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.
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