Ichabod Payne

Ichabod Payne

Submitted by Robert Kingrey
Source unknown

Ichabod Payne (I.B.) was a prominent and influential citizen and a representative of one of the oldest families in Vienna Township. His father, Solomon Payne, was a native of, Dutchess County, New York, and was born on August 23, 1782.

He was married to Polly Gates and removed to the Reserve, having purchased the farm which Solomon Wheeler had made one of the first settlements in the township. Dortha Gates, Mrs. Payne’s mother, at the time of her death, January 7, 1855, was the oldest person in the county, being in her centennial year. 

Solomon Payne died on October 22, 1857. Polly Payne, his wife, died on April 24, 1862, in her seventy-second year.

The family consisted of seven children; David R., settled in Lawrence County, Ohio; Almon L.; settled in Jefferson County, Indiana; Charlotte was married to Benjamin Brainard, who lived in Gustavus township; Elihu R. settled in Jefferson county, Indiana; Sally L. was married to Alfred Russell, and is the only one living- her home is at Clear Point, Ashtabula county; Theophilus G. settled in Jefferson county, Indiana; Ichabod B.; the youngest son who grew up to maturity, was born in Vienna township, February 18, 1824; he attended the district school till his eighteenth year and then began teaching; he taught about twenty terms in Brookfield, Weathersfield, Hartford, and Vienna townships.

As a teacher, he was held in high regard wherever known. Large and dignified, he governed a school with ease, and long practice made him efficient in giving instruction.

Mr. Payne married on December 18, 1848, to Betsy Jane Vinton. She was the daughter of John and Sally Vinton and was born on March 10, 1826. Her parents removed to Brookfield Township from Rochester, New York.

They had ten children, seven girls, and three boys, seven of whom are living: Mary (Alderman), deceased; Elcena (Miner), resident of Bloomfield; Hiram, Mercer county, Pa.; Betsy Jane (Payne); Aaron, Vienna; Elmira (Roy), Mercer county, PA.; Eliza (Snyder), Hartford; Harriet, died single; Arnitha (Seaborn), deceased; Homer resides in Brookfield. John Vinton was born on August 7, 1794; he married Sally Madison on January 13, 1820. She was born June 30, 1801, and still resides in Vienna.

Ichabod Payne was chosen from time to time to fill several offices of his township, being justice of the peace for several terms. In 1867 the Republican county convention placed him in nomination for county commissioner, an office to which he was elected, and again re-elected in 1869. He took to the office good business talent and gave close and conscientious attention to public affairs.

During the war, Mr. Payne took an active part in the recruiting service, and when Cincinnati was threatened by Kirby Smith with a strong rebel force, he hurried to the danger point in obedience to the call of Governor Todd, being one of that unorganized force known as “squirrel hunters.” He contributed considerable time and money to clear the township of the draft, and altogether his record was highly creditable.

In politics, Mr. Payne was an active and working Republican and in religion was a Disciple. His connection with that denomination covered a period of twenty-two years. In appearance he was striking, being six feet four and a half inches tall, and well proportioned, having an average weight of two hundred and fifty pounds.

He was always industrious, painstaking, and reliable in everything in which he engaged, whether private or public affairs. He left at his death the record of an honorable life a competence for his family.

The family of I. B. and Mrs. Payne consists of four children – Jerusha P., wife of Benton Williams; Almon W., married to Rilla Card and lives in Vienna; Ellen G. and Cornel M.

Mrs. Payne lives on the old homestead at Payne’s corners, a place thus named on account of the prominence of this family.