Caleb R. Layton

Dr.
Caleb R. Layton
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Delaware's At-large district
In office
March 4, 1919 – March 4, 1923
Preceded by Albert F. Polk
Succeeded by William H. Boyce
Personal details
Born (1851-09-08)September 8, 1851
Frankford, Delaware
Died November 11, 1930(1930-11-11) (aged 79)
Georgetown, Delaware
Political party Republican
Spouse(s) Anna E. Sipple
Residence Georgetown, Delaware
Alma mater Amherst College
University of Pennsylvania Medical School
Profession physician
Religion Episcopalian

Caleb Rodney Layton (September 8, 1851 – November 11, 1930) was an American physician and politician, from Georgetown, in Sussex County, Delaware. He was a member of the Republican Party, who served two terms as U. S. Representative from Delaware.

Early life and family

Layton was born at Long Farm, near Frankford, Sussex County, Delaware, son of Samuel H. and Elizabeth Long Layton. His father was a farmer, who had served as Sheriff, Justice of the Peace and Clerk of the Court of Sussex County. Caleb Layton attended Georgetown Academy and Amherst College in Massachusetts, graduating in 1873. Subsequently he attended the medical school at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia and received his degree in 1876. In 1906 he married Anna Elizabeth Sipple and they had three children, Rachel Sipple, Daniel John, and Caleb Sipple.

Professional and political career

Returning to Sussex County, Layton settled in Georgetown and began the practice of medicine. His first position in the political sphere was as the Secretary of the Republican County Committee, which he held from 1876 to 1888. He was Chairman of the Union (Addicks) Republican Party County Committee from 1896 to 1901 and also served as one of Delaware's ten delegates to the Republican National Conventions in the years 1896, 1900 and 1904. Meanwhile, from 1897 until 1905, he was editor of the Union Republican, a Georgetown newspaper.

Withdrawing completely from his medical practice, Layton was appointed Delaware Secretary of State in 1901, and served until 1905. For the next four years he was appointed as an auditor for the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C. From 1912 until 1918 he was a member of the Progressive Republican Party State committee.

Layton was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1918, defeating incumbent Democratic U.S. Representative Albert F. Polk. He won election again in 1920, this time defeating Democrat James R. Clements. During these terms, he served in the Republican majority in the 66th and 67th Congress. Seeking reelection in 1922, he lost to Democrat William H. Boyce, a retired judge from Georgetown. Layton served two terms, from March 4, 1919 until March 3, 1923, during the administrations of U.S. Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Warren G. Harding. He was voted out of office due to his voting against the Dyer Anti-Lynching Bill.[1] Alice Dunbar Nelson, an African American political activist and founder of the Anti-Lynching Crusaders, assisted 12,000 new voters who supported the bill to register in Delaware. Layton ultimately lost the election by 7000 votes, which was equal to the number of black voters who voted for his opponent in protest. [2]

Death and legacy

Layton then resumed the practice of medicine in Georgetown, Delaware. He died there and is buried in the St. Paul’s Episcopal Churchyard at Georgetown. His son, Daniel J. Layton, later became Attorney General of Delaware and then Chief Justice of the Delaware Supreme Court.

Almanac

Elections are held the first Tuesday after November 1. U.S. Representatives took office March 4 and have a two-year term.


Public Offices
Office Type Location Began office Ended office notes
Secretary of State Executive Dover January 15, 1901 January 17, 1905 Delaware
U.S. Representative Legislature Washington March 4, 1919 March 3, 1921
U.S. Representative Legislature Washington March 4, 1921 March 3, 1923


United States Congressional service
Dates Congress Chamber Majority President Committees Class/District
1919–1921 66th U.S. House Republican Woodrow Wilson at-large
1921–1923 67th U.S. House Republican Warren G. Harding at-large


Election results
Year Office Subject Party Votes % Opponent Party Votes %
1918 U.S. Representative Caleb R. Layton Republican 21,226 51% Albert F. Polk Democratic 19,652 48%
1920 U.S. Representative Caleb R. Layton Republican 52,145 54% James R. Clements Democratic 40,206 43%
1922 U.S. Representative Caleb R. Layton Republican 32,577 45% William H. Boyce Democratic 39,126 54%

References

  1. ↑ Johnson, James Weldon, The Selected Writings of James Weldon Johnson: Social, political, and literary essays, 2, Oxford University Press, p. 78, ISBN 0195076451
  2. ↑ Plastas, Melinda (2011), A Band of Noble Women: Racial Politics in the Women's Peace Movement, Syracuse University Press, p. 66, ISBN 0815651449

External links

Places with more information

United States House of Representatives
Preceded by
Albert F. Polk		 Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Delaware's at-large congressional district
1919–1923 		Succeeded by
William H. Boyce


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