Background
Payne, Sereno Elisha was born on June 26, 1843 in Hamilton, New York, United States. Son of William Wallace and Betsy (Sears) Payne.
Payne, Sereno Elisha was born on June 26, 1843 in Hamilton, New York, United States. Son of William Wallace and Betsy (Sears) Payne.
Bachelor of Arts, University of Rochester, 1864. (Doctor of Laws, Colgate, 1902, University of Rochester, 1903).
In practice at Auburn, since 1866. Senior member Payne, Payne & Clark, since 1908. City clerk, 1868-1871.
Supervisor, 1871-1872.
District attorney Cayuga Company, 1873-1879. President of the board of education Auburn, New York, 1879-1882.
Member 48th Congress (1883-1885), 26th New York District, 49th Congress (1885-1887), 27th District, 51st to 62d Congresses (1889-1913), 31st District, and 63d Congress (1913-1915), 36th District Chairman Committee on Ways and Means, 1899-1910. Was active in framing McKinley and Dingley Tariff laws.
Author of the Payne Tariff Bill, 1909.
Member High Joint Commission to negotiate treaty with Canada, 1898.
Married Gertrude Knapp, April.