Biographical Sketches

HON. MILTON J. PAYNE

The most interesting feature of biographical history is that which deals with the lives and characters of men who have through their own exertions risen to high positions. He whose name heads this sketch is an example of what can be attained through steady application, perserverance and industry, coupled with inherent ability. Hardship is the native soil of manhood and self-reliance, and the earnest desire of succeeding is almost always a prognostic of success. While Mr. Payne has steadily and persistently worked his way upward to a position of wealth, he has also been an important factor in the upbuilding of Kansas City and aided largely in promoting her material welfare. The benefactors of a city are those who advance her commercial activity, and with many of the leading business enterprises of Missouri's western metropolis he has been identified.

He is a native of Kentucky. He was born in Christian county, on the 29th of October, 1829, and is a son of Edward Payne, and a grandson of Rev. James Payne, who was a prominent minister of the Baptist church. The father died in 1840, leaving a family of 7 children to the care of the widowed mother who had but little for their support, the estate which her husband left being small. Milton was the second in order of birth. Realizing at the early age of 13 that his mother could not well provide for all her family he resolved to earn his own livelihood and sought her consent to enter a printing office in Hopkinsville, the county seat of Christian county. The permission being finally granted, he entered courgeously upon the work, and, with a resolute purpose that difficulties have failed to quell and upon which obstacles have had little effect, he pursued his labors in the daytime and in the evening gave his hours to study, under the direction of one of the school teachers of the town, who took a deep interest in the young lad thus trying to secure an education. Soon afterward he was offered a position in dry goods house, and, feeling that it would be more to his taste, and would offer wider fields for the development of business capabilities, he gladly accepted it. Here he quickly developed such business tact and energy that his services were eagerly sought by the other leading merchants of Hopkinsville, and for several years he was in the employ of A. Gant & Sons, the most extensive dry goods dealers of that town.

The discovery of gold in California, however, and the reports which he heard of the wonderful riches there to be secured, awakened in Mr. Payne a desire to try his fortune on the Pacific slope. Accordingly, in March, 1849, after visiting his mother, who had married again and removed to Illinois, he started for St. Louis, where he was to meet and join a part of friends from his old home who were also bound for the �new Eldorado.� Arriving at St. Louis he sought entertainment at the City Hotel, of which the well known and popular Theron Barnum was the proprietor, and the hose, taking a deep interest in the young stranger, on learning his destination, persuaded him to abandon his California trip, assuring him profitable employment if he would remain in St. Louis. He fulfilled his promise and obtained for Mr. Payne a position in one of the largest dry goods houses in the city, where he remained until October, 1850, when he relinquished it to accept a partnership in a dry goods and clothing house to be opened in Kansas City, which was then a frontier town, but was becoming a place of considerable importance as a trading point for the Indians and the residents of New Mexico and the southwest. The new venture, however, proved unprofitable, and the business was closed the following spring. Mr. Payne who had invested all his capital, was thus forced to begin business left anew, which he did as a salesman in the extensive dry goods house of Walker, Boyd & Chick, of Kansas City. For several years he remained with that firm, a most trusted and faithful employee, demonstrating beyond a doubt his superior business ability.

His worth was now being widely recognized, and in 1855 the reins of city government were placed in his hands. In June, 1855, he had been elected mayor, and so acceptably did he serve that by re-election he was continued in that office until 1862, with the exception of the years 1860 and 1861. The city was then in its early stages of development, and a capable business man at its head did more to direct and shape its policy and promote its growth than anything else could have done. Mr. Payne devoted his entire attention to its welfare, and made a close study of its growth, promoting every enterprise and interest which he believed calculated to improve it. Under his administration streets were first graded and macadamized, public buildings were erected and railway projects were kept constantly in view. It was during these years that the magnificent railway system now operated in the city had its origin. The city officials and the chamber of commerce were cooperating in splendid unity to advance the railroad projects, and he had the support of the people who recognized the efficiency of his practical and progressive administration conducted on straightforward and honorable business principles.

