Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 778-779; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Oscar T. Salisbury. The business of a grocer is one of the
most important in a city or hamlet, and the growth of a settlement
could well be marked by the number of flourishing establishments found
therein. The subject of this notice is a member of the firm of
Swearingen & Co., dealers in family groceries at Canton, and is
numbered among the enterprising dealers of the city. They carry a
full stock of groceries, together with a large supply of flour, and
also ran a bakery. Their place of business is on the northwest
corner of the square in the large brick building owned by the Graham
estate.
Before noting the main facts that have transpired in the life of
our subject it will not be amiss to say a few words regarding his
parents. His father, Samuel J. Salisbury, is a native of the
Buckeye State, in which he resided until 1880, when he moved to
Illinois, locating in Canton where he still makes his home. The
maiden name of his wife was Margaret E. Hendrickson and she is a native
of the Empire State. Her father, Elijah Hendrickson, was born in
Kentucky. She also is still living, and so likewise are her six
children.
The subject of this brief biographical notice was born in
November, 1848, in Butler County, Ohio, and is the oldest member of the
parental household. He attended the common schools in his native
county and subsequently pursued his studies two years in Hamilton
Academy at Hamilton. On leaving school he began his mercantile
experience as a clerk in Hamilton and two years later embarked in
business on his own account, opening a general stock of goods at
McGonigle. While there he was appointed Postmaster, serving in
that capacity several years. Mr. Salisbury finally disposed of
his stock and good will and in 1880 removed to Canton forming a
partnership with Henry M. Kline in 1881. The new firm bought the
goods of W. E. Wolgamot and continued to carry on the business at the
same stand.
In 1871 Mr. Salisbury was married to Anna J. Pheelis, daughter
of Jacob and Marilda Pheelis. She died March 28, 1878. His
present wife is a native of New London, Ohio, the daughter of James and
Nancy White, and was christened Elizabeth. She was well reared by
worthy parents, is very intelligent and well informed, and has a
consistent Christian character. She and her husband belong to the
Presbyterian Church in which Mr. Salisbury holds the office of
Deacon. He is also a member of the Young Men’s Christian
Association and a liberal contributor and supporter to every department
of its work. It is scarcely necessary to add that he is held in
high repute by citizens of Canton and the adjacent country on account
of his excellent character, business ability and pleasing qualities.
