My Genealogy Hound

SAMUEL H. SALISBURY, attorney-at-law of Seneca Falls, was born in Eagle Harbor, Orleans County, N. Y., August 26, 1848, and is a son of Rev. Samuel and Electa (Beals) Salisbury. His father, who was born in Herkimer, N. Y., in July, 1804, entered the ministry of the Wesleyan Methodist Church at an early age, and in the discharge of his duties as a preacher of the Gospel was sent by his conference to different parts of the state. After a long and useful life, he died, in 1874. He was one of the early agitators for the abolition of slavery; in fact, so strong was his opposition to this institution, that he incurred the enmity of many Southern sympathizers, and his life was at times in great danger. He was actively connected with the “underground railroad,” and assisted slaves who were fleeing to Canada.

The paternal grandfather of our subject was a native of New England, and for many years was captain of a vessel on the Atlantic Ocean, but later abandoned his sea-faring life and settled near Rome, N. Y. Our subject’s mother was born near Geneva, Ontario County, N. Y., and died at Albany, this state, in 1883; her remains were interred in the cemetery at Seneca Falls. She was a woman of great worth, a true Christian, and was well fitted to be the helpmate of a minister of the Gospel. Her four children were Louise E., wife of Charles E. Noble, of Albany; Emma L., wife of George Hayward, of Fitchburg, Mass.; Rhyland E., Superintendent of Schools at Hammonton, N. J.; and Samuel H.

The subject of this sketch passed the days of his youth at Albany, Syracuse and Eagle Harbor, and received his early education in the common schools of those places. Later he attended the high school of Pittsfield, Mass., and the academy at Albion, N. Y. On leaving school he went East and entered upon a business life. He came to Seneca Falls in 1872 and was interested in the tobacco business for some years. Afterward he was engaged in one of the manufactories as bookkeeper, relinquishing that position to read law with Jasper N. Hammond, a prominent lawyer of this place. Examined before the Supreme Court at Buffalo, he was admitted to the Bar in 1891. He then commenced the practice of his profession in Seneca Falls and was soon appointed Village Attorney, in which capacity he served during 1893. In May, 1892, he was appointed Assistant Postmaster under Charles T. Andrews.

In February, 1877, Mr. Salisbury married Miss Lillie B., daughter of George P. Sukill, of the town of Tyre. Two children have been born unto them, Samuel H., Jr., and Edna L. In politics Mr. Salisbury is prominent in the local ranks of the Republican party, and usually attends conventions as delegate, taking an active part in securing .the success of his party. A member of the Knights of Pythias, he was in 1894 chosen Grand Chancellor of the state of New York. He is recognized as an authority on all Pythian matters.