The political support of Mr. Payne has always been given to the democratic party. In early years he took an active part in politics, taking rank as a leader of ability and popularity. He was a great admirer of Stephen A. Douglas, and was a supporter of the war for the union. Ever loyal to his party, he has been prominent in advancing its interests, yet a strong opponent of the intrigues and wiles that are frequently practiced by modern politicians. In 1862, while serving as mayor, he was elected to the state legislature from Jackson county, and re-elected in 1864.

Two years later he went to the East in behalf of the railroad interests in this section of the country, and during his absence was nominated by his party for the office of state senator, and undoubtedly was elected, receiving a majority of the votes cast, but for alleged informality the returns from a township in Jackson county, which gave him a large majority, were thrown out by the canvassing board, which was politically opposed to him, and the certificate of election was given his opponent. Mr. Payne continued to take a lively part in politics after he was defeated by the canvassing board, but never again became a candidate for political office. At those congressional conventions of which he was a member he was solicited to accept the nomination as a compromise candidate. In each of these instances he was in the convention as the chosen manager of the interests of one of the candidates for nomination, and would not consent to the sacrifice of his friends, and by his steadfast loyalty was twice successful in procuring for his friends the nomination which he refused. As a member of the house of representatives he was active, successful and popular. To his efforts and ability are largely due the passage of a bill for the construction of the Missouri Pacific railroad to Kansas City. He was also champion of the bill which secured the building, to this city, of the western branch of the North Missouri Railroad, now the St. Louis, Kansas City & Wabash road. Realizing the importance of these �iron highways,� Mr. Payne has labored actively and efficiently in securing the establishment of various railroads through this section of the country. He has been the incorporator of several, and with time and money promoted these. He became one of the incorporators and stockholders of the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf Railroad, and successfully canvassed the border counties of Kansas, delivering many public addresses in favor of county subscriptions to its stock. He has witnessed a great transformation in the transportation lines of the country, and the public recognize the important part he has played in bringing this about.

In 1865 Mr. Payne was appointed one of the delegates to represent Kansas City at a conference held by the United States government with the southern Indians at Fort Smith, Arkansas, the purpose of which was to procure a clause in a proposed treaty for the restoration of governmental relations with those tribes and thus obtain the right of way through the Indian territory for the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Gulf Railway.

Other business enterprises which have largely promoted the upbuilding of the city and its material welfare, have received the support of Mr. Payne. On the organization of the Kansas City Gas Light & Coke Company in 1867, of which he was a promoter, and which supplied a want much felt by the progressive city, he became its president, and continued to serve in that capacity until the expiration of its charter in 1895. The Kansas City Gas Company then succeeded to its business and he is president of the latter. He occupies a similar position with the Union Cemetery Association. As his financial resources increased, he has made judicious investments in real estate, and now owns considerable valuable property. All has been acquired through his own efforts. Perseverance, honorable dealing, sound judgment and enterprise are the qualities which have entered into his success.

In 1852 Mr. Payne was united in marriage with Mary Adeline Prudhomme, the youngest child of Gabriel Prudhomme, who entered from the government the original side of Kansas City. Of their marriage were born 6 children, 4 yet living, Mrs. Payne, a very charitable lady, modest in manner, but possessed of very attractive qualities, died November 10, 1867. In February, 1892, our subject was again married, this union being with Mrs. Jeannie Chamberlin, widow of John C. Chamberlin, of Cincinnati, Ohio, who for many years was a prominent railroad man. The lady is a native of the sunny south, her father having been an extensive sugar planter of Louisiana. She was educated in one of the leading academies of that state, and is a most estimable, accomplished and lovable lady of fine literary attainments, who for some years has been a contributor to literary publications. She has a wide circle of friends through the south and in Kansas City, and presides with graceful dignity over the hospitable family mansion. She is liberal both in mind and purse, and her many works of charity have been a source of gratitude to numerous humble families of this city. Mr. Payne has also the faculty of readily winning friends, as he is an interesting and entertaining converationalist, a fluent and forcible talker. Holding an honored place in the ranks of Kansas City's prominent residents and upbuilders, this volume would be incomplete without the record of his life.

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This page was last updated August 2, 2006.