The Children of Axel Emanuel Backman, part 1

Esther Charlotta Backman, 21 November 1879 to 7 November 1920

Born in Salt Lake City - fashioned perhaps Great Salt Lake City, it was yet the territory, not even the capitol and less than 50 years old which seems younger every year. It is doubtful that the streets and avenues were even paved. I will have to research that a bit more. I will also have to study  further the advent of rail travel and industry, as Esther would marry a railroad man called Thomas William Murphy. Many years later it would come out that Mr. Murphy had been born Allen Benton Stevens, and the family connection came through his brother and her daughter, Nellie. Nellie's daughter tells a touching story in the memories of Esther's familysearch.org profile.

As the family of a railroad man Esther and children Nellie Mollie and William Thomas were uprooted several times, settling finally on Alhambra, California. The small family suffered the absence of husband and father due to work assignments, money being so tight that Esther took in washing and did housekeeping. 

Esther's was not a life of ease. Perhaps it wasn't unusual either, but her health suffered. She developed pleurisy. Caring for her two children solely on her own and far from her family roots Esther made the decision to return to Utah about 1920 and sought treatment there. She passed away in November of 1920 nonetheless, at about 41 years of age. Mr. Murphy seems to not have assumed his rightful role at that time, for whatever reasons. The children, though in the home of relations were virtually orphaned. Nellie returned to California after a time and William - Billy - remained with his grandparents. Both lived long lives, Nellie passing away in California and Bill in Utah.

Elen Constance Backman, 17 July 1881 to 24 September 1882,  her life being taken by cholera, a month or so before her brother, Axel Emanuel Backman, 23 November 1882 to 28 November 1882. Our kinswoman Laura Lillian Jensen located their burials in the Salt Lake City Cemetery, section K.

Gustave Emil Backman, 9 September 1884 to 14 September 1953, identified as a carpenter on  his death certificate I am certain in which endeavor. I feel certain he was one of the thousands who built the communities along the old road - connecting Salt Lake City and Davis County where the Backman family made their mark. Gustave married Pearl Steed 23 November 1882 to 15 March 1955, herself a Davis County native. Their marriage was solemnized in the Salt Lake City Temple, reflecting their active membership. They were parents to seven, four sons and three daughters: Glen Steed Backman, Vernon Allen Backman, Edna Backman, Lena Ellen Backman Willard, Alice Backman Yeiter, Horace William Backman and James Edward Backman. Gustave's obituary claimed fourteen grandchildren. Gustave and Pearl are buried in the Farmington City Cemetery.

Edyth Evelyn Backman, 1 October 1886 to 11 June 1963, married first Oliver Buckman, which marriage brought daughter Margaret Evelyn into the family in 1908. Margaret has a delightful biography in her familysearch.org profile. Oliver Buckman left the family while their daughter was quite young. Edyth married again to Joseph William Corrigan, with whom there were daughters Dorothy and  Patricia Catherine Corrigan. Patricia passed away the day she was born. 

Edyth had training as a nurse and was  head nurse of the children's ward in Garfield, Utah. Margaret's biography reports she also delivered her own sister due to no doctor being able to arrive in time. Edyth, it is told, "had a way with children." She would have six grandchildren before passing away. Edyth and Joseph Corrigan were laid to rest in Colma, San Mateo, California.

Charlotta Christina Backman

 Charlotta Christina Backman married Johan Ferdinand Abrahamsson. They hosted various family members in the migration from Sweden to Utah and came themselves, finally settling in Idaho. Carolina, her sister, did as well and Carolina's children show up in census records with Charlotta, who had no children of her own. They rest in the Little Butte Cemetery in Annis, Idaho.

Children of Johan August Backman, part Two

 Samuel Arthur Backman, 11 Apr 1892 - 10 Dec 1940, was one of the Backman brothers serving  in World War I in Europe, possibly all in France. Centerville took pride in its "boys over there". I have not found any record that especially recounts Samuel's life. His death came very early, at only forty-eight years. He  married Margaret Parenzin on 10 May 1923 in Salt Lake City, she a daughter of immigrants from Italy. They had three children born in their marriage before her death in 1936, aged 32 years old. Their first child, Samuel A. Backman, was the only surviving child. Samuel Arthur Backman's employment listed on the Utah death certificate was listed as Laborer at Cudahy Packing Company. It reports that he passed away suddenly after suffering a precordial attack due to Coronary occlusion. Margaret had died in 1936 of acute pneumonia only several months after the stillborn birth of their third child, the second, Mary Pauline had died the previous year shortly after birth. Father, mother and two infant children are buried in the Centerville city cemetery. 

