Manson Franklin Backus

Because of our mutual ancestors, Mr. Backus has forged the path for a possible Mayflower Descendants' membership.

 "A Volume of Memoirs and Genealogy of Representative Citizens of the City of Seattle and county of King, Washington..." has a brief biography of Manson Franklin Backus that mentioned John Backus:

"John Backus, the grandfather of our subject, was born in Washington county [NY], in that state, whence he early removed to Livingston county.  Here he followed the life of a frugal, industrious farmer, and attained the advanced age of eighty-eight years."

Manson F. Backus's father, Clinton Theron Backus, was the half-brother of my 3rd great-grandmother, Laura A. (Backus) Richmond.  Our lines are identical except for the highlighted entries in the Abridged Compendium, by Frederick Virkus (added links):


BACKUS, Manson Franklin, b S. Livonia, N.Y., May 11, 1853. 
8-William Backus (qv);
7-Stephen (d 1695), m 1666, Sarah Spencer;
6-Timothy (1682-1762), m 1708/09, Sarah Post;
5-John (1720-before ^1790), m 1746, Joanna Cleveland, widow of Uriah Downing;
4-John (1747-1842), soldier Am. Rev., m 1769, Jerusha Baker;
3-John (1772-1862), m 3d, Philena (Stebbins) Richardson.
10-Stephen Hopkins (qv);
9-Constance (d 1677), m Nicholas Snow (d 1676);
8-Mary (b 1630), m ca. 1650, Thomas Paine (Thomas 9, Plymouth, Mass., 1622);
7-Elisha (1659-1735), m 1685, Rebecca Doane;
6-Rebecca, m Edward Cleveland;
5-Joanna (b 1717), as Widow Downing, m 2d, 1746, John Backus (5 above).
2-Son of Clinton Theron Backus (1827-97), banker, farmer, manufacturer, Union Springs, N.Y. , m 1851, Harriet Newel Groesbeck (1828-54); m 2d, 1855, Nancy Ellen Decker (1828-1904)

I'm grateful for M.F. Backus's genealogical activity.  "Mr. Backus' present social activities include membership in the...Massachusetts Society of Mayflower Descendants...". [Source]