In the "Payson Advisor", Nov, 18,1981 it reports "that the people of Union Park should contact Senator Payson of Chicago and see if the town could get a post office." Later on the article states "the Postmaster General arranged for a post office to be opened at Union Park on March 3, 1882. the thankful citizens called the post office "Payson" and agreed the town should be given the same name to avoid confusion. the Senator never saw Payson, AZ or Payson, UT, both named in his honor."

I could not find a Senator Payson from IL but did find a Rep. Lewis E. Payson, Republican in the House of Representatives from Pontiac, IL.

In another article taken from the Northern Gila County Genealogical Society, Inc for which there were no cites, it identifies "Senator Payson" as the "chairman of the congressional committee on Post Offices and Post Roads."

I would be curious to know if Rep Payson was the chair of the above committee or not? But it does seem apparent that the literature from Payson, AZ and wikipedia is incorrect. I would like other's knowledge on the above.