At left, Jesse in his younger days. At right, Jesse is holding his daughter, Shirley Jean Payne. Jesse Americus Payne was born 2 March 1887 in Marion Co., IL and died 2 May 1946 in Idaho. He was the son of Margaret Ida Payne born in 1863 in Marion Co., IL and Americus Vespucci Finley born in 1853 and died in 1924.

Jesse was the grandson of Robert Payne born in 1783, and died about 1857 Sumner Co., TN and Sarah C. Beard born 1792 in Sumner Co., TN, died in 1861 in Sumner Co., TN.