Transcribed by Denise McLoughlin
Tampico Area Historical Society
www.tampicohistoricalsociety.citymax.com

Page 461

Charles H. PAYSON

Charles H. PAYSON, deceased, was for many years one of the best known and most highly esteemed citizens of Rock Falls, with whose industrial and business interests he was prominently identified. He was born in Ulster, Bradford county, Pennsylvania, June 14, 1819, and was a son of William and Betsy (CRANSE) PAYSON, natives of Connecticut and Pennsylvania, respectively. He was the second in order of bith in their family of six hildren, only two of whomare now living. William C., a farmer byoccupation, died in Missouri; Emily is the widow of John OWENS, of Towanda, Pennsylvania, and has six children, three children by her first husband, Peter OSBORNE; Sarah is the wife of Lewis ILETTE, a retired carpenter of Chicago, and they have two children Emily and William; and Edward is a retired farmer of Owego, New York.

Our subject was reared and educated in Waverly, New York, and there he was married, August 15, 1848, to Miss Mary A. RUSSELL, a daughter of Jacob H. and Polly (DUNN) RUSSELL, of Pennsylvania. Her father, a harness maker by trade, was born in 1796, and died in Factoryville, New York, August 28, 1872, and her mother was born in Pennsylvania, April 12, 1802, and also died in Factoryville, in February, 1842. In their family were six children, two of whom besides Mrs. PAYSON are now living. They were as follows: Jacob P., born in 1823, lives in Nebraska. John Q., born October 29, 1828, died in Milledgeville, Illinois, January 1, 1898. He married Emeline JOHNSON, and to them were born four children, Leila, Walter, Mary and Emilo. Elizabeth A., born August 25, 1839, is the wife of T. Jefferson SMITH, an express messenger of Antioch, Illinois. Charles H., born July 9, 1834, followed the trade of a harness maker and died June 18, 1855, unmarried.

To Mr. and Mrs. PAYSON were born the following children: Charles Edgar, born January 21, 1850, is a machinist in Chicago. He is married and has six children living, and one deceased. Harry E., born September 3, 1853, is engaged in the cigar and tobacco business in Chicago and is also a telegraph operator. He was married, October 18, 1882, to Mertie M. SAWYER, of that city. Lizze E. wife of Hon. J. W. WHITE, a prominent attorney of Rock Falls, was born October 23, 1854, and died January 30, 1893, leaving three children all born in Rock Falls, namely: Mary Bessie, Leo PAYSON and Ralph M. Frank R, born April 19, 1862, is a fireman living in Mankato, Minnesota.

After his marriage, Mr. PAYSON continued to reside in New York state for a number of years four of his children being born there. He carried on business as a carriage manufacturer in New York until February 22, 1865, when he came west and first located in Sterling, Illinois, but a year later removed to Rock Falls, where the family still reside, occupying one of the finest homes in the city, which was erected by our subject soon after locating here. He became one of the most prominent busienss men of the city, and was extensively engaged in the manufacture of carriages for many years.

His death, which occurred September 7, 1893, was the result of a cancer, complicated with other diseases, from which he had suffered from 1882. He was a man of influence and stood high in the community where he had so long made his home. He was widely known and very popular with every one. He was noted for his strict integrity and incorruptible honor, and though he was never a member of any church he was a regular attendant of the Methodist church and a close follower of the priciples of morality. In all the relations of life he was found true to every trust reposed in him, and it is safe to say that no man in Rock Falls had more friends or was more highly respected than Charles H. PAYSON.