| Other People | Frank J. Bradley | Olive Rambo Cook | Jerry Litton | | |||
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Past and Present of Livingston County Volume 2. Biographies by Major A. J. Roof. 1913 |
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Page 234-237
Photo available
William E. Payton, cashier of the Exchange Bank of Chula and a man well and favorably known in financial circles of the city, was born at Lindley, Grundy county, October 21, 1869. He is a son of George W. and Mary A. (Cook) Payton, the former a native of Grundy county, who from 1866 to the time of his death was engaged in the grocery business there. He was a veteran of the Civil war, having served through practically the entire four years as a member of a Missouri regiment, and he later gave stanch support to the democratic party during the remainder of his life. He was postmaster under Cleveland and in many other ways took an active part in the public life of his native section. He died in 1909, at the age of sixty-eight, and is buried in Laredo, Missouri. He was a representative of one of the earliest pioneer families in Grundy county, his father having come to that section at a very early date.
William E. Payton acquired his education in the public schools of Laredo and laid aside his books at the age of eighteen, after which he assisted his father in the grocery store until he was twenty-two, He then purchased the Laredo Tribune and was its editor for three years, during which time he was also connected at intervals with the Commercial Bank. Later he gave his entire attention to this work, becoming bookkeeper and laying during the two years of his activity the firm foundations of his present success. When he left Laredo Mr. Payton went to Gault and there again became identified with journalism, purchasing a half interest in the Gault Herald. After one year he became a traveling solicitor, working in the interest of the country circulation of the Kansas City Star and resigning after five years in order to accept his present position is cashier of the Exchange Bark of Chula, an institution in which he is also a stockholder. He is known in banking circles as a shrewd, able and resourceful financier, of good business and executive ability, and he manages the important affairs under his charge ably, promoting the interests of the bank along safe and reliable but progressive lines.
Mr. Payton married, in Laredo, September 21, 1892, Miss Bessie Conrads, a daughter of Adolphus and Amanda Conrads, the former a pioneer in Grundy county. He died in 1880 and was survived by his wife until 1896, both being buried in the Laredo cemetery. Mr. and Mrs. Payton became the parents of a daughter, Fern A., who is a graduate of the Chula high school and now a student in Liberty Ladies' College.
Mr. Payton is a republican in his political beliefs and is intelligent and broad-minded in matters of citizenship, giving his hearty cooperation to progressive public movements. His life has been one of well directed activity, resulting in the attainment of a fair measure of success, and wherever he is known he is respected and esteemed by reason of his genuine personal worth.