J. A. SALISBURY, veterinary surgeon, Delaware, Ohio, is a native of Marion county, this State, born October 27, 1847.  His parents, Ephraim and Emily (Daggett) Salisbury, were descended from New England ancestors.  When he was five years of age the family came to Delaware county and located on a farm in Troy township, where the father died in 1868.  The mother died in Marion county in 1886.
     Dr. Salisbury grew up on his father’s farm, spending his winters in attendance at the district schools and later taking a course and graduating in the Delaware high school.  After completing his education he turned his attention to buying and selling horses and followed that business for a number of years.  Early in life he took up the study of veterinary medicine, which he practiced in connection with his farming and horse dealing, although not a graduate of any school; but in 1888 he entered the New York College of Veterinary Surgeons, where he took a thorough course, and in 1882 he gave up farming altogether and devoted his time to dealing in horses and to the practice of his profession.  His practice so increased that, in 1890, he found it necessary to give his entire attention to it.  In 1893 he established a hospital in Delaware for sick and lame horses, where he can accommodate from six to eight head, and in connection with this hospital he also runs a feed barn.  He has met with eminent success in his practice and has gained an enviable reputation as a skilled veterinary surgeon.
     The Doctor is a member of the Knights of Pythias, Lenape Lodge, No. 29, and also of the National Union.  During the war, although a mere lad in his ’teens, he enlisted, in 1864, in Company E, One Hundred and Forty-fifth Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and served until he was mustered out, at Washington, in July, 1865.  He is a member of George B. Torrence Post, No. 60, G. A. R.
     Dr. Salisbury was married in Delaware, January 27, 1866, to Miss Isabell Durfey.  Their pleasant residence is at No. 98 North Sandusky street.  Both he and his wife are members of the Presbyterian Church.
     Politically the Doctor is a Republican.
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, p. 436
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

DRS. W. M. and E. M. SEMANS are prominent young physicians of Delaware county, Ohio, successfully engaged in the practice of their chosen profession, receiving a very liberal patronage which is well merited.
     These gentlemen are sons of Professor W. O. Semans, well known in this city.  Their grandfather, William Semans, was a native of Virginia, emigrated to Ohio at an early day and was widely known as an eminent lawyer.  Professor Semans was born in the Buckeye State in 1835, and, having attended the Ohio Wesleyan University, was graduated from that institution in the class of 1857.  His fine literary attainments and mental ability were recognized by his teachers and soon after he was engaged as a member of the faculty of the school in which he had so recently been a pupil.  Later, he was for some time absent from Delaware, being engaged in business with his father elsewhere.  Upon his return he became a professor in the Western Female College, which position he acceptably filled for two years.  He was then tendered and accepted the professorship of chemistry and physics in the Ohio Wesleyan University, and is still a member of the college faculty.  Throughout the State he is known as a most able educator, and his long service in connection with the educational institutions of Delaware shows the high regard which the citizens of this place have for his ability.  Professor Semans married Abigail Merrick, who was born and reared in Massachusetts, and they have four children, three sons and one daughter, W. H. being the oldest and E. M. the second born.
     W. M. Semans, the well-known physician whose name appears at the head of this review, was born in Massachusetts, December 29, 1861, and received excellent educational advantages, all of which he improved, and, taking up the study of medicine, he was graduated from the Medical College of Cincinnati in 1887.  During the three succeeding years he was assistant physician in the Toledo Insane Asylum.  In December, 1890, he located in Delaware, where he and his brother have since conducted a paying and constantly increasing business.  In 1891 he led to the marriage altar Miss Jessie Freeman, the accomplished daughter of Edward Freeman, of Delaware.
     E. M. Semans is one of the native sons of Delaware, born October 26, 1863, and his entire life has here been passed.  He is a graduate of the Ohio Wesleyan University, the class of 1886, and graduated from the Medical College of Cincinnati in 1890, after a thorough course of study which well fitted him for his chosen life-work.  Immediately after completing the course he joined his brother in business and they now have a very enviable reputation and a practice which many an older physician might well desire.  That they are appreciated here is fully evidenced by their great popularity.  The elder brother was secretary of the Delaware County Medical Society during its existence and both occupy a foremost rank among their professional brethren.
