W. A. LAYER, M. D.  Careful preparation for the practice of medicine and marked devotion to the duties of his profession have gained Dr. Layer enviable prestige in the ranks of the medical fraternity in Darke county. He is now practicing in Hillgrove and his patronage is large and lucrative. He was born in this county October 28, 1868, his parents being George and Elizabeth (Niswinger) Layer. His father was a native of Pennsylvania, born in Lancaster county April 1, 1837, and was a son of Peter Layer, whose birth also oc­curred in the Keystone state. In 1840 the grandfather came to Ohio with his family, locating where the town of Painter now stands. He followed farming and made his home in Darke county for a few years, but long before the town of Bradford was laid out he removed to Miami county, where he spent his remaining days, passing away in June, 1883. He married Hannah Miller, who died in March, 1893, and they were the
parents of seven sons and two daughters, who reached years of maturity, while all are still living with the exception of the eldest son.
     George Layer, the father of the Doctor, was the fifth son and was three years of age when brought by his parents to Darke county. He acquired his education in the common schools and Remained at home until he had reached the age of twenty-six, when he was married. Until. 1870 he continued to live in Darke county, operating rented land. In that year he lost his wife and with his eldest son. he went-to Miami county, spend­ing two and a half years in his father's home. On the expiration of that period he returned to this county, but after four years again went to Miami county, where he has since maintained his abode. His first wife was Elizabeth, the daughter of John and Susan Niswinger, of Darke county. Her father came to the Buckeye state from Virginia and her mother was a native of Montgomery county, Ohio, her maiden name being Warner. By the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. Layer three children were born: Harvey J., whose birth occurred October 17, 1864, is now a general merchant at Bradford, Miami county; Susella, who was born October 15, 1866, and resides at Arcanum, Darke county; and W. A., who is the subject of this review. The mother died in August, 1870, and in 1873 Mr. Layer, the father, married Mrs. Slauffer, whose maiden name was Landis-She was born in Montgomery county and by her second marriage has one child, Lydia, who was born January 1, 1875, and is now the wife of William Brown, of Miami county. Mr. Layer votes with the Democracy, but has never been active in political affairs, . and is a member of the German Baptist church.
     After the death of his mother Dr. Layer made his home with Henry Swank, an uncle, with whom he remained until his father-re­turned from Miami county, at which time he went back to his home. He attended the district schools until sixteen years of age, when he went to Kansas, where he continued for two and a half years. On reaching home he became a student in the Bradford high school, where he pursued his studies until 1891, when he was graduated, having com­pleted the course. He next went to Lebanon, Ohio, and entered the National Normal Uni­versity, pursuing a preparatory course of eighteen months with the intention of taking up the study of medicine. On the expiration of that period he went to Baltimore, Maryland, and matriculated in the Baltimore Medical College, completing a full three-years course in that institution, being grad­uated in April, 1895. His studies had been directed by Professor Holbrook at Lebanon and in Baltimore by Professor Johnson, teacher of surgery, and Professor Street, teacher of medicine. Among his other in­structors were Professor Rhenling, teacher of surgery of the eye; Professor Brinton; Professor Merrick, who lectured on diseases and treatment of the nose, throat and chest; Professor Samuel T. Earl, who lectured on intestinal obstruction; and Professor Peunimen, who was a teacher of chemistry. His studies were also directed by Professor Ames; Professor John Blake, teacher of surgery; A. C. Pole, teacher of anatomy; Pro­fessor H. P. Ellis, teacher of materia medica; and Professor Charles G. Hill, whose instruction concerned nervous and mental dis­eases. In June, 1895, after being thus care­fully prepared for practice, Dr. Layer located at Macedon, Mercer county, Ohio, and after eight months took up his abode at Hillgrove, where he has since engaged in prac­tice, meeting with creditable success.
On the 20th of October, 1897, the Doctor was united in marriage to Miss Estella White, a daughter of Ernest and Mollie White. Her father was born in Preble county, Ohio, and for thirty years has been a resident of Darke county. His wife is a daugh­ter of Jesse Cox. Dr. and Mrs. Layer reside in a beautiful home, which is noted for its hospitality and good cheer. The Doctor is a Democrat and belongs to Invincible Lodge, No. 84, K. of P., of Union City, Indiana. His wife is a member of the German Reformed church of Hillgrove.
     Dr. Layer finds in the faithful discharge of each clay's duties inspiration and encour­agement for the labors of the next, and has already gained in his profession a standing that many an older practitioner might well envy.
Source: History of Darke County, Ohio From its earliest Settlement to the Present Time - Vols. I & II - Milford, Ohio - The Hobart Publ. Co. - 1914.

