During his lifetime, he made 99 trips across the Atlantic pursuing business interests and collecting fine art in London and the other capitals of Europe.

Throughout his life, he consistently donated his money to support local charities and Milwaukee's art community.

[1] The family moved to Great Wilbraham in 1836, where Frederick's father established a small country butcher shop and taught his son the trade.

After two years, they returned to the butcher trade and opened the J&F Layton Meat Market in Milwaukee on East Water Street in 1845.

[7] As business grew, Layton began traveling abroad and created a network of provision wholesalers in Liverpool and London.

[12] With the increasing advancements of the railroad industry, Layton & Co. found new and improved ways to efficiently receive and deliver both their livestock and meat products.

[16] The daughter of Joel and Mary Hayman, Elizabeth and her family immigrated to Oak Creek, Wisconsin, from Devonshire, England, in 1836.

It was recorded that inside the house were plain, old-fashioned furniture and homemade rag rugs laid on painted wood floors.

[20] Frances Stover wrote: "Mr. Layton enjoyed visiting the fine homes of his friends; he praised their taste, he admired architectural niceties.

Word spread and the Milwaukee Sentinel reported that Layton was going abroad to advance that purpose by examining other museums and purchasing art.

[26][27] Additionally, Layton helped formally organize the Milwaukee Art Association and was elected its first vice president in 1910.

[28] In April 1919, Layton received an award from the National Society of American Scientists as one of the first promoters of art in the United States.