Laymon - Wilson H.
Source: 1881 H.W Beckwith History (Chicago: HH Hill) p 263
Wilson H. LAYMON, merchant, Crawfordsville, was born Nov 4,
1823, in Butler County, Ohio. His parents, Joseph and Hannah (HARPER)
Laymon, were natives of the same county. The Laymons are of German
and the Harpers of English descent.
Joseph L. was a merchant, and
was located at different times in West Chester, Ohio, then in
Cincinnati, and later, in Crawfordsville, where, April 26 1856 he
died, at the age of 56 years. He had been a prominent democrat,
having been county treasurer in Butler Co, Ohio for many years. He and
wife were members of the Baptist church.
W. H. Laymon spent his
first 14 years in the place of his nativity. At that age he was
sent to Middletown HS, where he remained 3 years, then attended
Miami University at Oxford two years, after which he read law with
Thomas MILLIKAN, an eminent lawyer of Hamilton, Ohio. After 3
years reading he was admitted to the bar at Columbus, Ohio, Jan
8, 1845.
He immediately formed a copartnership with a Mr. LAYNE,
of Lawrenceburg, IN a democratic politician and member of
congress. During this time, Mr. Laymon was associated with John B.
HALL as editor of the Lawrenceburg "Register"for one year. He
removed from Lawrenceburg to Hamilton, Ohio, for the practice of
law, where, in 1847, he was elected clerk of St. Clair Twp, which
office he filled 3 years. In 1848 he was elected Justice of the
Peace; in 1849, co. auditor, on the independent democratic
ticket, and served one term, and in connection with official
duties edited and published the Miami "Democrat."
In 1852, he went
to Cincinnati and became local editor of the daily "Citizen." To
gratify his father, who was getting old, he severed his
connection with that paper and came to Crawfordsville, where he
and his father engaged in the wholesale and retail grocery
business, which they continued until the senior partner's death,
when Milton P. Laymon took his father' place in the firm and
continued till 1859.
Aug. 25, 1862, Mr. Laymon enlisted in Co. F
86th Ind. Vols and Oct 1, 1862, was appointed 5th Sgt. He was
made 1st Sgt. Dec 31, 1862, by Col. HAMILTON, for gallant
services at Stone River, then commissioned 2nd Lt. for similar
reason and Dec 1863 was commissioned 1st Lt. for meritorious
conduct at Mission Ridge. In June, 1864, he was promoted to the
captaincy of his company. He served at the battles of Perryville,
Stone River, Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Mission Ridge, all the
battles from Tunnel Hill to Atlanta, which city he entered at the
head of his company. He then engaged against Hood on the skirmish
line from Pulaski to Nashville. He fought in 58 battles. At Stone
River he was stunned by the explosion of a shell, and while lying
on the grand the rebel army passed over him. At the close of the
war he returned to Crawfordsville.
Shortly after the incorporation of
Crawfordsville as a city, at a citizens' meeting, without regard
to politics, Mr. Laymon was nominated for the mayorality and
afterward elected. He filled the mayor's chair two terms and was
then appointed assistant assessor of the 8th internal revenue
district and held the position 4 years, till the office was
abolished. He was then elected mayor, but at the end of the 1st
year he resigned and engaged in the restaurant business, which he
still continues. He was married Nov 13, 1845 to Sarah A. COOCH,
daughter of Lowen R and Eleanor (TAYLOR) Cooch of Hamilton Ohio.
She was born in Butler Co, Ohio. They have had 3 children: Emma D,
deceased and William H. and James T. living. Mrs. Laymon is a
member of the Methodist Church. My Laymon was a Democrat till
1860, but is now a republican. -- kbz