My Genealogy Hound

JOHN S. SALSBURY, a farmer of Garfield township, Buffalo county, Nebr., was born in Saratoga county, in the State of New York, October 8, 1842. His father, James Salsbury, was also a native of New York State, and by occupation was a farmer, which vocation he followed until his death, November 4, 1844; but while pursuing his life-work on the farm, was much interested in polities, and was honored, by his fellow-citizens, with several positions of trust and duty. He married Miss Caroline, daughter of John W. Creal, of New York State, and to this marriage were born two children — Polly M., who died June 7, 1844, and John S., the subject proper of this sketch. In July, 1864, John S. Salsbury married Miss Rachel H., daughter of John and Anna Runnels, natives of Ohio, who first moved to Indiana, and then to Iowa, of which latter state Mr. Salsbury was a resident when his marriage took place. To the union of John S. and Rachel H. Salsbury have been born seven children, in the following order — Elmer W., Annie C., Rachel P., Cady M., Mary E., Roy C. and Guy A. Of these children, Elmer died while yet an infant; Cady M. died June 8, 1883, at the age of twelve years; Rachel P. died in February, 1886, at the age of seventeen.

John S. Salsbury came to Nebraska, January 1, 1879, and located first in Sherman county. In May, 1881, he changed to Buffalo county, and entered a homestead claim on the northwest quarter of section 34, township 12, range 14, where he first built a sod house and went to work at getting his farm ready for cultivation, breaking twenty-five acres the first year. He has since built a good, large frame dwelling, has one hundred and ten acres under cultivation, has a fine orchard started, and is possessed of every convenience to make a comfortable home. He has always been successful in raising good mixed crops, since his residence here, and live stock has received much of his attention. On his first coming here, there were only three farms opened up in the township, but now the whole township is dotted with flourishing farms, among which his is one of the best, owing to his industry and skillful management. Railroads have come in, and towns have been built up, and Mr. Salsbury is now close to a market and a shipping point. Reared to be a farmer in the State of Iowa, to which state his parents had moved while he was yet but a lad, he gained a full knowledge of agricultural work, and hence comes his success in that pursuit in Nebraska. While in Iowa, Mr. Salsbury enlisted, in June, 1861, at Clarinda, Page county, in company F, First Nebraska infantry, and served in Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky and Arkansas; he veteranized in January, 1861, and the latter part of his service took place on the Western plains. He was mustered out in July, 1866. During his service in the army he was transferred from the infantry to the cavalry branch of the service. At the fight at Helena, Ark., he was taken prisoner, and for a week or so was confined at Little Rock. Released on parole, he went to St. Louis, Mo., and thence to his home, where he was arrested as a deserter, but, after the President’s proclamation, returned to his regiment, then at Cape Girardeau, and served with it until the close of the struggle, without further mishap. On his return to Iowa, he engaged in building bridges, and was also engaged in the milling business — the latter business occupying his attention until the time of his coming to Nebraska. After his arrival here, Mr. Salsbury was made the first justice of the peace of the township in which he located, and served two terms; subsequently he was elected supervisor, and in this capacity served also two terms. He has also served as assessor and road overseer, and in every position gave the utmost satisfaction to his constituents. Mr. Salsbury and family are members of the Methodist Episcopal church, and are devoted in their attention to its services and discipline. Mr. Salsbury is also commander of Cedar Mountain Post, No. 220, G. A. R., in which he takes the utmost interest. His interest in the granger movement is likewise unbounded, and he with much ability, acts as lecturer and state delegate for the Farmers’ alliance. His habits are strictly temperate, and he is a strong advocate for the prohibition of the manufacture or sale of intoxicants in the state. His politics he confines altogether to the republican party. His standing before the public is of the highest, and the various positions of honor and trust which he has held, unsolicited, give evidence of the esteem in which he is held by his neighbors.