New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-10-05
Mr.. PAYNE,S CAREER.
End of a Life of Widely Varied
Activities.

Henry Clay Payne Postmaster General since
January. 1902, was born at Ashheld Mass, On
November q, 1913. Of Puritan ancestry. His
education was received az the SheIburue Falls
Academy, where he was graduated IN 1853 He
began his business career AZ Northampton
Mass When the Civil War broke out he offered
his services 70 his country. but by reason OF
diniuutive stature he vas not admitted 70 the
army. IN 1863 he went to Milwaukee, with the
sum Of $50 in his pocket. For the first few
years Of his residence in Milwaukee he was
employed in a drygoods store as salesman, hut
soon won the favor OF his superiors by diligence,
tact and sagacity He made acquaintances
rapidly, possessed literary taste and contributed
greatly 70 the success OF the Young Mems Ii
orary Association, o. which IN time he became
president. Under his lead IL became one Of the
leading social and intellectual organizations in
the state. In 1872 he took an active part in
politics. and devoted his energies TO organizing
me Young Mems Republican Club OF Milwaukee
In 1876 ne was made postmaster OF Milwaukee.
and held the once for ten years. In 1850 he be-
came president OF the Wisconsin Telephone
Company and n 1883 president Of the Milwau-
kee City Railroad Company and the Cream City
Railroad Company. He was instrumental IN
securing the consolidation Of all the street rail-.
ways Of the city, and became president of the
corporation controlling them. the Milwaukee
Electric Railway and Light Company. In 1898
ne was president OF the American Street Rail-
way Association. From 1898 to 1895 he was one
o. the receivers Of the Northern Pacific Railroad
Company
Mr. Payne was one OF the founders OF the
Town OF Ionahawk, Wis. which IN three years
grew from q wilderness into 2 city NJ seven thou,
sana tnhe bitants. He was a trustee and direc-
TOT o. The towns OF Minocqua and Babcock both
in me timber belt Of Wisconsin He was a di-
rector IN The TomahaWk Land ard Boom Com
P4hy. which built the Tomahawk Dam. costing
$4,000 in the lumber country.
HIS ENTRY INTO POLITICS.
Il was IN the Grant-Greeley campaign OF 1872
Nlst Af. Payne began his career OF poIfticai
-cuNlty He was leader IN the organization Of
ne Young Mems Republican Club which later
SDsesne The Republican Central Committee OF
-Lu"aukee County which has been the official
karty organization 20 the present dav MT
Eayne Occupied the positions OF president ard
secretary Al different times during the sIiStor-re
o. these clubs. till he was chosen chairrnsn os
M stare Republican Central COMMITTEES The
SiI - 80 9uasment shown by Mr.. Payne in
al ms political deliberations soon ulsce5 49,,
among the most skilful Republican sdytSars 'i ns
ne state In 1876 Mr. Payne was enDoi5,s5
bostnlaster OF Milwaukee by President CsTart
ana ne was reappointed by Presiderts s-. IllI.
IL 15ss-s- n the ten years which Mr. PAYNE
-. 80 - postmaster the conduct Of HIS once
- Hiosl satisfactory. and the citizens ~ an
PoItcai creeds acknowledged the efFicienc,, ~
progressive spirit OF the federal service I,ndsr
MS administration, and he left the of7ce -,;tL
upon his duties AZ eiAl-teU
Ar; Payne was elected a delega,e-at-ra-,. 20
the Republican National Conventfoy, 20 51ese
~ "a ~ AoS@ headed the Wisconsin delegation 10
re minneapolis convention which Nominated
~ ~ ~. AlsIIlson: he was also elected mem
81 oi the Republican National COMMITTEE for
15 - Slate OF wisconsin. and q member Of the
, stPIDHCah Nati0nal Executive Committee.
~hich consisted Of seven members sS -',o-,
=. - ~ me executive committee he was delegated
- e INTO the States OF Montana washington
- Inc Lakotas 70 protect the interests OF the
k1tty- The contest IN Montana was eguecially
- 800 % out. after devoting two months OF tire-
L1taed with eight Republican Senators and re-
,. ..su ne unqualified thanks OF tie Republican
party Tor ais splendid vlcfnrV
- again delegate 70 the ReuubiicaD National
- eAtlnn ln les'1, he worked actively FOR the
~'i1'4nation % AeElnley ana Hobart, and was