Payton - Thomas
Source: Portrait & Biographical Record of Montgomery, Parke & Fountain Counties, Indiana. Chicago: Chapman Brothers, 1893, p 605.
Thomas PAYTON, one of the well-to-do and enterprising agriculturists of Greene Township, Parke County, owns a substantial residence, which he erected at a cost of about $3,000 on his fine farm, which is situated on Sec. 21. He is engaged in mixed farming, keeps a first-class variety of stock of all kinds, raises thorough-bred Poland-China hogs and has some very good horses. Mr. Payton is much interested in the success of the Democratic party, has filled the office of Committeeman of the township and has been a delegate to the state and also to Congressional conventions. The paternal grandfather of our subject grew up with General Washington. He was a soldier in the War of the Revolution taking part in nearly all the battles and was an officer under the great commander, who was his personal friend. He was a man of more than usual ability and intelligence, pursuing the avocation of a school teacher the greater part of his life, and died shortly after the demise of General Washington. OUr subject's father, Anthony was born in the Old Dominion in 1801, and removed with his parents to KY in his early youth. In that state he married Miss Margaret, daughter of Mark Wallingford, who was an early settler of the Blue Grass region. To this worthy couple, were born 4 children while in Ky, and in 1828 the family removed to Indiana, settling in Greene Twp, on Sec. 22 where the father rented a farm for 4 years. In 1831 he located near Bellmore, in Union Twp, where he entered land. He was one of the first settlers of the township, and he at once commenced piling brush and clearing a place to raise food for his family and so diligently did he work that before the spring had passed 5 acres were ready for the seed. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Payton in this county. Only 4 of the family are living: Mrs. Juliana Lewis of Coone County, James F, a resident of Greene Twp, John L, of Sullivan County and our subject. The father, who was a member of the Predestinarian Baptist Church die din Oct 1853. His wife who held the same faith, survived her husband nearly half a century, her death occurring in December, 1882. Mr. Payton was a strong Democrat, and actively interested in the welfare of this region, to the development of which he contributed to no small measure. Thomas Payton was educated in the public schools of Parke County where his birth occurred 12 May 1832. He lived with his father, until his marriage on May 6, 1852 with Miss Martha Ann Stout who was born in Ky Sept 12, 1833. Her father, James Stout emigrated to this state from the Blue Grass region in 1834, locating in Union Twp, where he resided until his death in May 1889. He entered land of the government, opened up a farm and in time became the owner of several hundred acres. His wife was formerly Rhoda Maddox, and by her marriage she became the mother of 7 children: those living: Mrs. Payton; Mary Jane Connolly, who lives in Union Twp, William P and James O who lived in the same place, Sarah E (deceased) and Rebecca F, Mrs. John A. Rush, who lives in Iowa. After his marriage, Mr. Payton located in Union Twp, where he rented land for 5 years and then purchased 100 acre sin the same township. T his was in 1858 and he at once moved to the farm on which he lived for 7 years, then removing to his present farm. At first he owned 120 acres of this place, to which in 1875 he added 50 more. For about 30 years he has been engaged in carrying on this far, which his now one of the most desirable of the township. Mr. Payton is a man of considerable mechanical genius and in August 1891, he constructed an appliance which, by means of an hydraulic ram and tanks, furnished water for his stock in all parts of the farm. Of 10 children of our subject, 8 still survive. James A, is a fruit grower, raising lemons, oranges in California and is doing well. Mary F, is the wife of Jacob Collings, who lives in this township; William H lives in New Market; Sarah J wife of Robert Laffollete, lives near Raccoon Station, Montgomery County; Nancy J, wife of Samuel W. Jarvis, a farmer lives in Putnam County; Ella lives at home and has taught music for six years, prior to which she pursued her musical education for two years at Terre Haute, under Prof. Zobel; Ora is attending the commercial college at Terre Haute and is preparing for a mercantile life and Homer, now 16 lives at home and will graduate form the public schools. The two deceased children of our subject are George W, died about one year and John A, whose death occurred when 10. The pleasant home of the Payton family is one of the best in the county and, unlike the usually residence of farmers, is thoroughly warmed in all parts of the building during the winter season. Mr. Payton is a member of the predestinarian Baptist Church, attending Mount Moriah Chapel, to which his wife also belongs. He is quite a musician and leads the singing of the choir. It is safe to say that few men in this region are more honored and respected than is the gentleman of whom this is a brief record. -- transcribed by kbz (mistakes and all :)
