 BITUARIESLenawee County, Michigan |
John Salsbury stood laughing and chatting when death instantly claimed him for a victim. The sadly sudden taking-off of “Uncle” John Salsbury, in this Village, last Saturday. What a person of the many that walked our streets last Saturday afternoon would one have thought might instantly die that very day? Surely, not the first to be so thought of would have been him whom everybody familiarly called “Uncle” John Salsbury. For never did he appear to be more cheerful, as he greeted old friends, and in response to inquiring said that he felt uncommonly well. But such was the very fate to which he was destined, and especially to these who had seen him but a few minutes before, that said occurrence came with shocking force as another sad reminder of life’s uncertainty. Shortly after four o’clock Mr. Salsbury went into Downer’s feed barn, where, in one of the box stalls, he had stabled his stallion, a horse in which he took unusual pride and about which he delighted to talk. He was showing the animal’s good points to David Clark, manager of the barn, (his son Nathan also being present,) and while chatting on that subject and laughing as usual, he suddenly sank back upon the straw of the stall. He was immediately taken out, it being supposed that he was in a fainting condition. Dr. Rorick, of Fayette, happened to be at hand and other doctors came, but their skill was of no avail, for “Uncle John” had already, without a moment’s warning, joined the silent majority. He had not been enjoying first-rate health during the past winter, but of late, as indicated above was feeling much better. He had said that he expected his death would be a sudden one, as it proved to be. The body was carried to Scofield’s undertaking establishment and prepared for burial, it being conveyed to the sorrowful home, in East Seneca, that evening. The funeral services were held there on Monday afternoon and a large gathering of people was in attendance thereat. Rev. H. Coats gave a discourse of entire appropriateness. The deceased was born at Danby Corners, Rutland Co., Vermont, on Jan. 2d, 1822 and accordingly had passed his 87th birthday. He is entitled to remembrance as one of our early settlers, for when a boy of 11 years he came to Michigan with his parents, who located two miles west of Adrian. The next year they moved just north of here on what is yet known as the old Salsbury place. Aug. 14, 1845, Mr. Salsbury was married to Hester Byrd Ely, his now mourning wife, and they settled on a farm in Gorham twp. O. there they resided until 1865, when they removed to Seneca township, on farms in which they have since lived. Of their seven children only three are yet living -- Nathan Salsbury, Mrs. Thos. (Catherine E.) Hayward (Aunt Kate) and Mrs. Jay (Ida A.) Camburn; and of that pioneer family there is now but a single survivor, Daniel Salsbury, of Fort Wayne, Ind. The deceased was a good husband and parent, always a hard-working man, and respected for his honest of action. He possessed such a friendly, jovial disposition that his friends were many, and he will certainly be much missed in this neighborhood. (Typist – He died March 30, 1889. His parents were Daniel and Elizabeth Seeley Salsbury) &&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&& Mrs. John (Hester) Salsbury soon followed her husband. On March 30th last John Salsbury, a Seneca pioneer, fell dead in this village, and now so soon, after the lapse of only about two months, he is followed to the grave by his beloved wife. At the time of his sudden death Mrs. Salsbury was in poor health, and last Sabbath she died of congestion of the lungs. Long united in life, they were but briefly separated in death. Hester B. Ely was born in Knox County, Ohio, November 24, 1826, and so lived to the age of 62 years, five months and fifteen days. Besides the surviving three children of the family, she leaves four brothers and two sisters. She was once a member of the Congregational church of Morenci, but later joined the Methodist denomination. The wife of an early settler, she did her share of work and performed the duties of a faithful wife and mother. The twice-bereaved home was where the funeral occurred on Tuesday, and Rev. H. Coats again preached there to a large gathering of sorrowing relatives and friends. Again has death soon invaded our home – the dear faces of father and mother are no more seen there. In our double bereavement we have been recipients of sympathetic help from neighbors and friends, and we wish them to know that all their kind deeds and words are not forgotten by us. Nathan Salsbury and Sisters. (Typist – Hester was the daughter of Asher and Catherine Campbell Ely, she died June 9, 1889)
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