22 October 2013

John Backus's Woes


For His Wife's Sake Desperate Man Leaps Sixty Feet To Death. John W. Backus Commits Suicide.

He was NOT a member of  my Backus family.

John W. Backus leapt to death over financial woes
wife (Sophia) brother Gottlieb (or perhaps Gottfried - died 5 years earlier)...formerly of Michigan and in lumber business
Age 63
4 children, oldest age 14
In Portland, Oregon for 7 years
Established glove factory that failed
d. Oct 22, 1897
[Source - a paid site]


Date: 1897-10-23
Paper: Oregonian
Source: NewsBank and/or the American Antiquarian Society. 2004. 



His memorial at FindAGrave.


United States Census, 1940
Wilsonville, Wilsonville Election Precinct, Clackamas, Oregon
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Luther W Vanfleet M 53 Illinois
Wife Marguerite Vanfleet F 53 Michigan
Mother-in-law Sophie Backus F 83 Pennsylvania


United States Census, 1900
Portland city Ward 8, Multnomah, Oregon
Household Gender Age Birthplace
Head Sophie Backes F 44 Michigan
Son Walter Backes M 19 Michigan
Daughter Margaret Backes F 14 Michigan
Daughter Luise Backes F 10 Oregon
Daughter Minnie Backes F 9 Oregon


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