He began study of law, and was admitted to the bar March 13, 1876.

He was elected prosecuting attorney of Huron County in 1879, and served for seven years.

[2] Laylin represented Huron County in the Ohio House of representatives from 1888 to 1893, in the 68th, 69th and 70th General Assemblies, selected by his peers as Speaker of the House in the 70th in 1892–1893.

[3] Laylin was nominated in 1900 by the Republican Party for Ohio secretary of state, and re-elected twice, serving a total of six years from 1901 to 1907.

[2] Married November 3, 1880, to Frances L Dewey of Norwalk, and had three sons.