| Notes |
On the 1911 Census of Dunnville, Haldimand, Ontario are:
Backus Arthur, 52 Forest Street, Male, Head, Married, Born September 1888, Aged 22, Born Ontario, Scotch, Canadian, Methodist, Canner
Backus Ethel, Female, Wife, Married, Born December 1888, Aged 22, Born Ontario, English, Canadian, Methdodist
Obituary - ARTHUR E. BACKUS PASSED AWAY SUNDAY
Had Been in Failing Health for Several Years - Was Highly Esteemed Citizen of Dunnville
It was with feelings of surprise and deep sorrow that the many friends of Arthur Eugene Backus learned of his death on Sunday, in his 51st year. Art was certainly one of the most popular residents of the town of Dunnville, and was very widely known, and in his passing leaves a gap that will be hard indeed to fill.
Arthur E. Backus was born in Picton, a son of the late John and Eva Backus, on October 17th 1888. In May, 1911, he married Miss Ethel Wanamaker, daughter of the late Jacob and Mary Wanamaker, and immediately after this Mr. and Mrs. Backus moved to Dunnville, where Art accepted a position under B. L. Edgecombe in the old Lalor canning factory. In 1912 Messrs. Scott and Edgecombe opened the Ford garage, and three years later, in 1915, Mr. Backus went to the garage, and for several years was chief mechanic there.
Mr. Backus joined Emerald Lodge, I.O.O.F., soon after coming to Dunnville, and went through all the chairs. He was financial secretary of the lodge for many years, taking over the office when the late William Gray left Dunnville. He was also a member of the Picton Court, Independent Order of Foresters. He was a member of Grace United Church. His nature, which was both quiet and generous, endeared him to all with whom he came in contact. Mr. Backus had been in failing health for several years, but was confined to his bed only a few days prior to his death. He is survived by his widow, one son, Thomas of Port Maitland; one daughter, Blanche, at home; two sisters, Mrs. T. Skeele of Rochester, N. Y.; Mrs. L. Allen of Guelph; an uncle, John B. Davis of Picton, and four grandchildren.
At the funeral, which was held from his late residence, Cross St., on Tuesday afternoon, Feb. 14th, Emerald Lodge, I.O.O.F., attended in a body. The church services were conducted by Rev. J. W. Schefield, and the Oddfellow ritual was read by Stan Lyons, N. G., and Arthur Dayman, Chaplain. The pallbearers were J. N. Allan, Thos. Camelford, B. L. Edgecombe, Roy Miller, Roy Teeft and J. C. Leavey. The floral tributes were beautiful and in great profusion, and were carried by more than twenty of Mr. Backus' lodge brethern. Interment was in Dunnville Riverside Cemetery.
Sleep on, O friend, until thy wakening day,
And ever we, who loved thy presence here,
Will keep for thee, through changes manifold
A tender memory, growing with the years.
From - The Dunnville Chronicle
Old Bill's Column
ART BACKUS LEAVES ENVIABLE RECORD
Another of our finest citizens has passed on, in the person of Art Backus. He was universally liked, and was held in the highest esteem for many sterling qualities that attracted and held all his life an unusually large circle of close personal friends. A devoted husband and father, who lived up to his family responsibilities with loyalty and pride; a worker in a life's vocation that was well marked by his faithfulness to the interests of his employers, and valued for the whole-hearted service he was able to give so self-sacrificially in his lodge and other community associations, his untimely death leaves a host of fellow citizens who deeply regret his passing, and that such a useful life has been ended. We pass on to the bereaved our sincere sympathy in their darkest hour, and the comfort is theirs without stint that can be had from the knowledge that Art Backus' enviable record has been a tangible, appreciated factor in the lives of so many others.
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Rainham Builders
1887 - 1939 (51 years)