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Eliseo Payán
Eliseo Payán
1st Vice President of Colombia
	In office; December 13, 1887 – February 8, 1888; Acting President: January 7 - June 4, 1887; December 12, 1889 - February 8, 1888
President	Rafael Núñez
Preceded by	Office established
Succeeded by	Miguel Antonio Caro
President of the Sovereign State of Cauca
	In office; August 1, 1883 – August 5, 1886
Preceded by	Ezequiel Hurtado
Succeeded by	Position abolished
	In office; April 22, 1879 – August 1, 1879
Preceded by	Modesto Garcés Garcés
Succeeded by	Ezequiel Hurtado
	In office; August 15, 1863 – August 15, 1867
Preceded by	Tomás Cipriano de Mosquera
Succeeded by	Julián Trujillo Largacha
Personal details
Born	José Eliseo Payán Hurtado; August 1, 1825; Cali, Cauca Valley, Colombia
Died	June 30, 1895 (aged 69); Buga, Cauca Valley, Colombia
Political party	Liberal
Spouse	Carmen Ospina Lenis
Occupation	Lawyer, journalist, soldier, politician
Military service
Allegiance	Colombia (Conservative Party)
Branch/service	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 (1884–1885)

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 because of the absence of President Rafael Núñez in 1887.^[1]

Early life

Payán was born in Santiago de Cali on August 1, 1825. Payán studied in the Colegio Santa Librada, in 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, El Sentimiento Democrático, with the help of Manuel Antonio Scarpetta and Ramón Mercado.

Military career

Payán joined 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 Congress of Colombia as the representative for Cauca.

President 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. He once again was called to replace President Núñez on December 13, 1882, to February 8, 1888, while the President recovered. During his control of the presidency, Payán decreed the absolute freedom of press in the nation, a 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.

Death

He died in Buga on June 30, 1895.^[1]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g Arismendi Posada, Ignacio; Gobernantes Colombianos, trans. Colombian Presidents; Interprint Editors Ltd., Italgraf, Segunda Edición; Page 127; Bogotá, Colombia; 1983