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Paul James Payne

Male 1922 - 2008  (85 years)


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Generation: 1

  1. 1.  Paul James Payne was born on 21 Nov 1922 in Oklahoma (son of Harry Carl Payne and Caroline "Carrie" Suzanne Cover); died on 14 Jul 2008 in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas; was buried on 16 Jul 2008 in Seaside Funeral Home, Nueces County, Texas.

    Notes:

    Military Discharge of a Paul James Payne is recorded in Stephens County Courthouse Book 6, page 307. Not viewed.

    Corpus Christi Caller-Times
    July 2008

    Paul J. Payne passed away July 14, 2008. He was born to Harry C. and Caroline Payne on November 21, 1922. He served in the Marine Corps during WWII. Paul was lovingly known as "P.J." and "Greatdad". He retired from Coastal States/Valero. Paul was a creative, innovator whose inventions brought fun, joy, laughter and happiness to those with whom he shared them. His daily home and work lives were also evident of his innovative nature.

    He is preceded in death by wife Pansy Payne, son Paul G. Payne, and brother J.R. Payne. He is survived by his son, Phillip (Becky) Payne; daughters, Klyda (Jerry) Gerber, Yvette (Ron) Schroeder, Zoe (Chuck McKinney) Payne; son by heart adoption, Danny Talley; Brother W.L. "Bill" Payne; Grandchildren, Phillip Gerber, Michelle Zudrell, Shanna Wiley, Eddie Gerber, Jackie Nash, Jeff Gerber, Stacey Evans, Kim Hammett, Joslyn Burnett, Nick Schroeder, and Tom McKinney; 16 Great-Grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be held Wednesday, July 16, 2008 from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Seaside Funeral Home. A Funeral Service will be held on Thursday, July 17, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. at Seaside Funeral Home Chapel. Entombment will follow at Seaside Memorial Park. In lieu of flowers donations can be made to the charity of your choice.

    (Courtesy Lynell Cordell)

    Paul married Vinita Joy Snow after 1945. Vinita was born on 27 Oct 1925 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; died on 1 May 2009 in Kirkland, King County, Washington; was buried on 8 May 2009 in Tussy Cemetery, Tussy, Carter County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Notes:

    Married:
    Yvette Schroeder writes that they were married shortly after he was discharged from his service to the Marine Corps during World War II.

    Children:
    1. Paul Gerald Payne was born on 15 Mar 1948 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; died in Jun 1948 in Oklahoma.
    2. Living
    3. Living

    Paul married Pansy M. Richey on 19 Dec 1953. Pansy was born on 16 Aug 1933; died on 2 Dec 2003 in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]

    Children:
    1. Living
    2. Living

Generation: 2

  1. 2.  Harry Carl Payne was born on 4 Feb 1898 in Stephens County, Indian Territory (son of Walter Winkle Payne and Permelia Gertrude Gentry); died on 19 Feb 1957 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Marlow Cemetery, Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma.

    Notes:

    H(arry). C(arl). Payne Dies Today Duncan Banner Wed. February 20, 1957 Pg. 1 Transcribed by C. R. Strong 11-29-2003

    Harry Carl Payne. 60, was found dead in his home on Duncan route 4, about 8 a.m. today. Death apparently was the result of a heart attack. A neighbor, Hoyt (Pete) Hardin, took Payne home between 8 and 9 p.m. Tuesday. Hardin, a brother-in-law, returned this morning and found Payne slumped on his bed and dead. Sheriff James Rose reported Payne had apparently sat on the bed and taken off his shoes, then suffered the heart attack. A retired farmer and rancher and veteran of World War I, Payne had lived in this area most of his life. He was a member of Velma Baptist Church. A native of Butler, Indian Territory, Payne was born February 14. 1897. Funeral will be at 2 p.m. Friday in the First Baptist Church here. Roy V. Harp, First Christian Church pastor, will officiate. Burial will be in Marlow Cemetery under direction of Grantham Funeral Home. Survivors include three sons, Paul James of 102 East Oak; W. L. of Duncan route 4; and Carl Jr. of Comanche. Also three sisters, Mrs.(Virginia Payne) Hoyt Hardin of Duncan route 4 and Mrs.(Vera Payne) John Young and Mrs. (Louise Payne) Charles Birnie, both of Roswell, N. M. and seven grandchildren.