Walter Emanuel Backman, 16 Dec 1896 - 19 Jul 1970, passed away at the Veterans Hospital in Salt Lake City. The third son of  Johan August and Sarah Duncan Backman to serve overseas during World War I. His memorial in the Centerville cemetery cites his service as Idaho volunteer, Private in Battery B of the 114th Field Artillery. His death notice states he was employed by Eimco, of Salt Lake City, which manufactured mining equipment. Walter never married. When he passed away he was survived by only three of his siblings.

It is at this point in relating the history of Johan August Backman that I begin to have some personal connection, that is where I have been witness to these lives I have tried to know and understand. Even so it is weak, and from a distance, as I will show.

David Alfred Backman, 19 Mar 1898 - 30 Sep 1951, was the youngest son of Johan A. and Sarah E. Duncan Backman. David also passed away young, aged 53, and presumed due to coronary occlusion. His death certificate says exact cause is unknown, indicating it may have been unwitnessed. He was employed by the Union Pacific railroad. 

David had also served in World War I. His memorial in the Centerville cemetery notes he was a private in the 11th Field Artillery 6th division, his death certificate reflect service years from 1919 to 1922.

David married Elizabeth Rigby of Idaho. They had one son, David Alfred Backman, who passed away after I had moved back to Utah and whose funeral I attended. I met Elizabeth Backman at that time, only briefly. 

Sarah Elizabeth Backman, 21 Apr 1900 - 23 Sep 1985, sometimes called Sadie in her family or Beth. Sadie recounts her life story in family search memories. She claims that she was 15 pounds at birth, a weight usually reserved for twins. She says she looked like her mother, but for "the Backman forehead."  Sarah married a young man from the American Falls part of Idaho, William Theodore Barnard in 1925. They settled in Idaho and raised their family there. The youngest in the family of this report, she has a profile on www.familysearch.org that has many color photographs, indicating the modernity of her life, in fact a life entirely in the 20th century. There were 8 children born, of whom five survived to maturity. They have be active in family history as well, which has provided me with much insight to this family.

I was employed at the Utah Salt Lake Veterans Home, now named William E Christoffersen Home, and met a man of the name Barnard. I naturally inquired where from and upon learning he was from the American Falls area noted my relations there. Not unusual, his daughter claimed, but neither could recall our kinsmen. After this gentleman's death I located a school record that showed his picture just beside that of William T. Barnard! But that story will have to remain with me. 

Other stories will come forth here. I know I vacillate in my telling some. Do I have anything to add to the understanding of our pioneer family? Am I sharing anything of a personal relationship? I don't know. I hope I keep the story of my Backman family alive in some manner, as it came to me: alive and a necessary part of my own story.

There is more of the Sven Backman/Inger Dahlberg family I want to introduce, more I want to learn.

Children of Johan August Backman, Part One

 Johan August Backman - I do not know if he went by John or not, though I continue to slip between the two unwittingly. Hid daughter Sarah Elizabeth Backman Barnard in her touching biography varies in the reported name: Johan Auguste, Johan August, John. And a family group sheet has it as John Augustus. His headstone at Centerville City Cemetery reports John A. 

We will remember the man, the father of  a large family, wrought with struggles to survive the times in which they lived. Of the ten children born, eight grew to adulthood, five passed age 70 and four married. All were born in Centerville, or at least grew up there; some remained or returned to work, age and finally to be buried in the cemetery up the hill. In fact, John's mother Inger Dahlberg Backman and several of her progeny rest just inside that place of rest. John's widow, Sarah Elizabeth Duncan Backman died in American Falls, Idaho and was brought back to join again with her family.

Charles Swen Backman, 3 May 1881 - 30 Mar 1924, never married. His death certificate states he worked for the Oregon Short Line railroad, which began operating the same year Charles was born. 

My understanding is that the bachelor brothers all remained on the family homestead, originally gifted to their parents by their maternal grandfather Duncan. Charles passed away from a meningitis infection after a battle with cardio- renal disease of several years duration.

In 1883 Sarah bore a stillborn son. Another stillborn child, a daughter, was born in 1885.

John August Backman, 7 Jan 1884 - 22 Dec 1983, left Utah to try at farming in the Malta, Idaho region. We see by his dates that he lived nearly 100 years, a remarkable life in any time. 

