Allen J. Payton

Allen J. Payton
Member of the Indiana State Assembly from the Spencer County, Indiana district
Personal details
Born	circa 1861-62 Indiana, U.S.
Died	1917 (aged 54–55) Evansville, Indiana, U.S.
Nationality	American
Residence(s)	Rockport, Indiana, U.S.
Occupation	Farmer
[1]

Allen J. Payton (March 7, 1861–March 1, 1917) was an American farmer and politician. He represented Spencer County in the Indiana General Assembly.

Early life and education

Allen J. Payton was born in Indiana March 7, 1861.[1]

Career and life

Payton worked as a farmer. He operated a farm in Luce Township, Indiana in 1880. On June 3, 1881, he married Anna Stevenson. The couple would go on to have five children.[1]

Life in politics

Payton ran for the Indiana General Assembly, to represent Spencer County, in the 1888 election, running against Benjamin B. Brown. Payton won the election after an investigation into voter fraud.[1][2]

Later life

Around 1900, Payton served on a committee to place historical markers at select sites in Spencer County where Abraham Lincoln or his family resided or spent time.[3]

By 1910, Payton was serving on the board of the Independent Telephone Association.[4] Payton died in Evansville, Indiana on March 1, 1917.[1]

Legacy

A collection of Payton's letters are held in the collection of the Indiana State Library.[1]

References

1. Gellert, Linda (15 March 2015). "Collection: Allen J. Payton letters". Indiana State Library Manuscripts Catalog. Indiana State Library. Retrieved 13 April 2020.
2. Emmis Communications (September 2001). Indianapolis Monthly. Emmis Communications. p. 86.
3. Ehrmann, Bess Virginia Hicks; Southwestern Indiana Historical Society, Evansville (1938). The missing chapter in the life of Abraham Lincoln; a number of articles, episodes, photographs, pen and ink sketches concerning the life of Abraham Lincoln in Spencer County, Indiana, between 1816-1830 and 1844. Chicago, Ill., W.M. Hill.
4. "Phone men to meet in South Bend in 1910". The South Bend Tribune. Newspapers.com. 14 May 1909. p. 1. Retrieved 13 April 2020.