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Below is a family biography included in The History of Posey County, Indiana by John C. Leffel and published by Standard Publishing Company in 1913.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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John G. Layer, a prominent farmer of Marrs township, was born in Chambersburg, Pa., July 23, 1843, a son of David and Rachel (Doberer) Layer, both natives of Germany, who, on coming to America, located at Baltimore. The father died when John was a small boy, and he was left on his own resources. Prior to his fifteenth year he worked on a farm, and was a sheep herder, so that his schooling was limited. In 1859 he came to Posey county and worked as a farm hand until the Civil war. On November 7, 1863, he enlisted as a private in Company A, Tenth Indiana cavalry, serving until the close of the war, being mustered out at Vicksburg, Miss. In his period of service he participated in many battles, the last being the siege of Mobile, and he is able to relate many interesting reminiscences. He was wounded once. Upon returning to Posey county, after the war, Mr. Layer bought land, and for the first time in his life became a farmer on his own account. On March 30, 1870, the marriage of John C. Layer and Miss Lodema Harrison occurred. She is the daughter of Zephnirah and Nancy (Cox) Harrison, of Center township, both now deceased, the father dying in 1873 and the mother in 1874. They were both natives of Posey county, and their daughter, Lodema, was born in Center township, July 27, 1848. Mr. and Mrs. Layer became the parents of eight children: Evaline, born February 12, 1871, died February 12, 1876; Ida May, born June 30, 1883, died July 17, 1894; Charles Sherman, born August 14, 1885, died August 26, 1886; Emma Jane, born July 17, 1872, married George Rodel, of Warrick county, Indiana, February 13, 1901; Rachel Ellen, born November 27, 1874, married William Vaupel, of Warrick county, Indiana, August 12, 1902; Walter George, born March 26, 1877, married Emma Baker December 14, 1902; Henry Harrison, born May 29, 1879, married Lena Miller July 20, 1902, and Elizabeth Anna, born March 20, 1881. Mr. Layer is a member of the Harrison Post, No. 91, Grand Army of the Republic, of Mt. Vernon.

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This family biography is one of 232 biographies included in The History of Posey County, Indiana by John C. Leffel and published in 1913 by Standard Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: Posey County, Indiana History and Genealogy

View additional Posey County, Indiana family biographies here: Posey County, Indiana Biographies

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