    NOTE Headstone in Marlow Cemetery, Sect 10 Blk 10 (Lot 9), states b. 4 Feb 1898 (note in obit 2-14-1897) d. 2-19-1957. Assumed the headstone was correct.

    Additional Notes from Kenneth Harvey:

    There is an infancy photograph of Carl taken circa 1898 by L. C. Kelley in Duncan, I.T. It is in the possession of Lewis Adair Payne (1997).

    All of their three sons, their only three children, were in the Pacific theatre of the 2nd. World War and all three were at the battle of Iwo Jima. All survived even though they were in the thick of the fighting. Dorothy Pattison records another son "Dickie" but this is unlikely.

    1903-He was photographed at the age of four with his great-grandparents, John and Pamelia Gentry in Alma, I.T.

    1923-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.

    Harry married Caroline "Carrie" Suzanne Cover on 4 Aug 1920 in Stephens County, Oklahoma. Caroline was born on 21 Jan 1902 in Seneca, Nemaha County, Kansas; died on 25 Feb 1984 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Marlow Cemetery, Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 3.  Caroline "Carrie" Suzanne Cover was born on 21 Jan 1902 in Seneca, Nemaha County, Kansas; died on 25 Feb 1984 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Marlow Cemetery, Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma.

    Notes:

    Student at Mt. Saint Marys and graduated 6-10-1919. Probably Oklahoma City. Yvette Payne has a picture of MSMA.

    Duncan Banner Sunday, February 26, 19 84 Pg. 2. Transcribed by C. R. Strong 11-29-2003

    Caroline (Carrie) Susan Payne, 82, Rt. 4 Duncan, died Saturday, Feb. 25 in a local nursing home after a long illness.

    Service is pending with the Don Grantham Funeral Home.

    Born Jan. 21,1902, in Okmulgee, she was a Duncan resident for 64 years, a former bookkeeper and a member of the First Baptist Church.

    Survivors include three sons. Harry Payne of Comanche, Paul J. Payne of Corpus Christi, Tex., and W.L. Payne of Duncan; seven grandchildren and 10 great-children.

    Duncan Banner Monday, Feb. 27, 1984 (Courtesy of Lynell Cordell)

    Caroline S. Payne

    Caroline Susan Payne, 82, Rte. 4, Duncan, died Saturday, Feb. 25, at the Kanakuk Nursing Home after a long illness.

    Services will be at 2 p.m., Tuesday, in the Don Grantham Funeral Chapel with Brad Allen officiating. Burial will be at the Marlow Cemetery under the direction of the Don Grantham Funeral Home. Born Jan. 21, 1902, in Okmulgee, Payne was a bookkeeper until her retirement in 1976. She had lived in Duncan since 1920 and was a member of the First Baptist Church.

    Survivors include three sons, Harry C. Payne of Comanche, Paul J. Payne of Corpus Christi, Texas, and W.L. Payne of Duncan; seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren. Pallbearers will be Dale Biffle, Louis Chenault, Vic Powers, Jack Ketchum, Earl Wilson, Edwin Ketchum, Lyndel Strain and Sammy Dunn.

    NOTE Headstone in Marlow Cemetery, sect 10, in alley between Blks 10 & 20. states b. 9-13-1899 d. 4-13-1924

    (Research):mtDNA results:
    H (Helena)

    Mitochondrial haplogroup H is a predominantly European haplogroup that participated in a population expansion beginning approximately 20,000 years ago. Today, about 30% of all mitochondrial lineages in Europe are classified as haplogroup H. It is rather uniformly distributed throughout Europe suggesting a major role in the peopling of Europe, and descendant lineages of the original haplogroup H appear in the Near East as a result of migration. Future work will better resolve the distribution and historical characteristics of this haplogroup.

    HVR1 differences
    16051G
    16235G
    16291T

    Notes:

    Married:
    Vol. 6, Stephens County Marriage Book:, Lic. # 112 Harry C. (Carl) Payne to Carrie Cover on 8-4-1920 He was described as of Cruce, Oklahoma

    Children:
    1. Harry Carl "Junior" Payne, Jr. was born on 11 Nov 1921 in Oklahoma; died on 31 Jul 1988.
    2. 1. Paul James Payne was born on 21 Nov 1922 in Oklahoma; died on 14 Jul 2008 in Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas; was buried on 16 Jul 2008 in Seaside Funeral Home, Nueces County, Texas.
    3. Willie Lee "Billy" Payne was born on 20 Dec 1924 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; died on 3 Aug 2011 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.


