My Genealogy Hound

MELYN M. LAYTON. Among those whose names are held in kindly remembrance by a large number of the people of Clark County, may be properly mentioned the subject of this notice, who was born in this county August 8, 1806, and who departed this life at his home in Moorefield Township, December 25, 1887. While perhaps not the hero of any thrilling event, he pursued the even tenor of his way as an honest man and a good citizen and left to his children the heritage of an untarnished name. By a course of industry and prudence he accumulated a comfortable property, leaving to his widow seventy-four acres of choice land, where she is spending her declining years amid all the surroundings calculated to smooth her pathway down the sunset hill of life.

The subject of this notice was the son of John and Elizabeth Layton, who were natives respectively of Virginia and New Jersey. A brother of Melyn M. became a prominent man in the affairs of Clark County and was the first Judge of the county court. John Layton came to this county at an early day, being numbered among its earliest pioneers. He took up a tract of Government land from which he opened up a good farm and there spent the remainder of his days. Young Layton remained a member of the parental household until reaching manhood and made good use of his time in school, acquiring a fair education and availing himself of the instruction of good books, also keeping himself posted upon current events by the reading of the weekly newspaper. He chose farming for his occupation and was content to follow this all his life.

Mr. Layton was twice married, his first wife being Miss Hattie Braughton, of Clark County. She became the mother of nine children, eight of whom are now living: Erastis, Doane, Thomas, Susan, now Mrs. Goodfellow; Cordilia, Mrs. Hawks; Mary A., Mrs. Light; Matildia, Mrs. William S. Thompson, and Martha, Mrs. Marquart. Mr. Layton was married the second time on November 12, 1850 to Miss Mary Scorse. This lady was born in Berkely County, Va., May 6, 1823, and was the daughter of William and Catherine Scorse, the father a native of Baltimore, Md., and the mother of Berkely County, Va. On her father’s side Mrs. Layton is of Scotch-Irish ancestry while her mother’s family originated in Germany. Of her union with our subject there was born a family of six children, only two of whom are living: Hattie, the wife of William Wentworth, who resides with her mother, and Scott who is living at home with his mother. The deceased are Homer, Clarence B., Lillie, and a son who died in infancy.

After their marriage Mr. and Mrs. Layton first settled in Mad River Township, near the stream of that name, and resided there fourteen years. They then removed to a point called Silver Lake, one and one-half miles west of New Carlisle and remained there twelve years. Their next move was on a farm in Pike Township, where they lived six and one- half years. Their next removal was to the farm now owned and occupied by Mrs. Layton. Upon this they effected many improvements and while laboring for the material welfare of his family, Mr. Layton, also by his integrity of character, established himself in the esteem and confidence of his fellowmen. He was especially the friend of temperance and illustrated in his own life the principles which he professed. Politically, he was a sound Republican and a warm defender of the principles of his party.

Mrs. Layton’s father died when she was a child of eleven years and in 1850, with her mother, she emigrated to Clark County, Ohio, of which she has since been a resident. The mother settled at New Carlisle where she lived until her death, which occurred August 3, 1865. The parental family included six children, of whom four are living and residents of Ohio.