An Illustrated History of the State of Washington, by Rev. H.K. Hines, D.D., The Lewis Publishing Co., Chicago, IL., 1893, pages 304-305 JUSTICE C.F. BACKUS has been a well known and respected citizen of Spokane for many years. All of his interests, both in a personal and professional sense, are identified with this city, and it is therefore appropriate that more than a passing mention should be made of him in this work. Mr. Backus was born in South Bend, Indiana, May 3, 1845, third in the family of G. W. and Mary E. (Hardman) Backus, natives of Ohio and Indiana respectively. His father was born in 1817 and is still living, being now a resident of Wasco county, Oregon. His mother died in 1868. Mr. Backus may well be called a pioneer of this great Northwest, for, although a native of Indiana, he has always lived in the far western section of the country, having been brought overland by his parents to Oregon in 1850. They made the long journey with ox teams, being seven months en route, and settled in Linn county, Oregon. In 1850 the father secured claim to 640 acres of land, in Linn county, which he at once began to improve and as the years rolled by developed into a fine farm. The subject of our sketch was reared in the beautiful Willamette valley, which, though so naturally peaceable and quiet, was in those early days the scene of many stirring events between the white settlers and Indians. Inured to hardship and toil, Mr. Backus grew to manhood, sturdy, vigorous and determined. The border schools only sharpened his desire for a thorough education, and as soon as he could prepare himself he entered Willamette University, where he graduated in 1866. In his early life he was engaged in various occupations, being in a mercantile establishment a portion of the time. He read law in the office of Watkins & Bird at The Dalles, and was admitted to the bar by the Supreme Court of Washington in 1877, since which time he has constantly practiced both in Oregon and Washington, He came to this city in 1887, and was soon afterward appointed to the responsible and prominent position of Police Judge during the temporary incapacity of the presiding judge. This office he filled with satisfaction to all. He has since been elected a city Justice, which position he now occupies, and for the duties of which his many years of practical experience eminently fit him. As has already been stated, Mr. Backus is truly a pioneer of the Northwest. He was a resident of three Territories, Oregon, Washington and Idaho, when they assumed the dignity of Statehood, and while he has been a witness to the changes which have brought about the development of this section of the country, he has done his part toward advancing its welfare. In 1862-ë63 he was a director and secretary of the company which constructed the Willamette Valley and Cascade wagon road. The Judge has traveled extensively over this part of the country, has ascended Mount Hood, has been in many Indian raids, has speculated in cattle, and after a somewhat eventful life is pleased to settle down in what he is convinced will become the future great city of the Northwest, Spokane. He was married in 1868, to Miss Elizabeth Leedy, a native of Indiana. She died in August, 1891, leaving two children, Lottie M. and Velma. Mr. Backus is a member of the A.O.U.W. Submitted to the WA. Bios Project in September 2003 by Jeffrey L. Elmer * * * * Notice: These biographies were transcribed for the Washington Biographies Project. Unless otherwise stated, no further information is available on the individual featured in the biographies.