Lewis Edwin PAYSON, Congress, IL (1840-1909)

PAYSON Lewis Edwin , a Representative from Illinois; born in Providence, R.I., September 17, 1840; moved with his parents to Illinois in 1852; attended the common schools and Lombard University, Galesburg, Ill.; studied law; was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Ottawa, Ill., in 1862; moved to Pontiac, Livingston County, Ill., in January 1865 and continued the practice of law; judge of the county court 1869-1873; elected as a Republican to the Forty-seventh and to the four succeeding Congresses (March 4, 1881-March 3, 1891); chairman, Committee on Public Lands (Fifty-first Congress); resumed the practice of law; died in Washington, D.C., October 4, 1909; interment in Rock Creek Cemetery.

Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present