My Genealogy Hound

DR. S. M. PAYNE, physician, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Lexington; was born in Salem Township, Washington Co., Ohio, Aug. 25, 1819; his early life was passed mainly on the farm; he was educated at Marietta College, in his native county, and, at the age of 23, began the study of medicine with Dr. M. D. Sheldon, having previously pursued his studies in private; he graduated at the Eclectic Medical College, in Cincinnati, in 1847, and settled in Jonesborough, Greene Co., Ind.; he obtained the means of obtaining his education by grafting fruit-trees, and, when he began to practice, he had saved enough money in addition to purchase a horse, buggy and harness, his pill bags full of medicine, and had $1.50 in cash. He was married Nov. 15, 1847, to Miss Elizabeth Franklin, who was born in Owen Co., Ind., Feb. 15, 1829. After practicing three years in Jonesborough, he removed to Spencer, Owen Co., where he remained one year; in 1851, he came to McLean Co., bringing with him $400 in money, and spent two years near Lexington, and then removed to the head of Mackinaw Grove; three years later, he settled on his present farm; his business during his residence in Illinois has been practicing medicine, farming and dealing in lands; among other methods, he purchased land-warrants, which he located in Iowa and Missouri; in this he was very successful, and he owned at one time, besides his home farm of 480 acres, over 1,200 acres of Western lands; he was also for many years successful in the stock business; he now owns a fine farm of 240 acres, extending along the entire front of which is a private roadway, lined for a mile on either side with a row of beautiful maples, planted by the Doctor, which in summer forms one of the most attractive drives to be found in the county. Dr. Payne, although repeatedly solicited to allow his name to be used in connection with official positions, has kept clear of politics. He has four sons living — Leland M. (of Money Creek Township), Carmel D., Wilber F. and Charles H.