Oliver Hazard Payne
Encyclopedia
Oliver Hazard Payne was an American businessman, organizer of the American Tobacco trust, and assisted with the formation of U.S. Steel
, and was affiliated with Standard Oil
. He is considered one of the 100 wealthiest Americans, having left an enormous fortune. His estate at Esopus, New York
, known as the Col. Oliver Hazard Payne Estate
, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
in 2002 and is now the home of Marist College's Raymond A. Rich Institute for Leadership Development.
and Mary Perry, he graduated from Phillips Academy
Andover
in 1859, then studied at Yale University
. At the outbreak of the U.S. Civil War in 1861 he enlisted in the Union Army
, though he could have afforded to pay someone to go in his place. In 1863, he became colonel
of the 124th Ohio Infantry
. Upon the end of the war, he began his career, investing in iron and then oil refining. His oil interests were the first acquired by Standard Oil, and he became a trustee of that firm and acted as a lobbyist. He was charged with bribing members of the Ohio Legislature to attain a Senate seat for his father (before the U.S. Senate was directly elected), and with bribing the Democratic Party to name his brother-in-law United States Secretary of the Navy
, though the charges were dropped.
He was the uncle of Payne Whitney. He was also the uncle of Congresswoman Frances Payne Bolton (1885-1977). He was named for Oliver Hazard Perry
, a relative of his mother.
He is currently buried at the Lake View Cemetery, which is located in Cleveland, Ohio.
U.S. Steel
The United States Steel Corporation , more commonly known as U.S. Steel, is an integrated steel producer with major production operations in the United States, Canada, and Central Europe. The company is the world's tenth largest steel producer ranked by sales...
, and was affiliated with Standard Oil
Standard Oil
Standard Oil was a predominant American integrated oil producing, transporting, refining, and marketing company. Established in 1870 as a corporation in Ohio, it was the largest oil refiner in the world and operated as a major company trust and was one of the world's first and largest multinational...
. He is considered one of the 100 wealthiest Americans, having left an enormous fortune. His estate at Esopus, New York
Esopus, New York
Esopus is a town in Ulster County, New York, United States. The population was 9,331 at the 2000 census. The name comes from the local Indian tribe and means "high banks."...
, known as the Col. Oliver Hazard Payne Estate
Col. Oliver Hazard Payne Estate
Col. Oliver Hazard Payne Estate is a historic estate located at Esopus in Ulster County, New York. It is a massive Mediterranean palazzo with an open courtyard designed by Thomas Hastings of Carrere and Hastings in 1905. It is constructed of reinforced concrete and faced with Italian limestone...
, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 2002 and is now the home of Marist College's Raymond A. Rich Institute for Leadership Development.
Biography
The son of businessman-politician Henry B. PayneHenry B. Payne
Henry B. Payne was a Democratic politician from Ohio. He served in both houses of the United States Congress....
and Mary Perry, he graduated from Phillips Academy
Phillips Academy
Phillips Academy is a selective, co-educational independent boarding high school for boarding and day students in grades 9–12, along with a post-graduate year...
Andover
Andover
-Places:In the United Kingdom:* Andover, Hampshire, EnglandIn Canada:* Andover, New Brunswick* Perth-Andover, New BrunswickIn the United States:* Andover, California* Andover, Connecticut* Andover, Florida* Andover, Illinois* Andover, Iowa...
in 1859, then studied at Yale University
Yale University
Yale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
. At the outbreak of the U.S. Civil War in 1861 he enlisted in the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
, though he could have afforded to pay someone to go in his place. In 1863, he became colonel
Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, colonel is a senior field grade military officer rank just above the rank of lieutenant colonel and just below the rank of brigadier general...
of the 124th Ohio Infantry
124th Ohio Infantry
The 124th Ohio Volunteer Infantry was an infantry regiment in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Service:The 124th Ohio Infantry was organized in Cleveland, Ohio and mustered in for three years service on January 1, 1863 under the command of Colonel Oliver Hazard Payne.The regiment was...
. Upon the end of the war, he began his career, investing in iron and then oil refining. His oil interests were the first acquired by Standard Oil, and he became a trustee of that firm and acted as a lobbyist. He was charged with bribing members of the Ohio Legislature to attain a Senate seat for his father (before the U.S. Senate was directly elected), and with bribing the Democratic Party to name his brother-in-law United States Secretary of the Navy
United States Secretary of the Navy
The Secretary of the Navy of the United States of America is the head of the Department of the Navy, a component organization of the Department of Defense...
, though the charges were dropped.
He was the uncle of Payne Whitney. He was also the uncle of Congresswoman Frances Payne Bolton (1885-1977). He was named for Oliver Hazard Perry
Oliver Hazard Perry
United States Navy Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry was born in South Kingstown, Rhode Island , the son of USN Captain Christopher Raymond Perry and Sarah Wallace Alexander, a direct descendant of William Wallace...
, a relative of his mother.
He is currently buried at the Lake View Cemetery, which is located in Cleveland, Ohio.