This biography of Vancouver Alderman W. F. Salsbury was originally published in the Vancouver Daily World of December 31, 1888, and transcribed by volunteer Lesley H. in May of 2018.
As a representative for Ward I, came out at the recent election in that ward at the head of the poll, which fact of itself speaks clearly of the very high opinion the electors have of him and the great hopes with which they look forward to his actions and good judgment in the Council. Mr. Salsbury was born at the pretty suburb of Kew, in the County of Surrey, England, within a few minutes ride by train of the “little village,” the metropolis of the world, in the year 1847. In his whole career he has shown a remarkable adaptability for figures, which faculty evinced itself at the early age of 4, his memory in that respect being perfectly wonderful, a qualification which we think should certainly cause his being appointed Chairman of the Finance Committee of the new Council. He entered railway life at the early age of 12, and was for some time in the service of the London, Brighton and South Coast Railroad. In the year 1870 he emigrated to Canada and entered the Treasurer’s Department of the Grand Trunk Railway under Mr. Hickson. Later, in 1881, he passed into the service of the Canadian Pacific Railway Company. He landed in this Province in July, 1886, on the first through overland train. Mr. Salsbury has worked hard all his life, and his training is sure to be of the greatest service to him in dealing with any intricate points which may require his attention in the new Council. He has invested considerably in the city, and may be considered one of Vancouver’s solid, broad-minded, go-ahead citizens.
