Hamilton Montgomery Payne was born in Catlin on September 2, 1833 to William Milton Payne and Eliza Hamilton Payne. He wasn't active in the Masonic Lodge as his father and grandfather had been, but was a part of the Grange of the Patrons of Heraldry in Catlin.

June 27, 1850 he married the daughter of Noah and Lury Guymon, Mary Helen Guymon. They had four children: Galen, who died in infancy, Noah Milton, Jessie Louise and Lura E. Payne (nicknamed Lyde).

After 30 years of marriage, he left farming and Mary Helen. There is a marriage license for Hamilton M. Payne and Anna Shipps registered December 29, 1879. The following year "Gum" as he was called went to Montana to be a prospector. Anna Payne and infant Turner Payne are listed in the 1880 Montana census. By the 1900 census Gum is listed as a widower.