Portrait and biographical record of Christian County, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and   representative citizens, together with biographies of all the Governors of the state, and of the Presidents of the United States.  Chicago, Ill. : Lake City Pub. Co., 1893.  Transcribed and annotated by Judy Rosella Edwards, 2007.

FREDERICK PAYNE, who is now making his home in Palmer, is retired from business life, enjoying a well-earned rest after years of industrious effort in the battle of life. He is a veteran of the late Civil War, and in times peace as well as in the hour of his country's need has been a patriotic citizen. He was born in Girard County, Ky. [ed., Garrard County, Ky.], February 1, 1826, being a son Robert and Sarah (Stipe) Payne, who were both natives of the Blue Grass State. The paternal grandfather of our subject, Ambrose Payne, came to America at the time of the Revolutionary War, soon after the close of when he settled in Kentucky, and there reared his large family. His death occurred when he was still the prime of life. Frederick Stipe, the maternal grandfather, was a native of Scotland. On coming to America, he went to Indiana, where made his home for some years, engaged in agricultural pursuits. In later years he removed to Kentucky, where he lived to a good old age. The life occupation of Robert Payne was that of a farmer, and most of his years were spent Kentucky. In early life he lived for four years in Indiana, but returned to his native State. In 1850 he removed with his family to Illinois, and made a settlement in Christian County, on Bear Creek, in the township of the same name. Then he bought and carried on a farm of one hundred acres. He did not long survive his removal, as he died July 24, 1851, aged fifty-one years. His wife died a few days later, on the 3d of August. They were members of the Baptist Church, in which Mr. Payne was an officer. Our subject is one of a large family which consisted of five sons and eight daughters. Only three of the number are now living. Kittie Jane is the wife of William T. Fulcher, of Mattoon, Ill.; and Martha Susan is the wife of Frank Hay, of Indianapolis, Ind. The boyhood of Frederick Payne was passed in Kentucky, and with his parents he removed to Illinois in 1850. Since that time he has been a resident of this county with he exception of one year spent in Montgomery County. His early education was received in the old-fashioned subscription schools of the day. Wild game was then abundant in this region, and frequently deer, wolves and wild turkeys fell before his unerring aim. He resided with his parents until reaching man's estate. His farm comprises one hundred and ninety-three acres of good land, a part of which is in the corporate limits of the town. Mr. Payne also owns other desirable village properly and has acquired a competence for old age. On the llth of September, 1846, Mr. Payne was united in marriage with Miss Mary Ann Bell, a daughter of Lewis and Elizabeth (Allen) Bell, of Kentucky. By this union three sons and two daughers were born, who are in order of birth as follows: Lewis F., now deceased; Robert; Sarah E. and Willis M.. also deceased; and Mary Jane. Robert married Miss Mary J. Compton, and has two children, Emma and Robert. Mary Jane, who became the wife of Thomas Bradley, of Palmer, is the mother of eight children, as follows: Lillie Belle, Edith Ann, Frederick, Clara F., James, Minnie May, Hiram and Eva. For a number of years Mr. and Mrs. Payne were members of the Baptist Church, but of late years have been identified with the Christian Adventist Church. In politics, our subject is a Republican and served for one year as Justice of the Peace. During the War of the Rebellion he went to the defense of the Union, his name being enrolled as a member of Company G, Fifth Missouri Cavalry.  He served for three years and six weeks, taking part in a number of important skirmishes and battles, and was sent in the raid after Gen. Price. He is now a member of the Grand Army of the Republic.

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