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, p. 482
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

JOHN A. SHOEMAKER has the honor of being a native of Delaware county and is numbered among its leading and representative citizens.  He was born on the 22d of September, 1856, near Ashley, and is a son of Frank and Chloe (Smith) Shoemaker, a sketch of whom appears below.  With the usual experiences of farm life he grew to manhood, and on attaining the proper age, he entered the public schools, where he manifested special aptitude for his studies until at the early age of seventeen he was fitted for the profession of teaching and took charge of his first school.  He was very successful in this profession, which he continued to follow through each winter season until called to public office, the last two years of his school work being Superintendent of the schools at Ostrander, Ohio.  He also attended Normal school in Worthington, Ohio, for two terms, defraying his expenses with money earned in teaching.  In the fall of 1887 he was nominated and elected to the office of County Clerk, his ability and worth being recognized by his fellow citizens, and that their confidence was not misplaced was shown by his faithful and prompt performance of duty.  So well did he administer the affairs of the office that he was re-elected in the autumn of 1890, and on the expiration of his second term, he was appointed by the County Commissioners for a short term of six months.  At the election to his second term he ran ahead of his ticket in all but two precincts in the county,—a fact which certainly indicates great personal popularity and the high regard in which he is held by those who know him.  He is a warm advocate of the principles of the Republican party and does all in his power to advance its interests and insure its success.
     On the 5th of September, 1888, was celebrated the marriage of Mr. Shoemaker and Miss Carrie, the accomplished daughter of William H. and Mary (Richey) Loveless, at New Dover, Union county, Ohio, and their union is blessed with two children who are yet living,—Mary and Grace, while they lost one in infancy.  This worthy couple have a wide acquaintance throughout the county and in social circles hold an enviable position where true worth and intelligence are received as the passports into good society.  Having always taken an active interest in the educational affairs of his native county, in the year 1888 Mr. Shoemaker was appointed School Examiner for the city of Delaware for the period of three years, and his reappointment in 1891 and again in 1894 are evidence of his qualifications for the office which he is still filling.
     Both Mr. and Mrs. Shoemaker are members of Williams Street Methodist Episcopal Church of Delaware, Ohio, and have been for several years.
     On retiring to private life in 1894, Mr. Shoemaker formed a partnership with William H. H. Wood and embarked in the grocery business, which he is now carrying on with good success, having, by fair and honest dealing and an earnest desire to please his customers, won a liberal patronage, of which he is well deserving.  He also owns a finely improved farm in Oxford township, Delaware county, comprising 106 acres of rich and valuable land, and this adds materially to his income.  He possesses good business ability and is a pleasant, genial man and good citizen, whose friends in the community are many.  Socially he is connected with the Odd Fellows’ lodge of Ashley, Ohio, and has passed all its chairs.  He also holds membership with Lenape Lodge, No. 29, K. P., of Delaware, and is now the Keeper of Records and Seals in that order, a position which he has filled for four years.
     Frank Shoemaker, the father of the subject of this sketch, is a well-known and prosperous farmer of Delaware county, living near Leonardsburg, and is the fourth son in a family of seven children.  He was born in Delaware county, November 17, 1833, and is a son of John Shoemaker, a native of Bedford county, Pennsylvania, born in 1801.  During his childhood days he accompanied his parents to Ohio, where in the usual manner of farmer lads he was reared, and his early experiences in the Ohio wilds were the privations that usually beset the path of the pioneer.  He wedded Jane Jenkins, a native of Virginia, born in 1809, who removed to Ohio early in the present century.  While yet in the prime of life, John Shoemaker was killed by a falling tree, after which his widow, by her own labor and the income derived from the small farm, supported her children, rearing them to maturity.
     Frank Shoemaker was the only son and in consequence many duties and cares devolved upon his young shoulders.  He aided his mother in the operation of the home farm and worked for others, giving his wages for the support of the family until his marriage, which was celebrated on the 18th of November, 1855, the lady of his choice being Miss Chloe Smith, who was a daughter of Almond and Maria (Rodman) Smith.  Her father died when she was quite young, and her mother, being left alone with a large family to support, had recourse to weaving, which she followed steadily for many years.  Mrs. Shoemaker was born in Delaware county November 5, 1836, and by her marriage has had five children,—John A.; Orrie E., now the wife of John C. Jones; Della C., wife of Wellington C. Whipple; Oscar W., who married Maggie Williams; and Guy C., who completes the family.
     At the time of his marriage Mr. Shoemaker was in very limited circumstances, but was hopeful and ambitious, and a busy life has brought him a comfortable competence.  For several years he supported his family by day’s labor.  His work was interrupted in 1862, when he enlisted in the Union army for three years’ service as a member of Company C, Eighty-eighth Regiment of Ohio Volunteers.  When the war was over he returned to his home and purchased a farm, since which time he has carried on agricultural pursuits.  He now lives one mile north of Eden Station, where he has a pleasant home.  For many years he and his wife have been identified with the Methodist Episcopal Church, are sincere Christian people, faithful workers in the Master’s vineyard.  He is one of the unswerving Republicans of the county, and a public-spirited, progressive citizen, in whom the best interests of the community find a friend.