Generation: 3

  1. 4.  Walter Winkle Payne was born in Mar 1867 in Shelby County, Missouri (son of Thomas Hamilton Payne and Martha Jane Marshall); died on 26 Mar 1929 in Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried on 29 Mar 1929 in Marlow Cemetery, Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma.

    Notes:

    Ken Harvey writes that "His middle name has also been shown as Winchell, however Winkle is the middle name shown on this tombstone, and has been verified by Willie Lee Payne.

    He ran cattle on land leased from Indian Territory (Oklahoma) Indians. It cost him ten cents an acre. He made a great deal of money out of this. He and his brother-in-law started a bank in Duncan. The checks were yellow and easily spotted in a pile.

    In a biography of his brother-in-law, John O'Neill, he was referenced as "Walter, a farmer and rancher at Duncan."

    Duncan Weekly Banner
    Friday, Jan. 19, 1917
    W. W. Payne is shipping out several cars of cattle today. They are consigned to Oklahoma City and Wichita markets.

    1919-Walter W. Payne, resident of Duncan, files an Affidavit of Heirship concerning his older brother Samuel's affairs. Samuel had died intestate nine years previously.

    1920-A Lodger in the home of Sarah Garrison of Alabama, in the King Township of Duncan. His occupation was listed as Farmer, Home Farm.

    1929-Walter W. Payne is buried in Section 10, Block 10, Plot 6, Marlow Cemetery, Oklahoma."

    Duncan Eagle, Tuesday, March 28, 1929

    Walter Payne Answers Call Brief Illness Fatal to Pioneer Rancher of Stephens County. Funeral Services This Thursday.

    Funeral services were held this Thursday afternoon for Walter W. Payne, pioneer ranchman of this section, who passed away early Wednesday morning. Services were at the First Methodist Church at 2 o'clock, with Rev. J. J. Ward officiating, assisted by Rev. A. P. Johnson.

    Burial was in the Marlow Cemetery. Arrangements were in charge of Beeson Grantham.

    Mr. Payne had suffered an attack of acute indigestion on Monday. He appeared to recover from this attack but was not feeling in the best of health, and decided to go to Sulphur for treatment. He left Tuesday, accompanied by his daughter, Mrs Jack Benton, and Mr. Benton. He was feeling much better Tuesday evening, and Mr. Benton returned to Duncan. Mrs. Benton remained with her father.

    Early Wednesday morning Mr. Payne suffered a second and more serious attack, resulting in his death at 2:30 o'clock. The deceased was born in Missouri, coming to what is now Stephens County when he was 20 years of age. He has since lived most of the time at his ranch 10 miles east and 3 miles north of Duncan.

    He was also active in the affairs of this city. He was associated with the late J. D. Wade and J. M. Armstrong in the Duncan National Bank and also served on the city council at an early day. Mr. Payne had been engaged in the raising of beef cattle at his ranch during the past few years. He recently purchased two Hereford bulls that ranked high at the fat stock show at Ft. Worth, said to be two of the finest beef animals ever brought to Stephens County.

    Six children, four daughters and two sons, survive. The daughters are Mrs. Ethel Benton of this city; Mrs Hoyt Hardin, 609 Maple Avenue; Mrs Vera Roberts of Oklahoma City; and Mrs. Louise Birnie of Shawnee. The sons are Carl and Dukie Payne, who lived with him on the ranch. There is one brother, Newton Payne, of Chandler, Arizona, and one sister, Mrs. A. Scott, of Ft. Worth. Seven grandchildren also survive. Mr. Payne was a member of the Masonic and Woodmen lodges, and of the Methodist Church.

    A more detailed obituary was also published in The Duncan Banner on Friday, March 29, 1929, page 7. This can be seen on his page on familysearch.org, and was posted by Marilyn Simmons.

