monroe salisbury
Very little is known about Monroe Salisbury's early life except that he was thought to have been born circa 1837 in Evans, Erie County, New York and settled in Chicago before 1871. For a time he was a partner in the real estate business with Marshall Field. He then moved to the West Coast to open a stage coach line and there became interested in horses. Salisbury proved to be an excellent horseman and with the help of some good horses, he became tops as a trainer and developer of champions, training over the famed Pleasanton, California track. Known as "The Kingmaker," Salisbury was responsible for the popularity and reputation of the Director family - Direct, Directum, Directly, Azote, Blind Jib and many others. Monroe Salisbury died in New York City in 1907.
Published in the Harness Racing Museum's 1992 book, The Immortals