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 388-390
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

J. R. SIMPSON, another one of the prosperous and well-known farmers and stock-dealers of Troy township, Delaware county, Ohio, was born in Ohio county, West Virginia, near Wheeling, September 5, 1832.
     William Simpson, his father, was a native of Ohio, born in Belmont county, son of John Simpson, the latter’s native place being Washington county, Pennsylvania.  John Simpson was a millwright by trade.  He came to Ohio at an early day and built the first mill on McMans creek, in Belmont county.  The Simpsons are of Scotch-Irish descent.  The mother of J. R. Simpson, whose maiden name was Elizabeth Burns, was a native of West Virginia and a daughter of Walter Burns, who was of Irish descent, Mr. Burns being a native of Ohio.  Our subject’s parents were married in West Virginia, and lived on a farm there a few years after their marriage.  About 1838 they removed to a farm in Belmont county, Ohio, where they spent the rest of their lives and died, his death occurring in 1861, at the age of fifty-five years, and hers in 1887, at the age of sixty-four years.  They were the parents of twelve children, four daughters and eight sons, eight of whom reached adult years and are still living, viz.: J. R.; John, of Nebraska; Denney, of Kansas; Walter, who resides on the old home place in Belmont county; Angeline Farmer, of Howell, Missouri; Elizabeth, wife of Middleton Bent, of St. Clairsville, Ohio; Henry, Mansfield, Ohio; and William, Belmont, Ohio.
     J. R. Simpson, the oldest of this family, was about six years of age when he came to Ohio with his parents, and in Belmont county he was reared and educated, growing up on his father’s farm.  After his marriage he spent eight years on a farm in that county, and from there removed to his present location in Delaware county.  Here he owns a fine farm of 237 acres.  For some time he gave his attention to the sheep business, but is now making a specialty of raising fine horses.  In 1890 he erected a fine barn, at a cost of $1,400.
     Mr. Simpson was married March 10, 1859, to Eliza Jane Glover, who was born in Belmont county, Ohio, March 5, 1837, a daughter of Samuel and Eliza (McKison) Glover, she being the third of their nine children.  Mrs. Simpson died January 23, 1891.  She was the mother of six children, namely: Mary; Amos, deceased; Denney, a farmer of Brown township, this county; Edward W., at home; James B., attending dental college at Chicago; and Louis B., who is studying medicine and resides at home.
     Mr. Simpson is a member of the Presbyterian Church, and in his political affiliations is a Republican.  He has served as Township Trustee.  During the civil war he was a Union soldier, enlisting in 1861 in the 100 days’ service and serving as a private.
     Such is a brief sketch of the life of one of Delaware county’s representative farmers.
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 304-305
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

C. J. SLOUGH.––Success in any line of occupation, in any avenue of business, is not a matter of spontaneity, but is the legitimate off-spring of subjective effort in the proper utilization of the means at hand, the improvement of opportunity and the exercise of the highest functions made possible by the specific ability in any case.  In view of this condition the study of biography becomes valuable and its lessons of practical use.  To trace the history of a successful life, be it in the electrical world of business, where competition is rife; in the intellectual field, whose devotees open up the wider realms of knowledge; in a public sphere, where is directed the course of government and the policies formed that sway nations; or in the calm and peaceful pursuits which have to do with the source of all supplies, the base of all human achievement,—the calling forth from mother earth her benefices and goodly returns,—must ever prove profitable and satisfying indulgence, for the history of the individual is the history of the nation; the history of the nation that of the world.
     Under the last element of this category may we direct attention to him whose name initiates this review,—a man who has not been denied a full measure of success; whose military record is one of honor, and whose private life has not been unworthy of emulation.
     A native of Delaware township, Delaware county, Ohio, Mr. Slough was born October 15, 1844, the son of Joseph and Sarah (Trout) Slough, the former of whom was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, December 15, 1810, his wife being also a native of the old Keystone State.  Joseph Slough came to Ohio in 1831, locating in Delaware county, where his marriage was consummated soon after.  The mother of our subject died in 1848, leaving four children: Mrs. Sarah A. Baker, of Toledo, Ohio; Mrs. Harriet E. Webster, of Chicago; C. J., subject of this review; and Jonathan, a resident of Chicago.  The father afterward married Mary A. Nye, who survives him, his death having occurred in 1872.  He was a Republican in his political views and was an official in the Methodist Episcopal Church.
