Albert Payne was born in Jackson townshiip, Clay county, indiana, December 26, 1855. His parents, Bennett and Ellen Payne, were among early settlers, coming to this county in 1829. Albert attended the public schools until he was fourteen years old and from that time until he was eighteen years of age drove a mule in a coal mine, devoting his spare time to study. By that means he qcuired an education fitting him for the position of a teacher in the school room, in which he was engaged until thirtyfour years of age, part of the time working on a farm and reading law at home as opportunity presented. In 1888 having been chosen Principal of one of the public schools of Brazil, Mr. Payne, moved to this city. In 1890 he resigned the position of Principal and having previously been admitted to the bar of the Circuit court, he formed a partnership with Robert Fisher which was dissolved in 1892, and actively entered in the practice of the law in which he has been remarkably successful. Mr. Payne has taken an active part in politics and in the counsels of the Republican party has made his influence felt by his firm stand for the conducting of campaigns on a high plane rather than resorting to trickery. In 1880 Albert Payne and Miss Emma A. Nivens of Perry township were united in marriage. Six children have been born to them, four are living, two have passed to the beyond. The family residence is a pretty and convenient home on the southwest corner of Walnut and Chestnut streets. Mr. Payne is a member of Brazil Lodge No, 264, F. and A. M., Brazil Chapter, No. 59, R. A. M., Wm. M. Black Chapter, No. 80, O. E. S., Brazil Council, No. 40, R. and S. M. and also of Terre Haute Commander No. 16, Knights Templar The Brazil Democrat December 1895 Brazil, IN Louis Holtman, Publisher