinamy); died on 19 Jul 1903 in Alma, Chickasaw Nation, Indian Territory; was buried in Alma Cemetery, Alma, Stephens County, Oklahoma.

    Notes:

    The following biographical details were compiled by Ken Harvey:

    1827-Pamelia was born in March, possibly in Obion County, although her mother may have returned to the family home in Rutherford County for the birth of her first child. No record has been found of the event. The Obion County organization was created in 1832, and it is possible that early records were lost or never created in the first place. Pamelia's birthdate is recorded on her tombstone. The following is in HARPOLE COUSINS "Permelia E. Harpole (dau. of John and Elizabeth Swingley Harpole, page 368) b. March 20, 1820; d. May 13, 1847 m July 18, 1846 to James H. Chandler, Madison County, Tennessee." The date of birth appears to be incorrect, seven years to the day too early, and Pamela was born following the death of Elizabeth Swingley. Additionally, it was her first husband, James Chandler who probably died circa 1847. Lynell Cordell wrote to the authors of "Harpole Cousins" to ask about this and they could not tell her where they obtained the original information.The birth date in the book and the birth date on Pamelia's grave stone both show March 20, so they could very well be the same person, but that still leaves the year in doubt.

    The 1830 and 1840 census records for the John Harpole family:

    1830 census, Obion Co. TN pg. 159 Schedule: Male-Females, 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, then in increments of 10. Harpole, John, 012001-0100001 (The youngest female was 5-10 years old, born between 1820 and 1825)

    1840 census, Obion Co. TN Schedule: Given and Surname of head of household and number of male/female. Males: 0-5, 5-10, 10-15, 15-20, 20-30, 30-40, 40-50, etc until 13th number, which is over 100. Females are the 2nd group of numbers. 133. John Harpole, 0101201-00001001 (Youngest female was between 20-30, born between 1820 and 1830)

    1846 - James H. Chandler married Permilia (sic) Harpool on July 19, 1846, Obion Co., Tennessee. Bond: J. H. Chandler and Thomas G. Jenkins. Officiant: Cage Hale, J.P. The marriage license was issued the previous day. [Gary, Grace D. & Stricklin, Carolyn W. (1978) OBION COUNTY TENNESSEE MARRIAGE RECORDS 1824-1877]. "Our" Pamelia would have been aged 19 at this time. It is probable that her husband James died a short time afterwards without children and Pamelia remarried soon after. James H. Chandler died in 1849, and his estate sold the following items to Albert C. Harpole, Pamelia's brother: "table cloth, 2 peased quilts & linens, chest, bedstead & cord, 3 bed quilts, cover lid, and blanket," for a total amount of $27.25. These items may have been bough for Pamelia. At that time, if there was no will, the wife did not inherit even the necessities. According to the book, Harpole Cousins, Albert's sister Permelia was already dead by this time.

    Sometime prior to 1849, Pamelia married John Melton Gentry. The marriage was probably conducted by John's father, the Baptist preacher and J.P., William Gentry. He may well have forgotten to record the ceremony in the Obion Courthouse. No marriage record for John M. Gentry and Pamelia Harpool, or Chandler, has every been found. The early death of Pamelia's full brother, William Harpole, would not have helped in perpetuating her memory with the Harpole family who remained in Tennessee after Pamelia moved to Texas with the Gentry's.

    1850-Pamelia was living in the Gentry household with John and his mother, Polly, and his siblings. Pamelia and John are both shown as age 23. The rest of the census records in Texas and Indian Territory shows Pamelia only 2 to 3 years older than John, or the same age.

    Lynell contends that the supposition that Pamela is the daughter of John Harpole and Mary Ann McMimany is still far from proven. Her contention is that we are ignoring some things in "Harpole Cousins," such as the books dates for John and Elizabeth McSwigley Harpole's daughter, Permelia and yet take as a fact that *our* Pamelia is the daughter of John Harpole. And until the date of birth can be proven or disproven, we don't know whether her mother is Elizabeth Swigley or Mary Ann McMinamy.

    1860 - It is very noticable that there are no Harpoles in this census of Tennessee. There are however quite a lot of Harpools. Had the name undergone further anglisation? None of the 1850 Harpoles can be identified in 1860.