     Our subject grew to maturity in Delaware county, securing such educational advantages as were afforded by the schools in the vicinity of his home and assisting in carrying on the work of the paternal farmstead.      February 12, 1862, at the age of eighteen years, Mr. Slough enlisted for service in the late war, entering Company I, Eighty-second Ohio Volunteer Infantry, and serving until the close of the war.  Under General McDowell he participated in the battles of Port Republic, Cross Keys, second battle of Bull Run; was wounded at Gettysburg, again at Chancellorsville, and finally, at Canfield, received such serious wounds in the left thigh and right hip as to necessitate his confinement in the hospitals at Baltimore and Falmouth for a period of five months.  During his term of service Mr. Slough walked more than 2, 500 miles.  He was discharged May 20, 1865, as First Sargeant [sic], and then returned to his home in Delaware township, where he remained until the spring of 1872, when he took up his residence on his present farm in Berlin township, the place comprising 600 acres.  In 1891 he erected a handsome modern residence, at a cost of $4,000, the same being one of the finest country homes in the county.  Mr. Slough pins his faith to the principles and policies advocated by the Republican party, and he has held the township offices of Trustee and Clerk.  Fraternally he retains a membership in the Union Delaware League and the Knights of Pythias.
     October 11, 1871, was celebrated the marriage of our subject to Miss Cynthia R., a daughter of George and Mercy (Andrews) Ridgeway, the former of whom was a native of Putnam county, New York, where he was born October 8, 1823; the latter, who was the daughter of Timothy Andrews, was born in Berlin township, this county.  George Ridgeway was the son of Isaac and Martha (Adams) Ridgeway; he came to Delaware county at the age of twelve years, and eventually became one of the prominent stockmen of the locality.  He and his wife were the parents of two children: Cynthia R. and Josephine R.  The mother died in 1859, and the father survived her a number of years.
     Mr. and Mrs. Slough had two children: Myrtle J. and Carrie B.  Mrs. Slough was called to eternal rest October 15, 1888, mourned by a large circle of devoted friends.  October 22, 1891, Mr. Slough wedded Josephine Ridgeway, sister of his deceased wife.  They have one child, Mildred Eveline.
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 454-456
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

JOHN SPEARMAN, a farmer of Porter township, Delaware county, was born in Devonshire, England, January 21, 1839, a son of Richard and Grace (Snow) Spearman, natives also of that place.  They were the parents of twelve children, nine now living, viz.: Richard, in England; Mary Ann, of London; Susan, wife of John Lane, of this township; Persilla Sanders, of Condit, Ohio: Grace, of England; John, our subject; William, of Condit; and Mulford, of Rich Hill, this State.  Two sons, George and Thomas, were cattle drivers for General Sherman and the former died at Nashville, Tennessee, and the latter at Mt. Vernon, Ohio.  Richard Spearman died in Ohio at the age of ninety years.  His wife died at Devonshire, England, in 1865.
    John Spearman spent his boyhood days on a farm at his native place, was afterward engaged as a shop and errand boy for a butcher and market man, and next went to sea.  He landed at Quebec in 1857, and, after spending four years in Canada, came to Ohio.  October 1, 1861, Mr. Spearman enlisted in Company F, Forty-third Ohio Volunteer Infantry.  He took part in the battles of New Madrid, Island No. 10, Corinth, Iuca, Farmington, Fort Pillow, Oxford, Holly Springs, Bolivar, Bethel, Nashville, Tuscomby, Memphis, Prospect Station, Decatur, Resaca, Kingston, Altona, Big Shanty, Kenesaw Mountain, and Peach Tree Creek.  At the battle of Atlanta, July 27, 1864, Mr. Spearman was wounded in the left temple, after which he spent some time in the field hospital, and later was at Marietta hospital.  Joining his regiment at Beaufort, South Carolina, he was honorably discharged at Pocotaligo, that State, January 17, 1865.  After returning home he located on his farm of 132 acres, where he is engaged in general farming and stock raising.
     Mr. Spearman was married July 3, 1878, to Martha Ellen Downing, a native of Licking county, Ohio, and a daughter of Roswell Downing, a native of Pennsylvania.  To that union were born three sons: John Rich, Thomas Taylor, and Harrison.  The last named died at the age of four months.  The wife and mother departed this life in 1883.  In 1885 Mr. Spearman was united in marriage to Mary A. Cann, a native of Devonshire, England, and a daughter of James and Susan (Spearman) Cann, both of whom died in England in 1875.  They were the parents of five children: George, Mary, Elizabeth, Grace, and Hannah.  Mr. and Mrs. Spearman have had three children: George Lewis, William James, and one deceased in infancy.  Mr. Spearman affiliates with the Republican party, and is a member of the Masonic order, Sparrow Lodge, No. 400, A. F. & A. M., of Sunbury.
