My Genealogy Hound

Romulus Payne, farmer and citizen of Covington, and son of Bunyan and Nancy M. (Wright) Payne, was born in Tipton County, Tenn., in 1843. The father was of French-Irish lineage, and was born in Alabama in 1800. He was married three times, his third wife being the mother of our subject. To her he was married about 1841. He came to Tipton Co. about 1833, and settled in what is now Dist. No. 7, where he engaged in farming. He died about 1878. He was a man of considerable means, being one of the most extensive land holders in the county. The mother of our subject was born in 1822, and died December, 1883. She was a consistent member of the Presbyterian Church. Our subject was educated in the common schools of Tipton County, and at the age of seventeen enlisted in the Confederate Army in Company C, Ninth Tennessee Infantry, and was engaged in the following important battles: Shiloh, Perrysville, Murfreesboro, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Nashville, and a number of sharp skirmishes. At the end of four years he returned home, and engaged in the mercantile business. In 1869 he went to Arkansas, where he continued the mercantile business till 1885. He then returned to his native county, and purchased property near Covington, and has since been engaged in farming. September 20, 1872, he married Kate S. Beaver, a native of Arkansas, born in 1856, and a member of the Cumberland Presbyterian Church. To our subject and wife were born these children: Romulus G., Bunyan, Myrtle B., Mabel May, Rachel and Beaver B. In politics Mr. Payne is an ardent Democrat, and cast his first presidential vote for H Seymour.