    1903 - Transcription of Pamela's Tombstone:

    MRS P. C. GENTRY/ WIFE OF /J. M. /GENTRY/ BORN MAR.20.1827/ DIED/ JULY 18. 1903

    The name was pronounced Pa-meal-ya but spelled like Pamela or Pamelia.

    RECORDED SPELLINGS

    Pamilia Harpole

    Pamelia C Gentry

    Permelia C. Gentry

    E. Gentry

    Pamela Harpool

    Permelia Gentry

    P. C. Gentry Could the middle initial "C", used in the census and tombstone inscription, have, in fact, been a poorly written "G" for Gertrude? A granddaughter of Pamelia was named Permelia Gertrude in 1877; presumably named after her. The strong argument against this is that the "C" does occur three times.

    Puzzlingly, Permelia name was represented by the initial "E." in the 1870 census of Johnson County, Texas. Was this simply an enumerator's error? It certainly looks like it.

    Ruth Pearl Gentry had (1980) a picture of Pamelia C. Harpole which is presumably now [1996] in the possession of one of her children. Scott Philip Hall is thought to have inherited the family photographs including the portrait of Pamelia Harpole. He left Pampa, Texas, and is living (1997) in either New Mexico or Arizona. Lynell Gentry has a large portrait of Pamelia with her husband.

    In 1900 Permelia recorded on the census that she had had seven children of whom two were now dead. The children who did not survive were presumably Ellen and Sallie. They may have died without issue but we cannot be certain of this.

    1903-Photographed in a family group photo in her home in Alma with her husband John and two children.

    Fay Payne Yeager thinks that our Pamelia [Harpole] was Cherokee Indian but I (Kenneth Harvey) have never asked her why she thinks so. This is certainly not correct.

    Notes:

    Married:
    Fay Payne Yeager reports they had another daughter, named Mary. "She is not on a census but family history tells that John and Pamelia had a daughter named Mary that died young. An old saying was, "If a person is sitting by a window and a bird comes and sits on the window sill, that person is going to die." This happened to Mary." Ken Harvey is adament their is not daughter Mary. It was thought that a gravestone in the Oakland Cemetery in Johnson Co. TX that reads: "Sacred to the Memory of M. Mary Gentry Jan. ?, 18?5 (1865?) -- 1869" might be hers. However, an earlier transcription of the cemetery proves that this headstone was for the wife of Preacher William Gentry, whose date of birth was 1805, and who died in 1869.

    Children:
    1. 6. William Miller Gentry was born on 23 May 1851 in Tennessee; died on 23 Sep 1929 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
    2. Ellen J Gentry was born about 1855 in Missouri; died before 1900.
    3. Sallie A Gentry was born on 29 Jul 1856 in Missouri; died on 14 Sep 1876 in Johnson County, Texas; was buried in Oakland Cemetery, Grandview, Johnson County, Texas.
    4. Virginia E. "Jennie" Gentry was born in Jun 1859 in Missouri; died after 1930 in Oklahoma.
    5. John Price Gentry was born on 29 Mar 1862 in Johnson County, Texas; died on 14 Apr 1946 in Wichita Falls, Wichita County, Texas; was buried on 16 Apr 1946 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
    6. Lou Emma Gentry was born on 20 Jun 1866 in Johnson County, Texas; died on 10 Dec 1939 in Wise County, Texas; was buried in Cottonwood Cemetery, Wise County, Texas.
    7. James Edwin Gentry was born on 25 Mar 1869 in Johnson County, Texas; died on 16 Jan 1950 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.

  7. 14.  William J. Mounts was born on 30 Aug 1832 in Virginia; died in in Arkansas City, Cowley County, Kansas; was buried on 5 Jun 1905 in Mt. Hope Cemetery, Arkansas City, Cowley County, Kansas.

    Notes:

    Ken Harvey wrote the following biography of William Mounts, based on interviews with Grace Ellen Gentry, William's granddaughter, and Lewis Adair Payne, his great grandson, along with other family members. Some minor edits have since been made by Melinda Strong. Additionally, for more information about William J. Mounts and Salinda Galloway's siblings and parents contact Jay Kimmel - plainj@ieee.org

    Ken wrote that "William J. Mounts apparently trained as a carpenter and was thought to have attended the University of Virginia in about 1850. Afterwards he was to join the Union cavalry. He quickly became a Captain. Some of his brothers, however, fought on the Confederate side during the Civil War.

