My Genealogy Hound

Mrs. Laura L. Layton. Among the many old and interesting families of Oakland County are the ones with which Mrs. Layton is connected, both by birth and marriage. She owns her father’s old homestead farm of 320 acres in section 33, Addison township, where she was born December 15, 1860. She is a daughter of the late Abram A. and Mary A. (Hulick) Snyder, both members of old pioneer families.

Abram A. Snyder was born in Warren County, New Jersey, and came to Michigan with his father, Dennis Snyder, when a lad of nine years. Dennis Snyder secured 320 acres of land in section 33, Addison township, Oakland County, and there he made his home until his death, September 8, 1872, at the age of 84 years. His first wife was Sallie Gulick, who died May 30, 1829, leaving seven children, all of whom are deceased, except Dennis, who resides at Ovid, Clinton County, Michigan, aged 76 years.

Abram A. Snyder was a man of prominence in his neighborhood. He was a Democrat, and served as a justice of the peace and in many of the local offices. He was married first to Ann Maria Bowers, July 3, 1847; she died April 2, 1848. His second wife, Mary Ann Hulick was born in Sussex County, New Jersey, and died in Addison township, Oakland County, August 2, 1882, aged 62 years. She was a daughter of Henry Hulick, who was one of the earliest settlers of Addison township, and who died at the home of his son in Oxford in 1876, aged 84 years. Abram A. Snyder was married to his third wife, Emma Tribe, May 20, 1886; his death occurred on the 23rd of the following October, at the age of 61 years. His widow is now Mrs. Nash, of Minneapolis, Minnesota. Four children were born to the first marriage, viz: Ann Maria, born May 20, 1852, who died November 28, 1856; Mary Olive, born July 31, 1859, who married Lafayette Johnson, June 8, 1881, and died March 12, 1883; Laura L. (Mrs. Layton); and Henry D., born May 12, 1862, who was married June 7, 1883, to Julia E. Chapin, born in Macomb County, near Mount Vernon, who died October 20, 1885, aged 23 years, Henry D. survived her but two years, dying at the old homestead, January 25, 1887.

Mrs. Laura L. Layton was reared in Addison township and was educated in the local schools. On February 8, 1893, she married Bert C. Layton, who was born June 18, 1867, in Addison township, Oakland County, and is a son of William and Emily (Hoose) Layton, early residents of this county, who came here from New Jersey and New York, respectively. William Layton resides at Lakeville and for many years has operated a fine threshing outfit and is well and favorably known throughout the county.

For the past 10 years Mr. and Mrs. Layton have occupied Maple Leaf Farm, as the old Snyder homestead is locally known. It is a beautiful place, conveniently situated between Oxford, Orion and Lakeville. The handsome residence was built by Mrs. Layton’ s father in 1883.

Mrs. Layton is an active member of the Methodist Church at Lakeville. Mr. Layton belongs to the tent of the Knights of the Maccabees of the same village, and takes a lively interest in the public affairs of the township. Politically he is a Democrat. Mrs. Layton is well known and is noted for her many amiable characteristics and for her generous hospitality.

On a preceding page, in connection with this sketch, will be found a portrait of the late Abram A. Snyder, father of Mrs. Layton.