Thomas PAYTON, one of the well-to-do and enterprising agriculturists of Greene Township, Parke County, owns a substantial residence, which he erected at a cost of about $3,000 on his fine farm, which is situated on Sec. 21. He is engaged in mixed farming, keeps a first-class variety of stock of all kinds, raises thorough-bred Poland-China hogs and has some very good horses. Mr. Payton is much interested in the success of the Democratic party, has filled the office of Committeeman of the township and has been a delegate to the state and also to Congressional conventions. The paternal grandfather of our subject grew up with General Washington. He was a soldier in the War of the Revolution taking part in nearly all the battles and was an officer under the great commander, who was his personal friend. He was a man of more than usual ability and intelligence, pursuing the avocation of a school teacher the greater part of his life, and died shortly after the demise of General Washington. OUr subject's father, Anthony was born in the Old Dominion in 1801, and removed with his parents to KY in his early youth. In that state he married Miss Margaret, daughter of Mark Wallingford, who was an early settler of the Blue Grass region. To this worthy couple, were born 4 children while in Ky, and in 1828 the family removed to Indiana, settling in Greene Twp, on Sec. 22 where the father rented a farm for 4 years. In 1831 he located near Bellmore, in Union Twp, where he entered land. He was one of the first settlers of the township, and he at once commenced piling brush and clearing a place to raise food for his family and so diligently did he work that before the spring had passed 5 acres were ready for the seed. Six children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Payton in this county. Only 4 of the family are living: Mrs. Juliana Lewis of Coone County, James F, a resident of Greene Twp, John L, of Sullivan County and our subject. The father, who was a member of the Predestinarian Baptist Church die din Oct 1853. His wife who held the same faith, survived her husband nearly half a century, her death occurring in December, 1882. Mr. Payton was a strong Democrat, and actively interested in the welfare of this region, to the development of which he contributed to no small measure. Thomas Payton was educated in the public schools of Parke County where his birth occurred 12 May 1832. He lived with his father, until his marriage on May 6, 1852 with Miss Martha Ann Stout who was born in Ky Sept 12, 1833. Her father, James Stout emigrated to this state from the Blue Grass region in 1834, locating in Union Twp, where he resided until his death in May 1889. He entered land of the government, opened up a farm and in time became the owner of several hundred acres. His wife was formerly Rhoda Maddox, and by her marriage she became the mother of 7 children: those living: Mrs. Payton; Mary Jane Connolly, who lives in Union Twp, William P and James O who lived in the same place, Sarah E (deceased) and Rebecca F, Mrs. John A. Rush, who lives in Iowa. After his marriage, Mr. Payton located in Union Twp, where he rented land for 5 years and then purchased 100 acre sin the same township. T his was in 1858 and he at once moved to the farm on which he lived for 7 years, then removing to his present farm. At first he owned 120 acres of this place, to which in 1875 he added 50 more. For about 30 years he has been engaged in carrying on this far, which his now one of the most desirable of the township. Mr. Payton is a man of considerable mechanical genius and in August 1891, he constructed an appliance which, by means of an hydraulic ram and tanks, furnished water for his stock in all parts of the farm. Of 10 children of our subject, 8 still survive. James A, is a fruit grower, raising lemons, oranges in California and is doing well. Mary F, is the wife of Jacob Collings, who lives in this township; William H lives in New Market; Sarah J wife of Robert Laffollete, lives near Raccoon Station, Montgomery County; Nancy J, wife of Samuel W. Jarvis, a farmer lives in Putnam County; Ella lives at home and has taught music for six years, prior to which she pursued her musical education for two years at Terre Haute, under Prof. Zobel; Ora is attending the commercial college at Terre Haute and is preparing for a mercantile life and Homer, now 16 lives at home and will graduate form the public schools. The two deceased children of our subject are George W, died about one year and John A, whose death occurred when 10. The pleasant home of the Payton family is one of the best in the county and, unlike the usually residence of farmers, is thoroughly warmed in all parts of the building during the winter season. Mr. Payton is a member of the predestinarian Baptist Church, attending Mount Moriah Chapel, to which his wife also belongs. He is quite a musician and leads the singing of the choir. It is safe to say that few men in this region are more honored and respected than is the gentleman of whom this is a brief record. -- transcribed by kbz (mistakes and all :)