Lewis Layman

 

SOURCE: "Portrait and Biographical Album of Champaign County, Illinois," Chapman Brothers, Chicago, 1887
SURNAMES: DUFF, KRETSINGER, LAYMAN, PENNEY

LEWIS LAYMAN. On the northeast quarter of section 21, in Condit Township, lies one of the neatest farms in this county, which its present proprietor, the subject of our sketch, transformed from a tract of wild prairie into its present valuable condition and made it a pleasant spot which invariably attracts the eye of the passerby. Mr. Layman located upon his land in 1870, at the time of starting out in life for himself, and just after he had been united with his chosen partner and helpmeet, who has remained his faithful and affectionate companion since that time. Since the establishment of this household the number of its members has been increased by the birth of five bright children, namely, George; Rieffy was born Aug. 8, 1874, and died Sept. 18, 1885; Fred, Bertie and Frank. The elder of these have assisted their parents in building up the home and beautifying it and there is presented the picture of a happy family, enjoying the society of each other and the respect of their neighbors and many friends. Mr. L. has been fairly successful in his farming and business operations and has been enabled to surround himself and family with all the necessaries of life and many of its luxuries. His course as a citizen and business man has been worthy of imitation, as he has been straightforward in his dealings and accumulated his capital by the exercise of his own industry.

The subject of this history was born in Mason County, this State, April 2, 1850. His father, Henry Layman, a native of Shenandoah County, Va., grew to manhood his his native State and learned the cabinet-marker’s trade, at which he worked in Virginia, Ohio and Indiana. He removed from the latter State to Illinois in the spring of 1845, and purchasing a farm in Mason County turned his attention to agricultural pursuits. After a residence there of about twenty years he sold out his interests and, in 1865, purchased another farm in Logan County, above five miles from the town limits of Lincoln, where he spent the remainder of his days, his decease occurring in 1868. The mother of our subject before her marriage was Miss Elizabeth KRETSINGER, also a native of the Old Dominion.

Of the nine children comprising the parental household our subject was next to the youngest, and was fifteen years old when his parents became residents of Logan County. He continued under the home roof until his marriage, in the meantime receiving excellent home training and a common-school education. He then marked out his plans for the future, which he has persistently followed with success. Mr. L. attached himself to the Methodist Episcopal Church at an early age and is a devoted Christian.

Politically Mr. L. was a Republican, but is a stanch advocate of prohibition, and in the last presidential campaign gave his support to St. John. The wife of our subject, to whom he was married in September, 1870, was formerly Miss Sarah C. PENNY, a native of Sangamon County, Ill., and daughter of William Graham and Eleanor (DUFF) PENNY. The parents of Mrs. L. were natives of Ohio and Kentucky, whence they afterward removed to Sangamon County, Ill. Both are now dead. Mrs. L.’s father died in the service of his country at Little Rock, Ark.