    William J. Mounts married in about 1854. He later maintained that he was pushed by his parents into what he claimed was an unfortunate relationship with Salinda Galloway, thought to be his step-mother's younger sister. He used to say later that people should not be bred like animals, he apparently considered that this is what had happened to him. When he divorced Salinda after the civil war, his family took Salinda's side-as did most of his own brothers. One of them, George Dobbs Mounts (apparentely a half brother0, however, evidently later maintained contact with him.

    The Mount families antagonistic reaction to William J's decision to divorce Salinda was so strong that he claimed that he had to leave his parental home in West Virginia. He took with him daughter Molly, accordingly with her consent, and headed ultimately for Chicago. His training as a carpenter now paid off. He laid a parquet floor in a new saloon there that was being built, for which he was paid $40 a day. This was a small fortune at the time, but carpenters were worth their weight in gold in Chicago after the fire. At the time a labourer earned only a dollar a day. In his woodwork he always drove a nail in at an angle as he was a very careful worker.

    Later he purchased or rented a saloon himself and set up business for a year or so.

    Father, daughter and live-in companion Mrs. Harris were said to have then moved south to Texas in the early 1870's. After his daughter Mary's was married to Will Gentry in 1872, he went north again.

    William J. remarried in about 1879, this time to an educated Indian woman originally from Kentucky whose name is unknown. The marriage probably took place in Arkansas City. He was living in Dewey, OK, at time of his death twenty-six years later. His second wife's former husband was said to have been a fellow Union officer of William J's who was killed in the Civil War. William and she had originally met in Kentucky. There were no children to this marriage.

    He was an intellectual type with very high standards. It was said of him, with some hyperbole, that he had voted in twenty states. William J. was a very fastidious dresser. However he apparently had no great strong family feelings. He always seemed to have money when it was needed.

    He broke off all contact with his daughter Mary after her marriage to Will Gentry. She heard occasionally about him but she never saw him again, nor is it thought that she ever saw her mother Salinda, although it is possible there was some contact.

    In old age he visited Arkansas City in order to get a horse and had a fatal stroke as he returned home to Dewey, Oklahoma. He fell from the buggy and was still clutching the horse's reins when his body was found by locals. His wife was unable to attend the funeral as she may have been ill and the ceremony was too far away from Dewey. His half-brother, George Dobbs Mounts, looked after his funeral arrangements. His funeral director was Undertaker Oldroyd. His son, David, was in San Francisco. Daughter Molly Mounts Gentry didn't hear about the event until someone sent her a newspaper cutting which described his death. She was to say that this was the first time she knew he had been living in Dewey, although in retrospect this is a little hard to believe.

    Mary was definitely in contact with both her step-brother James McCoy and her own brother David Mounts. One of them probably sent the newspaper cutting to her in Stephen's Co. Mary said that she knew that her father had been south visiting near her on several occasions but he never actually came to see her. She had been upset by this. He presumably would have heard about where she was even though he appears to have refused to contact her.

    She was to say that if he wanted her to have anything of his estate he would have said so and he didn't, so she never made any inquires about the matter."

    William married Salinda Galloway after 1853. Salinda was born about 1835 in Virginia; and died. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  8. 15.  Salinda Galloway was born about 1835 in Virginia; and died.

    Notes:

    There is an oval format, quarter length, photograph of Salinda Galloway aged about fifty in the possession of Lewis Adair Payne (1997). It would have been taken in about 1885 and passed to Lewis via his grandmother Mary Evelyn Mounts and his Aunt Pearl. On the reverse is the inscription "My grandmother, Salinda Galloway McCoy."

    Pearl Gentry (later Hall) wrote on the back. Her children have another larger picture of Salinda.

    Ken Harvey said that Salinda married second a McCoy, and they had a son James F. McCoy. Jim was a 33rd degree Free Mason who was a Post Master in Wichita, Kansas. Mary Evelyn Mounts had a very high opinion of him and used to refer to him as "Brother Jim." He was evidently very popular. His children were Carl, Frank and Mary McCoy. Mary might have married a Mr. Cross.

    Children:
    1. David A. Mounts was born about 1854 in West Virginia; died in in Oakland, Alameda County, California.
    2. 7. Mary "Molly" Evelyn Mounts was born on 27 Aug 1857 in West Virginia; died on 10 Sep 1940 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.