Lewis E. Payson

Lewis Edwin Payson (September 17, 1840 – October 4, 1909) was a U.S. representative from Illinois.

Biography Born in Providence, Rhode Island, Payson moved with his parents to Illinois in 1852. He attended the common schools and Lombard University, Galesburg, Illinois. After concluding his law studies, he was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Ottawa, Illinois in 1862. He moved to Pontiac, Illinois, in January 1865 and continued the practice of law. He served as judge of the county court 1869-1873.

Payson was elected as a Republican to the Forty-seventh and to the four succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1881 – March 3, 1891). He served as chairman of the Committee on Public Lands (Fifty-first Congress). He resumed the practice of law.

Death Payson died in Washington, D.C., October 4, 1909 and was interred in Rock Creek Cemetery.

Legacy A number of towns are named after Lewis Payson including Payson, Arizona, and Payson, Utah.