Joseph Charles Layer

NJGenWeb ~ Morris County, New Jersey

Source: History Morris County New Jersey, Volume II, Lewis Publishing Co., 1914

Joseph Charles LAYER, of Morris Plains, Morris county, New Jersey, who is one of the representative citizens of the county, has labored indefatigably for the promotion of its best interests, and has been a potent influence in its progress in many directions.

Engelbach LAYER, born in Germany, and grandfather of Joseph C. LAYER, emigrated to the United States, and died here at an advanced age. He was a farmer by occupation. He married ______, also of German birth.

William P. LAYER, son of Engelbach LAYER, was born on Long Island, New York, in 1833, was a farmer all his life, and died in 1889. He married Louisa Mary FISHER, born in 1842, a daughter of Charles FISHER, who was born in Germany, and came to Morris county when the canal ran to Broadway. He was in active service during the Mexican and Civil Wars. He was one of the first to respond to President Lincoln’s call for three months’ men, and upon the expiration of this period of time at once re-enlisted and served to the close of the war. He died at the advanced age of ninety-two years in the city of New York. All his life after the Civil War he suffered from a sword wound, a ball which was lodged in the top of his head, another which was later cut from his leg, but he bore these sufferings with the bravery which had characterized him on the battle field. He had children: Joseph Charles, whose name is at the head of this sketch; Elizabeth, married William THAW, of Scranton; Lena M., married John GATES, of New York.

Joseph Charles LAYER was born in Jamaica, Long Island, New York, September 19, 1866. Being the oldest child of the family, his opportunities for attending the public schools were but limited ones, as he was soon obliged to give the greater part of his time to assisting his father in the management of the home farm. He was but fourteen years of age when his entire time was devoted to working and he was thus occupied until he was twenty-three years of age. In the year 1890 he removed to Boonton, Morris county, New Jersey, where he established himself in the meat business which he carried on for a period of four years. He spent one year in Camp Tabor, and then came to Morris Plains, where he opened a small shop on Speedwell avenue, where his business became very flourishing. For the past five years he has been at his present location. When Mr. LAYER established his business there was but one other store of the kind in the town. He has amassed a considerable fortune, and is the owner of much real estate. He has always taken an active interest in the cause of education, has been a member of the board of education of Hanover township for the past twelve years, and is at present president of that honorable body. He is Republican in his political views, and a member of the Royal Arcanum, the Junior Order of United American Mechanics, and the Morris Plains fire department.

Mr. LAYER married (first) in 1889, Annie E., a daughter of William P. LITTLE and they had children: William P., deceased; Mabel C.; Laura Mary; Grace Tabor; Joseph C. Jr. He married (second) in July, 1912, Ella E., daughter of William CHAMPION, of Wharton.

Transcribed by John Cresseveur (1949-2003)