  JOHN T. LECKLIDER.  Darke county has produced some men of distinctive literary talent, among whom have been mentioned D. K. Swisher and Barney Collins, the former a writer on early historical and social topics, the latter a poet of recent years.  In 1913 there appeared a book of over two hundred poems covering a wide range of topics, including religion, affection, travel, nature, home life, education and nearly everything else but war, all dedicated "to the good friends of my native state" - which in this case was Ohio and mostly Darke county.  These poems possess distinctive literary merit and are destined, doubtless, to have a wide circulation.  John T. Lecklider, the author of these poems, first saw the light of this world on the 18th day of July, 1840, from a farm house some three miles south of Dayton, Ohio, on the Lebanon pike.  When about six weeks of age his father, Daniel C. Lecklider, with his family, removed to Adams township, Darke county, to carve from the then virgin wilderness a home and farm.  He was the youngest of five brothers.  His mother taught him to read and write.  He did not attend school until he was past eight years of age, and from then until he was eighteen, his average yearly attendance at the district school was not above thirty-five days.  He recalls among his teachers (who were called "master" in those days) John Spayd, a master mathematician of Greenville, Ohio.  Willard Heath, from the state of New York, a man of fine mind, general education, and a lover of books; Samuel Hagar (afterward doctor), a student and kindly gentleman; there were others, whose chief merit was the ambition which called them from the counter, the workshop and farm to be teachers.  His first books in school were McGuffey's second reader, Talbott's arithmetic, Webster's speller.  In 1858 he was reputed as so familiar with Ray's higher arithmetic, Stoddard's mental arithmetic, Kirkham and Pinneo's grammars and Mitchell's geography (in the language of those days with the "3 R's") that he was called to teach his first school in what was known as the Miller, Overhalser, Wright district at $1.35 per day.  At the close of his school term, he was re-employed for the following winter at $1.50 per day.  The winter of 1860-61 he taught the Beanblossom school, just west of Pikeville.  It would be misleading and unjust to assume this was the sum of his education before he entered college.  He had an educated mother, who early impressed upon his mind the value of high ideals and the great benefit of reading good books.  He informs us that to his home, as far back as he can remember, there came the New York Tribune, the New York Independent and the weekly Darke county paper.  These were read, talked over and many times treasured for reference.  Their weekly coming brought the news of the world, made the great cities and great men and events seem nearer, and filled the cleared spaces - as the clearing grew - with the thoughts of progress and deeds of men.  Thus he became early in life interested in politics, the world's progress, invention, science and the government's duties and responsibilities.  Thus, Mr. Lecklider was, so to speak, kept in touch with the great thinkers, reformers, scientists, preachers and statesmen of the times.  Such reading was needed then and is needed now to make passing events intelligible.  The increment of knowledge thus acquired, who can compute?  It requires little schooling to beget a habit of study.  One's education is never completed, an education is more than a life work, it goes into the future.

     Mr. Lecklider left the farm in 1861, and became a student of Wittenberg college, at Springfield, Ohio, and after completing the full collegiate course graduated in May, 1866, receiving the degree of Bachelor of Arts, and later the A.M.  He then became a resident of Greenville, placed his letter of membership with the Presbyterian church.  For two years he read law with the Hon. Wm. Allen, entering at once upon the drudgery that leads to professional life.  The road seemed long.  He tells us he was burdened with the fact that his wants were many and his pockets were empty.  To replenish them he became principal and superintendent of the high school at Union City, Ind., for one year.  At the same time continuing his law studies and reciting regularly to his preceptor.  On the 20th of May, 1868, he passed an examination and was admitted to the practice of law in the courts of Ohio.  He at once entered into co-partnership with Judge Wharry, in front office over Schaible and Kipp drug store.  He was admitted to practice in the United States circuit and district courts of Ohio in 1870.  During his residence in Greenville, he was chairman of the board of examiners for teachers in the high school, was elected and served as president of the Darke County Sabbath School Association for two terms.  It was during his mayoralty that the fire department was organized and equipped.  In 1870 his name appeared on the republican ticket as candidate for prosecuting attorney.  He felt that he had received in the nomination a generous but uncertain compliment, because the democratic majority was 1,400 or more at that time.  He said to a friend on the day of election, "I feel like the Irishman, who said, 'Faith and its aisy to be beaten when you're almost there.'"  The count showed his opponent won by a small majority.
     He has always been an optimist, has a social, companionable nature, though aggressive for what he deems right, yet courteously tolerant of views of others.  He soon had the confidence of the people and enjoyed a profitable practice.  He liked his profession, but early became convinced that a general practice was not to be coveted, that too often the criminal lawyer becomes a criminal.  Deciding to limit his professional life to civil business, in August, 1874, he removed to Indianapolis, Indiana, and was admitted to practice in the state, United States circuit and district courts there.  Through ability and energy he acquired a large and profitable practice from which he retired the 20th of August, 1910.
     Mr. Lecklider was not only a successful lawyer, but a successful business man as well; his natural tastes drew him early to the fields of literature, especially poetry, a book of which he has published since retiring from the law.  Many of the poems were written while he lived on the farm in Darke county.  The book was in process of Writing, covering a period of many years.
     He and his wife has traveled in the United States and Canada extensively, also have traveled in Egypt, Palestine, Syria, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Azore Islands, and in 1910 visited Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium, England and northern France.  He esteems these trips abroad and the days spent in the great cities, art galleries and museums as equal to a liberal education.  Men and nations are big or little, according to their creeds; they develop according to their individual ideals.  Every man is in servitude to his own or some other's physical need, and is great according to his mental and spiritual wisdom.
     Many poems of merit, real gems of thought and rhyme might be quoted from Mr. Lecklider's excellent collection, but we must be content to select three of the smaller ones:

     From these it will be seen that Mr. Lecklider has the soul of the true poet, and the art of the literateur.  The fact that he has written these during the years of a busy life occupied with the cares incident to a success professional career ought to add luster to the unusual attainment and be a source of pride to friends and citizens of his old home.  Mr. Lecklider is a brother of Dr. L. C. Lecklider, deceased, and of Frank and Mary Lecklider, now living on East Third street.

Source: History of Darke County, Ohio From its earliest Settlement to the Present Time - Vols. I & II - Milford, Ohio - The Hobart Publ. Co. - 1914 - Page 17