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 ENRY C. LAYTON, of North Okaw Township, located on section 28, is a native of
Garrard County, Ky., where his birth took
place April 9, 1822. His family history in
its main points, is briefly as follows: Stephen Layton, the grandfather of our subject, was a native
of France, under whose sunny skies he remained
until reaching manhood, and was there married to
Miss Martha Anderson. He emigrated to the
United States in 1774, and settled in South Carolina two years previous to the breaking out of the Revolutionary War. In this he engaged, as did
his famous countryman, La Fayette, on the side of
the Colonies, fighting in their behalf until they had
secured their independence. He then returned to
his farming interests, and spent the remainder of
his life in the State that he had first selected for
his residence. His wife, the year following his
death, removed to Garrard County, Ky., accompanied by her three sons and four daughters. She
remained there the balance of her life, passing
away at the ripe old age of eighty-three years.
Her ten children were named respectively. James,
Annie, Elizabeth, Thomas, John, Stephen, Martha,
William, Lydia and Jennie. All of these, with the
exception of the two latter, became men and
women, and were all married. The parents were
people of the highest moral principles, and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church.Among the sons of Stephen and Martha Layton was William, who became the father of our subject. He was born in Spartanburg District, S. C., April 9, 1783, and received his education in the schools of his native county. He was quite young at the time of his father’s death, and removed with his mother to Garrard’ County, Ky., remaining with her while she lived. He was married in 1805, to Miss Mary A. Yator. This lady was born in Kentucky in 1787, and was the daughter of Henry and Nancy Yator, the former a native of Germany and the latter of Ireland; both are now deceased. After his marriage, William Layton followed boating on the Mississippi for about fourteen years, and then learned the trade of a stonemason. This he pursued several years, and then purchased a farm in Garrard County, upon which was a gristmill and a sawmill. These he operated several years, and then selling out, removed to Butler County, Ky.. where he continued farming until his accumulated years obliged him to abandon active labor. His death took place in March, 1866, when he was eighty-four years of age. The wife and mother had died thirty-three years before, March 14, 1833, while the family resided in Garrard County. The remains of both were laid to rest in the family burying-ground of her father. They were members of the Baptist Church. William Layton served in the War of 1812, receiving a Major’s commission, and participating in the battle of New Orleans. Their children, thirteen in number, were named respectively, Nancy, now deceased; Susan, Elizabeth, John J.; Henry C., of our sketch; Amanda, Margaret, James, Thomas, Mary A., Martha; William, who died young, and Abraham, who died in Tennessee in about 1808. Henry C. Layton received his education principally from his wife after they were married, his early advantages having been extremely limited. The country around his father’s homestead was thinly settled, and the nearest school-house was at least four miles distant, the path to it being marked by blazed trees. He remained a member of the parental household until twenty-four years of age, and was then united in marriage with Miss Martha J. Logan, the wedding taking place at the home of the bride, Dec. 3, 1844. Mrs. Logan was born in Garrard County, Ky., Sept. 29, 1827, and is the daughter of Hugh and Elizabeth (Layer) Logan, natives respectively of North Carolina and Virginia. Her paternal grandfather. Timothy Logan, went to Kentucky with Daniel Boone, of whom he was a close associate, and his nearest chum during the Revolutionary days. After his marriage Mr. Layton purchased land in Garrard County, upon which he operated until 1853, then sold out and moved to Macon County, Ill., in the fall of the year. There he purchased 150 acres of land, which he occupied thirteen years and then sold out, and with the proceeds came to this county and purchased 120 acres near Fuller’s Point in North Okaw Township. Here he resided eleven years and then leased the northeast quarter of section 28, of which he has since retained possession. He has brought about many improvements upon his later purchase, and has become one of the familiar figures of this section, whose place it would be difficult to supply. He and his estimable wife are members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and politically, Mr. L. uniformly upholds the principles of the Democratic party. He served as Assessor one term, and has been School Director a number of years. The thirteen children of our subject and his wife are recorded as follows: Elizabeth, born March 5, 1847, is the wife of Henry McDaniel, a resident of Nebraska; William T., born April 24, 1848, married Miss Lucy Ross, and is living in Coles County; Mary A., born Jan. 19, 1850, is the wife of Martin V. Ellis, of Gage County, Neb.; J. Hugh, born Sept. 24, 1851, married Miss Louisa Rightsell, and is living in Stoddard County, Mo.; John J., born May 31, 1853, died Sept. 12, 1854; James M., born May 14, 1855, died on the 24th of September following; Amanda, born April 4, 1857, died Dec. 6, 1858; Margaret A., born June 23, 1859, died Sept. 29, 1800; Laura, born June 4, 1802, is living with her parents; Frances M., born April 16, 1804, is a resident of Kansas; Andrew J., born May 31, 1800, is at home; Louis C., born April 16, 1808, died in July following; Charles was born Oct. 27, 1869. Stephen and William Layton, the grandfather and great uncle of our subject, were the only members of their family who came to the United States. They both settled in South Carolina, but William, becoming dissatisfied, started for Vermont, and was never afterward heard from. |
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