Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-04-07


Hon. Willard Salisbury, chancellor of
the State of Delaware since 1873, and
United States senator from 1859 to 1871,
was born in Mispillon hundred, Kent
county, Delaware. June ID, 1870. William
Salisbury, his father, was a man of strong
character, sterling worth and commanding
iniiuencein the community where he lived.
Ills mother, Margaret salisbury, was a
daughter of Captain Thomas Smith. She
was q most exemplary woman and pos.
sessed great mental power, marked
characteristic of her distinguished son,
two of whose brothers, the late Dir. Cove
SaulsburN governor of Delaware, and
Hon. Eli salisbury, n senator in Congress
OF the United States from 1871 to 1889, also
attained national reputation.
The early years of Chancellor Salisbury
were spent on his fathers farm. and the
rudments Of his education acquired at the
schools in the vicinity of his home. At Is
years he was sent to All academy at
Denton, Caroline county, Maryland, re-
manning two years. He then spent one
year as student in Delaware College, AT
Newark, and one year at Dickinson Col
lege, Carlisle, Pa. At the age of about %
years he became student-at-law under the
direction of James NJ. Bartol, late chief
Justice of the courts of Maryland, and
completed his legal studies in the office of
Hon. Martin W. Bates, being adj
mitted to the bar at Dover, Delaware,
in April, 1915. Immediately after his
admission to practice Mr.. Salisbury opened
law office in Georgetown, the county seat
of Sussex, where, by his adaptability to
his profession, his native energy and strong
intellectual powers, he soon became the
acknowledged leader of the Sussex bar
BY his studious habits he laid the founda-
ton broad and deep for the solid super
structure of after years. He early became
hq nd nj tfxr, nytth ~ ,1,
the large business entrusted to him was
managed, and as natural consequence he
made rapid progress in the ranks of his
profession and soon became known
throughout his native State. as an able advo-
cate, an eloquent speaker and young man
of brilliant promise.
In 1850, five years after his admission to
the bar, Governor Tharp appointed Mr..
salisbury Encouragement Of Delaware.
This position gave him an excellent oppor-
tunity to develop his strong natural
powers. Being quick and accurate judge
of character, ready and skilful in the per-
Torrance of legal duties and persuasive
and convincing in argument, he filled the
constitutional term of five years in that
office with eminent satisfaction. He then
returned to his practice. In the meantime
he took an active interest in the dolitics of
, his State and nation, and became the most
conspicuous political orator in Delaware.
He was delegate, in 1856 to the national
Democratic convention which nominated
James Buchanan for President of the
United States.
In January, 1850, ne was elected by the
Democratic party to the United States
Senate. Nature gave to Senator Salisbury
powerful voice, pleasing presence.
strong physical constitution and a mag
nihcent, robust form. These qualities, to-
gether with well-trained and well-stored
s.1 - IL.
him conspicuous figure in Congress. He
was able to cope in his oratorical encoun.
tiers with the great intellectual lights of the
Senate during that eventful period. With
irresistible energy, keen powers of logic
and great force Of thought, he opposed all
measures which eventually caused war for
the preservation of the union. He dis
cussed in the Senate many intricate ques-
tons during that crisis, producing argu-
ments which, in the light of subsequent
events, illustrated the greatest foresight
and the most renowned patriotism.
He was reelected to the United States
Senate in 1865, and served in that body
until 1871, period of II years, and then
returned to his home in Georgetown.
In 1874, he moved to Dover, where be
resided up to the time of his death. Cover
nor Ponder, on November Sd, 1878, APP
pointed him chancellor of the State of
Delaware, which office he filled with emf
nent ability. He was endowed with great
versatility of powers, and being deeply
versed in the principles underlying the
science of the law, his career as jurist
was marked and prominent. When in the
fulliiess of his intellectual vigor, Chancel-
lor Salisbury had an extraordinary
capacity for work, his mind operating
with exceptional accuracy and quickness.
He has been known TO dictate to two per.
sons at the same time on intricate and
abstuse points of law, and keep both writ
ing with rapidity.
His greatest forensic effort in the highest
tribunal of the land, when engaged in eS-
citing intellectual combats with the states
I men of that day, were fortified with