a Methodist Episcopal minister, was born in Herkimer County, N. Y, Sept. 16, 1820. He was converted in 1838; was licensed to preach in 1843, and in 1856 entered the Genesee Conference. In 1.872 he was transferred to the North-west Indiana Conference, and in 1875 was granted a supernumerary relation, which he held till his death, at Stockwell, Ind., Jan. 10, 1876. Mr.-Backus was a man of rare endowments, stalwart in frame, and energetic; forcible in manner, sound in theology. See Minutes of Annual Conferences, 1876, p. 367.