BIO:  ELMER E. LAY, Cumberland County, Pennsylvania
   
  Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Joe Patterson
  OCRed by Judy Banja

  Copyright 2004.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/
  _____________________________________________________________

  >From Biographical Annals of Cumberland County, Pennsylvania,
  Chicago: The Genealogical Publishing Co., 1905, pages 571-572
  _____________________________________________________________

  NOTE: Use this web address to access other bios:
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/cumberland/zeamer/


    ELMER E. LAY. The business interests of Plainfield, West Pennsboro
  township, Cumberland county, are in the hands of capable, intelligent, keen
  men, actively alive to the current affairs. Among these may well be mentioned
  Elmer E. Lay, a son of William Lay, and grandson of Samuel Lay.

    Samuel Lay was born in 1812, in Perry county, Pa., where he was profitably
  engaged in farming, and there married, in 1832, Miss Anna Fought, also of
  Perry county. After a few years he removed to Indiana, and there died in
  1871. Samuel Lay had the following children: William, the father of Elmer E.;
  Samuel, of Lockhaven, Pa.; John, of Colorado, at one time of Perry county;
  Harry, who died in Illinois; Susan, living at Carlisle; Mary Baker, who lived
  in Perry county, and is deceased; Becky, living at Newville; and Maggie,
  living in Perry county.

    William Lay, the father of Elmer E., was born in 1837, in Perry county,
  where he attended the common schools until he was seventeen years of age, and
  then began to learn the carpenter's trade, and at the same time engaged in
  farming. In 1858 he mar-

    572  CUMBERLAND COUNTY.

  lied Miss Carrie Kistler, daughter of Samuel and Catherine Kistler, of Perry
  county. He engaged in farming until Oct. 20, 1862, when he enlisted in
  Company F, 177th Regiment, under Capt. Filbert. Unfortunately this brave
  soldier became ill, and although honorably discharged he was too ill to be
  moved, and died in 1864. The following children were born to William Lay and
  his wife: Wilson, born in Perry county, in 1859; Ella, born in Perry county,
  who died in 1898, at the Carlisle hospital; Elmer E.; and Alvertta, born in
  Perry county, in 1864, who died in 1865.

    Elmer E. Lay was born in Perry county in 1862, and attended the public
  schools until he reached the age of sixteen years, when he began learning the
  tinner's trade, becoming so proficient that he was able to do journeyman work
  during his third year. He then removed to Plainfield, and started in business
  for himself in 1887, on Wood street. In 1899 he embarked in a mercantile line,
  continuing his tinning business as well until about a year ago, when he
  disposed of that branch so as to devote all of his attention to his store,
  which is the only one in Plainfield. It is well stocked and an excellent
  quality of goods is carried. Mr. Lay owns the property he occupies, which is
  one of the most desirable business blocks in the village, has made many
  improvements on the property, and has a handsome hall over his store, where
  the lodge of American Mechanics meets; he is a member of same.

    In 1886 Mr. Lay married Rose Smarsh, daughter of V. A. Smarsh, and when he
  took his bride to Plainfield he purchased the home they now occupy, a
  pleasant dwelling upon which they have made many improvements. They have
  become the parents of the following children: William, born in 1887 in
  Carlisle, died in 1889 at Plainfield; Ella, born in 1889, is attending the
  Shippensburg State Normal School; Elmer M., born in 1890, and Frank F., born
  in 1892, are attending school. The family attend the Lutheran Church of
  Plainfield, and are important factors in the social life of the community.
  Mr. Lay votes the Democratic ticket, and has served as assessor and upon the
  election board of his township.