His World War I registration card in 1918 says he was of medium height and build. He had blue eyes and light hair. At this time his nearest relative was  his mother. He did not marry.

Christina Backman Gamble Hutton, 11 Jun 1887 - 18 Apr 1972, passed away in Burley, Idaho. With her first husband, Charles Scott Gamble she settled in southern Idaho, farming in the Malta area. I find no record of children of their own, but know that they had two daughters, Ethelene Martha and Lorraine Sophia, nee' Johansson, who were born to Christina's cousin Edith Christensson Johansson, daughter of Inger Sophia Backman. I find records with both Johansson and Gamble as the names of these women, as well as both Christina and Charles' obituaries/death notices.

Several years after Charles Scott Gamble passed away, Christina married John Henry Hutton. 

Christina passed away at home in Burley, Idaho after a long illness, according to the published death notice. She was survived  by "daughter, Mrs. Jack (Lorraine) Lloyd of Fullerton, California. Also surviving were her brother John A. Backman and sister Elizabeth Barnard. Ethelene had passed away in1927. Christina - Chrissy - is buried in Albion, Cassia County, Idaho.

Clarence William Backman, 3 Feb 1890 - 29 Nov 1960, a recognized veteran of World War I, never married. He served in France, sustaining wounds requiring hospital stays. Twice, reported the Davis County Clipper newspaper, once for seven days, another for seven weeks. A third wound did not require hospital. He received a citation signed by Governor Bamberger of grateful acknowledgement of the State of Utah as a testimonial to his valor, fidelity and patriotic service. This can be found on his profile in www.familysearch.org. 

Clarence died from a heart attack, or as recorded on his death certificate: myocardial infarction due to coronary artery disease. He is buried in the Centerville City Cemetery.

The children of Samuel and Anna, part 4

 Many of the addresses that appear on the records of the Backman family in Salt Lake City have become the victims of modernization: a transportation hub, a freeway route, an interchange. I wanted to visit Jeremy Street to see if William Jacob Backman's home remained. Even the addresses had changed by that time, Temple Square no longer serving as the coordinate maker it once was. 

William Jacob Backman, like his father was a metal worker. Sometimes a tinsmith - a tinner, having his own shop. Or as reported in his death certificate, sheet metal work. Nearly all of Samuel's children settled in the same quarter of the city. Just now I want to say it was the Fifteenth Ward, and will post my correction if needed. They were building a new city. Skilled men were in demand. 

From the records I find William was successful. 

With his first wife Edith Louise Gill (married 1890) he had eight children, of whom three died as children or infants. Edith herself passed away in 1925. William married a few years later Mary Ann Haywood, a widow.

When William Jacob Backman passed away in Salt Lake City in 1943 he was 75. The cause of death attributed to carcinoma of the stomach, after twelve years. He and Edith are buried in the Salt Lake City cemetery.

Anna Wilhelmina Backman, Annie, was the first daughter of Samuel C. Backman and Anna Andersson. She adored her sister who was born shortly before the move across the United States and who passed away shortly after arriving. Annie's daughter Ivy Peterson Otteson has provided a wonderful biography which is posted as a  memory in Annie's www.familysearch.org profile. 

Annie had three daughters: Bertha Eugenia Malmquist, who died at age two. Gertrude Johanna Nilsson (Americanized to Nelson) and Ivy Olea Peterson. 

All reports declare Annie's intelligence and gift for caring. She studied, as a young divorcee, to become a teacher, trained as a midwife, outlived four husbands and her first two daughters. 

My grandfather, Ralph V Backman spoke of her fondly and of her husbands judiciously. But I was pleased to learn more about her as personal tributes became more readily available. I cannot drive through Spring City, Utah without Anna W. Backman Malmquist Nilsson Peterson Billington Jensen crossing my mind. 

Children of Samuel Christian Backman, part 3

 George Sigfried Backman, fourth son of Samuel and Anna was born in Sweden and came to the United States with his parents when they emigrated. I have learned just late that I had several preconceived ideas about his life.

Almost all records I have heretofore seen showed him as clerk or accountant. Only recently have I seen the memory posted on his www.familysearch.org profile that filled in details of his work life. I did know he has served with the Scandinavian Mission of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, because I have researched this family before. Also that he had served in the Spanish-American War, returning with shadows of war, I believed.

This is the advantage of research and re-research and research again: one does not know what they do not know, but challenge what you believe you know until you do know. Fortunately I understand what I mean.

