Eliseo Payán

This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Payán and the second or maternal family name is Hurtado.
Eliseo Payán
1st Vice President of Colombia
In office
December 13, 1887  February 8, 1888
President Rafael Núñez
Preceded by Office created
Succeeded by Miguel Antonio Caro
11th President of the Sovereign State of Cauca
In office
August 1, 1883  August 5, 1886
Preceded by Ezequiel Hurtado
Succeeded by Office abolished
9th President of the Sovereign State of Cauca
In office
April 22, 1879  August 1, 1879
Preceded by Modesto Garcés Garcés
Succeeded by Ezequiel Hurtado
2nd President of the Sovereign State of Cauca
In office
August 15, 1863  August 15, 1867
Preceded by Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera
Succeeded by Julián Trujillo Largacha
Personal details
Born Eliseo Payán Hurtado
August 1, 1825
Cali, Valle del Cauca Department, Colombia
Died June 30, 1895 (aged 69)
Buga, Cauca, Colombia
Nationality Colombian
Political party Liberal
Spouse(s) Carmen Ospina Lenis
Occupation Lawyer, journalist, soldier, politician
Religion Roman Catholic
Military service
Allegiance Colombia (Conservative Party)
Service/branch National Army of Colombia
Rank General
Battles/wars War of the Supremes
Colombian Civil War (1860–1862)
Colombian Civil War of 1876
Colombian Civil War of 1885

José Eliseo Payán Hurtado (August 1, 1825 June 30, 1895) was a Colombian lawyer, politician, and military officer. Payán as Vice President of Colombia assumed the Presidency of Colombia due to the absence of President Rafael Núñez in 1887.[1]

Biographic data

Payán was born in Cali, on August 1, 1825. He died in Buga, on June 30, 1895.[1]

Early life

Payán studied in the Colegio Santa Libarda in Santiago de Cali, and later graduated as a lawyer,[1] profession he practiced mostly in the city of Buga along with commerce and other administrative jobs. He also founded the Democratic Society of Buga and produced a newspaper called "El Sentimiento Democrático" with the help of Manuel Antonio Scarpetta and Ramón Mercado.

Military career

Payán enlisted in the army, and most of the time was under the orders of liberal commanders. In 1840, Payán participated in the War of the Supremes under the command of General José María Obando, fighting against the army of President José Ignacio de Márquez. Later, in 1854, he joined the army of José Hilario López in the battles against José María Melo.[1]

Payán became a General in the army and participated in the Colombian Civil War of 1860–1862 supporting General Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera against the legitimate and constitutional government of conservative President Mariano Ospina Rodríguez.[1]

General Payán intervened in the Colombian Civil War of 1876 to defend the government of Aquileo Parra. At the battle of “Los Chancos” he was taken prisoner by the conservative forces.[1] General Julián Trujillo, commander of the Caucan Army, appointed him brigadier of a revolutionary division. He was able to confront and defeat the conservative forces in Antioquia, at the Battle of Batero.

In 1879 he organized an army to topple the president of the State of Cauca. Governor Garcés was deposed and Payan gave control to a civilian, Ezequiel Hurtado, who was then elected as President of the State of Cauca.

In 1885, Payán joins the forces of conservative President Rafael Núñez in the civil war against the liberal rebels. After the war, Núñez appoints him as Minister of War.[1]

Political career

After the war Payán began his political career in the Provincial Chamber of Cauca, where he became known for his oratory skills. Between 1854 and 1855 Payán served in the National Congress as representative for Cauca.

Presidente of Colombia

After being re-elected President of Cauca, Payán who had also being elected Vice President of Colombia, had to resign his post in Cauca to replace the ailing sitting President Núñez. He assumed office on January 6, 1887 and served as president until June 4 of the same year. He once again was called to replace President Núñez on December 13, of 1882 until February 8, 1888 while the President recuperated. During his control of the presidency Payán decreed absolute freedom of press in the nation, policy that created great controversy, which forced him to resign as Vice President after the constant struggles with his opponents in Congress and the President himself.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Arismendi Posada, Ignacio; Gobernantes Colombianos, trans. Colombian Presidents; Interprint Editors Ltd., Italgraf, Segunda Edición; Page 127; Bogotá, Colombia; 1983

External links