Payson was laid out in the Spring of 1835. During the 1860 presidential campaign, the residents of Payson erected a pole on which they hung banners supporting the Democratic candidate, Stephen Douglas, and an effigy of Abraham Lincolnriding a rail. This resulted in two confrontations with the QuincyWide Awakes, the Republican para-military organization, on August 25–26, 1860. During the second confrontation, shots were fired at the Wide Awakes, resulting in injuries. This action was related to the "Stone's Prairie Riot" at nearby Plainville.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, Payson has a total area of, all land.
Demographics
At the 2000 census there were 1,066 people, 389 households, and 289 families in the village. The population density was 929.4 people per square mile. There were 409 housing units at an average density of 356.6 per square mile. The racial makeup of the village was 98.78% White, 0.09% African American, 0.09% Pacific Islander, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.56%. Of the 389 households 39.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.2% were married couplesliving together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.7% were non-families. 22.6% of households were one person and 13.1% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.24. The age distribution was 29.9% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 31.1% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% 65 or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males. The median household income was $37,321 and the median family income was $40,789. Males had a median income of $30,880 versus $20,231 for females. The per capita income for the village was $14,541. About 7.1% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.6% of those under age 18 and 12.2% of those age 65 or over. Public education is provided at Payson-Seymour Elementary School and Payson-Seymour High School.