George's granddaughter Ophelia Orlene Peterson has submitted this biographical information for our understanding of this man:

"George Sigfrid Backman was born February 15, 1866 in Gottenburg, Sweden. He was baptized on December 7, 1877. In July 1878 he came to Salt Lake City, Utah from Sweden with his parents and his sisters Anna and Bertha. Soon after Bertha died.

He married Mary Ophelia Allred on August 18, 1891 in the Manti Temple and was sealed to her on September 10, 1891. On July 7, 1892 his only child was born, a girl, Lola Juanita Backman. The next year November30, 1893 his beloved wife died in salt Lake City, Utah and was buried in spring City, Utah, her home as a young girl, and near parents, James Anderson Allred and Mary Ann Pollard who were raising her child." 

This record goes on to give dates of his LDS mission (1894-1896). It informs us as well that in this service he was called to serve as President of the Jonkaping Branch in Gothenburg. Following this he was employed in Salt Lake City as bookkeeper. 

George volunteered with the Utah Volunteers Battery A, 1st Artillery in the Spanish American War during which he he saw battle with Spaniard forces in the Philippines, including their surrender in Manila. George rose in responsibility as Chief of Section One and then Acting Police Sergeant. When his deployment came he had seen several of the South Pacific nations and territories before mustering out at the Presidio of San Francisco.

George's death came on April 4, 1908. He was just over 42 years of age. His death certificate gives his address on Sixth West, property own by his brother William  Jacob but the informant is listed as his brother Gustave Hilmer. Originally cause of death had been given as spotted fever but was amended to show alcoholism.

Where the disturbances of alcohol abuse began is not ours to say. But it is clear that it took grace and dignity away from the life of an obviously intelligent man, who demonstrated the ability to lead and serve. My grandmother claimed he could carve ships with precision and detail - perhaps the natural creativity of a man from Sweden's coastal areas. So we will let him rest. 

He is recognized in the Salt Lake City Cemetery with the white marble stone of a soldier.

Lola Juanita Backman grew up and married, having seven children.

Children of Samuel Christian Backman, part 2

 Gustave Hilmer Backman was the third child in this family. I believe he was the first to make the migrant's journey, with his brother William Jacob following soon after. Gustave came with his uncle John in order to receive the child discount fare. 

There have been questions about his birth place and I accept his own account that "I was born May 18th, 1864, in Mastuget in the city of Goteborg, Sweden." This is from a mimeographed autobiography that came into my possession after my grandfather's, or perhaps my grandmother's death. I am sure others have a copy as well, but I transcribed it and downloaded it to www.familysearch.org as one of his 'memories'. Gustave died in November 1931, almost 20 years (to the day) before I was born.

The Utah State Death certificate states that death was due to angina pectoris, following several years of heart problems, at age 67, in Salt Lake City.

In this autobiography Gustave notes that: 'Though I was regarded a good young man, I had taken no part in religion, except my connection with Sunday school, mutual and the choir. I had been ordained a deacon when I was thirteen [by] Bishop R. V. Morris in the 19th Ward, but no further promotion had been made. I was like most of the boys of that day. I smoked cigarettes, played pool, but I never dank. When I say like other boys, let me not forget to say the Ashtons, Lewis and Moyle above mentioned, were all exceptions, they did neither of these things, but all boys with whom I came in contact at work and elsewhere did.'

Previously he has written that the first part of life in Utah had been dissatisfying, moving from home to home often to be used as "help" or abused. The arrival of his parents, especially his mother, was a boon to his stability and attitude. He put himself to develop in mature and admirable directions.

Gustave did serve a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in his native Sweden, and when he returned furthered his education through a correspondence program, ultimately becoming a lawyer and accepted in all Utah courts. He built numerous associations, including clerking in Washington D.C. with congressman King of Utah. He served in Salt Lake City and County Clerks offices, opened his own law firm serving property and probate cases. By the time of  his death he had served or was serving on Salt Lake City board of education, the public library board and various city zoning and neighborhood development commissions. These efforts, concerns and enthusiasms flowed through the lives and careers of his sons as well.

Gustave married Grace Bailey Pollard in 1890, she a daughter of Bishop Joseph Pollard with whom he had worked in his youth. They were the parents of Gustave Pollard, LeGrand Pollard, Melvin Hilmer (who died as a child), Milton Vaughan, Grace Lucille, Ralph Vernon, Edna Louise and Harold Samuel Backman. Gustave and Grace are interred in the Salt Lake City Cemetery.