HON. WILLIAM W. BACKUS
Norwich.
William W. Backus, the son of James and Dorothy Church Chandler Backus of Woodstock, was the sixth of a family of eight children, and at the time of his father’s death was but thirteen years of age, - having been born October 22, 1803. His mother was the daughter of Charles Church Chandler, a member of the Windham county bar, and one of the leading lawyers at the bar of the state. His whole life has been spent in Norwich, except part of the year 1819 spent in Marietta, Ohio, in the mercantile establishment of Dudley Woodbridge, Jr. Ill health necessitated his return to Norwich, where, since 1819, he has resided at the home of his ancestors, completing seven generations. His time has been spent mainly in farm operations, causing the old farm, with large additions, to bud and blossom, raising large crops of corn, rye, potatoes, grass, etc.; keeping a large amount of stock - annually fattening one hundred head and buying and selling many more. His losses have been many and his gains considerable - some losses and some gains all the time. An eager student, he worked days and studied nights after going to bed - sometimes into the small hours. His genealogical researches have been tireless, and he has recently published an exhaustive record of the Backus family in a book of about 400 pages, including memoirs, poems, and many other papers of general interest beyond the limits of the family involved. Mr. Backus is a gentleman of large means, and his private charities and public benefactions illustrate his wisely philanthropic disposition. His recent gift of $75,000 toward the founding of the W. W. Backus hospital in Norwich is an example of his practical sympathy for the unfortunate and distressed. He is now living quietly at his home in Norwich in fairly comfortable health, though bent under the burden of nearly ninety years.
Source: Illustrated Popular Biography of Connecticut - 1891, Compiled and Published by J. A. Spalding, Hartford Conn., Press of the Case, Lockwood and Brainard Company, 1891
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