    (Research):
    Census Listings:

    1900 census
    Stephens Co. OK (IT) ED 163 pg. 13A
    #211/214
    Payne, Walter, Mar. 1867, 33, married 5 yrs., MO KY KY
    Gertrude, wife, Aug. 1876, 23, 3 children/2 living, TX MO MO
    Emma Blanch, dau., Nov. 1895, 4, IT
    Harry Carrol, son, Feb. 1897, 3, IT
    Mary Ethel, dau, Sept. 1899, 8/12, IT
    Martha, mother, Mar. 1826, 74, Wd., 1 child/1 living, KY VA VA

    His wife Gertrude and daughter Emma died prior to the 1910 census, and Walter can be found with his sons Carl and John E "Dukey" sharing the home of his recently widowed sister-in-law, Lillie James Payne. His youngest daughter, four year old Louisia, was living with her maternal grandparents, William and Mollie Gentry, listed as "Layease, age 4." His older daughters, Mary Ethel (age 11), Vera (age 9), and Virginia (age 7), were enrolled at the St. Joseph Catholic Boarding School in Chickasha, Grady County.

    1910 Federal Census
    Oklahoma, Stephens County, Park Township, District 240 215-215
    Payne, Luellie Head F W 32 Wd 3/3 Texas Kentucky Missouri
    Payne, Maryan (Clyde) Son M W 10 S Oklahoma Missouri Texas
    Payne, John P(aul) Son M W 9 S Oklahoma Missouri Texas
    Payne, Margrit Daughter F W 6 S Oklahoma Missouri Texas
    Payne, Walter Brother in Law M W 42 Wd Missouri Missouri Missouri Rancher
    Payne, Carl Nephew M W 13 S Oklahoma Missouri Texas
    Payne, John E. Nephew M W 5 S Oklahoma Missouri Texas

    Walter married Permelia Gertrude Gentry about 1894 in Stephens County, Indian Territory. Permelia (daughter of William Miller Gentry and Mary "Molly" Evelyn Mounts) 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. [Group Sheet] [Family Chart]


  2. 5.  Permelia Gertrude Gentry was born in Aug 1876 in Texas (daughter of William Miller Gentry and Mary "Molly" Evelyn Mounts); died on 11 Sep 1906 in Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Marlow Cemetery, Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma.

    Notes:

    Gertie, as she was known, died following the birth of her sixth or seventh child. The baby girl, Louise, who survived, was not expected to live.

    Marlow Review
    Friday, Sept. 14, 1906
    Mrs. Gertie Payne: Wife of Walter Payne of Arthur, I. T. died Tuesday morning and was laid to rest in the city cemetery Wednesday. Rev. Burgess conducted religious services. She leaves a husband and several small children. Mr. Payne is a brother of Mr. W. H. Payne of this place. The funeral was largely attended by friends and relatives from Arthur and Duncan. To all the sorrowing ones we extend our sympathy.

    (Courtesy of Lynell Gentry Cordell)

    Children:
    1. Emma Blanch Payne was born in Nov 1895 in Stephens County, Indian Territory; died before 1907 in Stephens County, Indian Territory.
    2. 2. Harry Carl Payne was born on 4 Feb 1898 in Stephens County, Indian Territory; died on 19 Feb 1957 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma; was buried in Marlow Cemetery, Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
    3. Mary Ethel Payne was born on 13 Sep 1898 in Stephens County, Indian Territory; died on 23 Apr 1948 in Sulphur, Murray County, Oklahoma; was buried in Marlow Cemetery, Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
    4. Vera Payne was born on 12 Aug 1901 in Stephens County, Indian Territory; died on 23 Mar 1962 in Roswell, Chaves County, New Mexico; was buried on 27 Mar 1962 in Marlow, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
    5. Virginia Callie Payne was born on 23 Aug 1903 in Stephens County, Indian Territory; died on 21 Apr 1971 in Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
    6. John Earl "Dukey" Payne was born on 3 Jan 1905 in Stephens County, Indian Territory; died on 5 Jun 1953 in Oklahoma; was buried in Duncan Municipal Cemetery, Duncan, Stephens County, Oklahoma.
    7. Gertrude Louise Payne was born on 24 Aug 1906 in Stephens County, Indian Territory; died on 6 Apr 1969 in Pampa, Gray County, Texas; was buried in Roswell Cemetery, Roswell, Chaves County, New Mexico.


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. 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. 4. 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.  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. 11.  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. 5. 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. 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.