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 78-79
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

CEPTER STARK is a native of Kingston township, Delaware county, and one of its representative farmers.  He was born April 14, 1830, and is a son of Oliver and Eliza (Patrick) Stark.  His mother was the first white child born in Kingston township, and now resides on a farm adjoining our subject, at the age of eighty-four years.  Oliver Stark claims Pennsylvania as the State of his nativity, and there he remained until he had attained his majority, when he came to Ohio, locating at what is known as Stark’s Corners.  He made his first purchase of land in Porter township.  Two sons and three daughters were born to Mr. and Mrs. Stark, namely: Sarah, now deceased; Mary, wife of James Sherman, an agriculturist of Delaware county; Angeline, wife of De Lacy Walton, a resident of Kingston township; Joseph, of the same township; and the subject of this sketch, who is the eldest of the family.
     Cepter Stark received but limited School privileges, but his training at farm labor was not meagre.  As soon as old enough he commenced following the plow, and at the age of eighteen years began trading in stock and buying wool.  He has since carried on the latter pursuit, sometimes buying as high as 600,000 pounds of wool in one season.  He has also given considerable attention to agricultural pursuits, and at this writing owns more than 2,100 acres of rich and valuable land.
     As a companion and helpmeet on life’s journey Mr. Stark chose Miss Sylvia Benton, and their marriage, which was celebrated in 1864, was blessed with a family of two sons and three daughters: Charles, now deceased; Grace; Ethel, who is engaged in teaching; Blanche, and Bert.  The mother of this family was called to the home beyond in January, 1883, and in October of the same year Mr. Stark was again married, his second union being with Miss Nina Ross, a granddaughter of John Ross, one of the oldest settlers of Delaware county, and a daughter of William and Ellen (Whitney) Ross.  They had a family of nine children: Charles, who now resides in Delaware; Nina, wife of our subject; Madge, wife of Henry Baker, of Delaware; Wilch, deceased; Lake, wife of Frank Boyle, of Columbus, Ohio; Samuel and Tad, both of whom are located in Delaware; Allen, a resident of Columbus, Ohio; and Claude, who makes his home with his sister, Mrs. Stark.  The father of this family died in April, 1881, but his widow is still living in Delaware.
     The farm on which Mr. and Mrs. Stark reside is one of the best in this county.  Their home is an elegant modern residence, which was erected in 1883 at a cost of $5,000.  It is neatly and tastefully furnished, and the ruling spirit of the home is hospitality, which is freely extended to their many friends.  Mr. and Mrs. Stark have one son, Glenn.  The mother is a member of the Presbyterian Church.  In Mr. Stark we see a self-made man, who began life for himself empty-handed, having no capital save a bright hope of the future and a determination to succeed.  By perseverance he .has overcome the difficulties and obstacles in his path, and by industry and enterprise has steadily worked his way upward from an humble position to one of affluence.
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, pp. 249-250
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

F. A. STICKNEY, one of the well-known and leading physicians of Delaware county, was born in Union county, Ohio, in 1852, a son of Hugh and Anna (Baker) Stickney.  Our subject began the study of medicine in 1874, under Dr. E. H. Hiatt, of Delaware, and graduated at the Columbus Medical College in the class of 1880.  Since 1882 he has been successfully engaged in the practice of medicine at Kilbourne Station, Delaware county.  Dr. Stickney is now serving his second term as physician to the County Infirmary.  In political matters he is an active worker in the Republican party, and has served as a delegate to State and county conventions.  He is a charter member and Past Commander of the Knights of Pythias Lodge, No. 556.
     Dr. Stickney was married, in 1880, to Mary L. Campbell, a native of Delaware county, and a daughter of Ransom Campbell.  To this union have been born two children,—Ethel May and Edith Folsom.
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, p. 494
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.

W. W. STRATTON, manufacturer of lodge furniture, Ashley, Ohio, has been identified with the interests of Delaware county since 1880 and is one of its enterprising business men.
     Mr. Stratton was born in New York city, October 1, 1841.
Source: Memorial Record of the Counties of Delaware, Union & Morrow, Ohio; Chicago: The Lewis Publishing Co., 1895, p. 298
Contributed by a Generous Genealogist.