Norfolk Man to
Mark 84th Birthday
John C. Backus, a life-long and
highly esteemed resident of Port Rowan, will observe his 84th birthday
at his home, Prospect Hill, on Monday, 17 Jan 1955.
Born on the old homestead, two
miles north of Port Rowan, he is the last surviving member of the
family of John H. Backus and Sarah
Dedrick, both members of well-known pioneer families, and a
descendant on the Dedrick side of United Empire Loyalists.
Mrs. Backus' great-grandfather,
Lucas Dedrick, planted the first wheat field in Norfolk County, where Bayview
Cemetery now stands on the shore of the bay.
The family has traced its
ancestors back to the time when William Backus formed the Masonic
Lodge in Scotland during the reign of Edward I in 1540.
John C. Backus'
great-grandfather came from Yorkshire, England, in 1791 and was a
relative of the late Sir Roger Backus, First Sea Lord of the Royal
Navy, while his grandmother was a sister of Charles Haddon Spurgeon,
one of the greatest evangelist of his day in England.
The saw and grist mill now
operated by John C. Backus and his son is 136 years old and was
established in 1798 on land granted by the Crown to an ancestor of the
present owner. It is the oldest mill in operation in the Dominion of
Canada.
It was in 1786 that John Backus
came from England and six years later was granted 600 acres of Crown
land in the York district at the first council meeting of Lieutenant
Governor Simcoe, held near Toronto.
With an unlimited amount of
timber available he erected the first mill. Operation of the mill was
taken over by the founder's son, Thomas Backus, and later by the
latter's son, John H. Backus.
John C. Backus, the present
owner, then took it over and it has been lately operated by his elder
son, John H. Backus Jr., the sixth [sic] generation of the
family.
The holding consists of 1200
acres of land, some of it being heavily timbered while some is under
cultivation for tobacco growing. The present dwelling, a sturdy brick
structure of 15 rooms, was built more than 100 years ago.
Each year an estimated 5000
maple trees are tapped on the farm which has a timber limit of 500
acres, which has been conservatively cut for more than 150 years. It
is now in its second growth and is a great asset to the community. It
keeps up the water level in the soil, is a bird sanctuary and a game
preserve. It regulates temperature and is a wind-break to the
surrounding area.
The flour mill has undergone
extensive repairs and has, until just lately, been under the
management of John H. Backus Jr., while his brother, George Backus, is
in charge of the lumber business.
A third son, Thomas Backus is a
radio expert and has constructed a television set at his home, while
deep sea diving is another hobby.
John C. Backus has been an
active member of the Masonic Lodge No. 174
A.F. & A.M. and four years ago was presented with a 50-year
medal.
He is also a staunch supporter of the Baptist Church, as were his
parents and grandparents. He is a member of the Norfolk Historical
Society.
Forty-two years ago he was
married to Miss Florence C. Backus of Boston, Mass., a high school
teacher and a musician of note.
There are four children, Mrs.
Harry Gehring, Vancouver, B.C.,
John H. Backus, George A. and Thomas, Port Rowan, also
four grandchildren, John and Janet Gehring, Vancouver,
Ruth-Anne and John Backus Jr., Port Rowan.
There were two sisters, Dr.
Annie Backus, who passed away 14 years ago, and Mrs. Minnie
Swayze, who died ten years ago.
Mr. Backus is enjoying good
health and is very active for his four score and four years.
