George Backous (1861-1936)

BACKOUS, SMITH, CHEVILLE, DUESBURY, LUND

Posted By: Gail and Dennis Bell
Date: 5/19/2005 at 22:58:51

MAXWELL TRIBUNE, Maxwell, Iowa, Thursday, September 24, 1936, page 1. "GEORGE BACKOUS - George Backous was born at Yorkshire, England, March 18, 1861. He was united in marriage to Elizabeth Smith in the year 1894. To this union was born three children, Harold Oxley Backous, of Maxwell; Walter Backous, of Ankeny; Geo. William Backous, of Nevada. His wife preceded him in death in England in the year 1900. On April 26, 1906, he came with his boys, to the United States and settled near Maxwell in the Peoria neighborhood, where he lived until his death which occurred September 16th, 1936, the result of a stroke of apoplexy, at the age of 75 years, 4 months and 21 days. He leaves to mourn his death his three sons, Harold, Walter and George; four brothers, John, of Cambridge; Arthur, of Ames; Walter, of Omak, Wash.; William, of Wetonka, S. D.; and three sisters, Mrs. Geo. Cheville, of Rhodes; Mrs. Thos. Duesbury, of Collins, and Miss Emma Lund, of Yorkshire, England; also a number of other relatives including five grandchildren, and a host of friends. Mr. Backous was a good father and neighbor and will be missed by all who knew him. Funeral services were held at the Maxwell Methodist church Friday afternoon at 2 o'clock, conducted by C. E. Lookingbill, of Nevada. The singing was by Mrs. Ray Gooden, with Mrs. N. A. Pearson as piano accompanist. Interment was in the Peoria cemetery. CARD OF THANKS - We wish to thank all the neighbors and friends for their kindness and sympathy offered during the illness and passing of our beloved father. Signed - H. O. Backous, Geo. W. Backous and Family."

Nevada Public Library obituary file, Nevada, Iowa. AMES MILEPOST, September 23 1936. “GEORGE BACKUS. – George Backus Sr., 73, pioneer of the Peoria neighborhood south of Maxwell, died very suddenly at his farm home early Wednesday from a stroke of apoplexy. The funeral services were held Friday afternoon at 2:00 at the Methodist Episcopal church in Maxwell, and burial was in the Peoria cemetery. Mr. Backus, a native of England, came to America many years ago and was one of the well known farmers and stockmen in the community south of Maxwell. He leaves three sons, one of whom was living with him when death summoned him. The sons are Harold, Walter and George. Others surviving are four brothers, John Backus of Cambridge, Arthur Backus of Ames, Walter Backus of Omah, Wash., William Backus of Wetonka, S. D., four sisters, Mrs. George Cheville, of Rhodes; Mrs. Thomas Duesbury, Collins, Mrs. George Tomlinson and Emma Lund, Yorkshire, England; five grandchildren and other relatives and friends.”

BURIAL: POLK COUNTY, IOWA CEMETERIES OF WASHINGTON TWP, # 0178, Geneal * F 627.P7 C4 V.6, Peoria Cemetery, page 1. BACKOUS, George, born 1863, died 1936, sec. CS, tier 3, row 6.