BIOGRAPHY: Joseph P. LAYTON, Cambria County, PA 

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From Wiley, Samuel T., ed. Biographical and Portrait Cyclopedia of Cambria 
County, Pennsylvania. Philadelphia: Union Publishing Co., 1896, p. 221-2
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JOSEPH P. LAYTON, who for forty years faithfully discharged the duties of 
foreman in the blacksmithing department of the Cambria Iron company, is a son of 
Henry and Helena (Pretzman) Layton, and was born in Greencastle, Franklin 
county, Pennsylvania, January 10, 1821.
     His grandfather, Theodore Layton, was born in Elberfeldt, on the Rhine, and 
emigrated to this country in 1796. He landed at Baltimore, and from there 
removed to Greencastle, which he made his permanent home. Henry Layton (father) 
was but six months old when his parents came to the United States. He received 
his early training and education in Greencastle. In the War of 1812, our second 
struggle for independence, Henry Layton, then a boy of about seventeen years, 
entered the army and served under that renowned soldier, General Winfield Scott. 
He served until the close of the war, having taken part in the battle of Lundy's 
Lane and Chippewa. He was a weaver by trade, and located in Johnstown, this 
county, in 1833. He was a republican in politics, and served as justice of the 
peace for a number of years. He died in Johnstown in 1871.
      Joseph P. Layton received his education in the common schools of 
Johnstown, and in his youth learned the trade of blacksmith, which occupation he 
has always followed.
      In 1853, when the Cambria Iron company's works were built in this city, he 
was made general foreman of the blacksmith shops of that company. He filled his 
position very acceptably for forty years, and at the close of this long period 
of faithful service, he was made clerk of that department, in which capacity he 
acts as timekeeper. He is a member of the Presbyterian church, and is identified 
with a number of lodges. He belongs to Corona Lodge No. 999, I. O. O. F., at 
Conemaugh; to the Cambria Lodge, No. 278, F. and A. M.; and Mineral City Lodge, 
No. 100, Knights of the Mystic Chain. He is very prominently identified with the 
order of Good Templars, and with the Sons of Temperance. Being a strong advocate 
of the cause of temperance he is a member of the Prohibition party, and has been 
before the public as a candidate for the state legislature and for various 
county offices.
      He has been twice married. His first marriage was with Miss Elizabeth 
Huber, to which union three children were born: John H., of   McKeesport, 
Pennsylvania; Anna L., who is the wife of John G. Ball, of Kansas City, 
Missouri; and one child, who died in infancy. His second marriage was with Miss 
Anna Jane Purse. This marriage has resulted in the birth of seven children: Ella 
Grace, wife of Reuben Joder, of Morrellville, this county; Mary L., Bertha B., 
and Joseph W., residents of Johnstown; and Mabel, Jennie, and Benjamin, 
deceased.