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From the HISTORY OF ALLEGANY COUNTY VOL II

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES  Page 939

John Nelson Layman

 

John N. Layman, (deceased) for many years owner of the Walnut Level Farm, a handsome property lying one mile southeast of Frostburg, Allegany county, was one of the most prosperous farmers of this region, and ranked with the responsible citizens of the county by reason of his substantial achievements and undeniable work. Capable and reliable in the conduct of material affairs, he was equally dependable and true in the more personal relations of life, standing well as an agriculturist and high in the esteem of his fellow men wherever known.

The Laymans are an old Virginia family of German origin, George Layman, the grandfather of John M.[sic] Layman, having been born in Staunton. He was the father of seven children, namely: Daniel, who is deceased; John, also deceased; Catherine, wife of John McCormick, both deceased; and George W., Henrietta, Nancy and James, all deceased.

George W. Layman, father of John N. Layman, was born in Maryland, as was also his wife, Sallie (McCormick), whose family was of Scotch-Irish extraction. Mr. and Mrs. George W. Layman are both deceased. Their family consisted of thir­teen children, namely: Norman, deceased; Daniel B., deceased; Cordelia, wife of Gideon Mease, of Garrett county, Mary­land; Mary, deceased, widow of Frank McKinzie; Henrietta, wife of John Mc­Kinzie; Francis, deceased; William; Amanda, unmarried, who lives in West Virginia; John M.[sic]; Virginia, who married Isaac Sawyer, deceased; George, de­ceased; Minerva, widow of William Con­ners, of Frostburg; and Nancy, wife of Jacob Carry, of West Virginia.

John M.[sic] Layman was born February 1, 1846, at Pine Grove, Allegany (now Gar­rett) county, Maryland. He was reared on a farm, and had such educational ad­vantages as the old-fashioned pay schools of the vicinity afforded. His practical training was entirely in the line of agri­cultural work, and on July 3, 1869, he entered the service of Curtin M. Graham, then owner of the Walnut Level Farm, where the remainder of his life was passed. During the first ten years of his stay there he assisted Mr. Graham, the manage­ment of the property being turned over to him at the end of that period in recog­nition of his trustworthiness and ability, and he continued in the new capacity for twenty years, until he bought the place for himself in 1900. He acquired it from Sarah Wright, who had inherited it from the Grahams, and it then comprised a little over three hundred and fifty acres and was, as it is yet, one of the most valu­able and up-to-date agricultural estates in Allegany county. In 1907 Mr. Layman sold one hundred and seven acres to Wes­ley Lohr, receiving one hundred dollars an acre, and retained the remaining two hundred and forty-five in his home place, which is splendidly improved. It is gen­erally known as the old Wright farm. The residence is a fine old brick mansion, one of the most desirable in the county, con­taining twenty-one rooms, and has been kept in admirable condition.

Mr. Layman started life without any advantages of means, but his industry and other substantial qualities brought their reward, and he not only had the pleasure of becoming the owner of one of the best farming properties in his county, but also gained and held the respect of his associates in every walk of life. His excellent personal habits and good citizenship, neighborliness and honor­able dealings commanded the good will of all who came in contact with him. He died March 7, 1918.

In 1870 Mr. Layman was married to Miss Anna R. Facenbaker, of Allegany county, daughter of George Facenbaker, and four children were born to them: Sallie, who is now the wife of Jonas Durst, of Frostburg, Maryland, a furni­ture dealer and undertaker; Mary, un­married, who lives at home; Eugene, a mine foreman at Shaft, Maryland; and Susan, living at home. The mother died in 1877, and Mr. Layman subsequently married (second) her sister, Miss Mary L. Facenbaker, by which union there are three children: Marvin, who is a farmer and conducts a large dairy, married Sophia Youngerman, of Frostburg, and they have one child, John; [John] Horace is asso­ciated with his brother Marvin in the management of the home farm; Clara is unmarried and living at home.

Mr. Layman was a Protestant in his religious views. Politically he was an ardent Republican from the foundation of the party.

 

                

 

 Photos of a rare milk bottle from John Layman's Walnut Level Dairy,

(recently purchased by Genie, great-grand niece of John Nelson Layman)

 

 

 

 

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