Civil War Veteran

page 4 of the 6 Feb 1913 edition of the Marion Record newspaper

BENJAMIN PAYTON

Mr. Benjamin Payton, father of W. E. Payton, passed away on Friday of last week, Jan. 31, at his home four miles east of Burns, where he had lived for many years. He has been in poor health for a year or more and the end was not unexpected. He was conscious until within a few minutes of the end and met the last hour with the calm faith of a Christian. Always of a cheerful disposition, he did not lose his courage in the hour of death but went to his reward, expressing an assurance that "all is well" and speaking words of comfort and counsel for the loved ones who gathered about his bedside.
He was seventy years of age. He came to Kansas in 1879, homesteaded on the place where he died, and where he spent practically all of his life after coming to Kansas. The funeral service was held at the home on Sunday afternoon and was conducted by Rev. Hill of the U. B. church. Interment was made at Burns.
Mr. Payton had a remarkable soldier record. He served for four years and for eleven continuous months he was under fire, without relief. He was in the siege of Petersburg from June 17 to August 28, 1864, and then transferred to the scene of the operations against Richmond, where he joined the forces on August 29 and continued without interruption until the surrender on April 3, 1865. And then he was in many engagements prior to this - such as Rich Mountain, Greensbarre, Allegheny Mountain, Winchester, Malvern Hill, James' Ford, Carreville, Jackson, Walters' Junction, Valley Farm, Proctor's Creek, Gaines Farm, Cold Harbor. And the soldier career was continued in the sons, W. E. and three other sons having served in the Cuban and Philippine campaigns.
He is survived by the devoted wife and mother, one daughter and seven boys. His brother, Will Payton and wife live near his home.
He was universally esteemed in the community where he lived so many years and the memory of his fine life will be a heritage that will not fade.