Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

egardless of sacrifice of time and pleas-
ure, he was enabled finally to possess himself
of what was long known as the Daniel
Holton farm, consisting of one hundred
and fifty acres. He has always been
a farmer of the progressive type, and was
among the early raisers of tobacco in his
section. At the beginning his crop was
only an acre in size, and now fifty acres
of shade grown tobacco are produced
annually on his farm. Consistent with
the years has been the growth of his business,
and at intervals new buildings and
additional equipment are added in order
that the necessary facilities for taking
care of this increase will be at hand. In
as many years he has built four new
tobacco sheds, with a capacity of seven
acres, and in addition has two small
sheds. In the busy season it is necessary
to employ as many as sixty to eighty men
in order to harvest the large fields of
tobacco. As soon as the two sons of Mr.
Reagan reached their majority, they were
admitted into partnership, and the tobacco
business is now carried on under the
name of Reagan & Sons, each one having
some detail work under their immediate
jurisdiction.
Mr. Reagan married Nora Fahey, of
Simsbury, and their union was blessed
with two sons and a daughter: i. Wil-
liam J., born February 23, 1883, is superintendent
of the farm. He married Lena
Peck, of Hartford. 2. John J., born Janu-
ary 18, 1884, was educated in the public
schools, and has always been associated
with his father in the business, now in
charge of the employees of the farm. He
married Hattie E. Baker, of Springfield,
Massachusetts, and they have four chil-
dren: Roy, Edith, Rose and Lewis. 3.
Mary, is the wife of Edward O'Brien, of
Fall River, and the mother of a daughter,
Loretta O'Brien.
Mr. Reagan is a man of simple tastes,
ENCYCLOPEDIA OF BIOGRAPHY
144
unostentatious in manner, a friend to all
who are worthy of his regard. He is held
in high esteem for his upright business
methods, and is well known among the
tobacco growers of his section.
BACKES, Frederick W.,
Business Man.
The force of environment is an impor-
tant factor in the upbuilding of character,
and the youth who rises out of his surroundings
and becomes a prominent and
influential man in his community proves
himself to be possessed of more than the
ordinary amount of will power, ability
and intelligence. In the life and career of
Frederick W. Backes, member of the firm
of Blake & Backes, sugar brokers of Hart-
ford, this truth is admirably illustrated.
Mr. Backes was born March 3, 1853, in
Linc-on-Rhine, Germany, son of Wilhelm
and Eliza (Wagelein) Backes. At the
tender age of ten years, he was left an
orphan by the death of his father, his
mother having died four years previous.
To one of less determination, the start in
life by young Backes would have been
most encouraging, but to him it served
as a zest to higher goals. From several
generations of right living forbears, he
inherited a splendid physique and fine
mentality. The necessity of upholding the
high standard of this heritage devolving
upon him, Mr. Backes endeavored
throughout his career not only to main-
tain this standard, but to add further
honor to an already honored name and
family.
The name, Backes, is found in both the
German and French forms, and it is impossible
to tell which is the earlier. The
significance of the name is "to contend,"
and against the many obstacles which
confronted him throughout the years he
was struggling and striving for success,