Encyclopedia of Connecticut biography, genealogical-memorial ...

Mr. Backea baa contended as only one
possessing the undeniable trait- of up-
rightness, progressivenesa and good judg-
ment, as in- docs, could contend, or auc-
Fully aunnount.
W'illu 1
K.WWI." H'EDIA ()!• BK >GRAPHY
in Backes, father of Frederick
\Y. Backes, was a worthy scion of this
old family. I lis grandfather held the position
of cashier for the Prince of Wied,
sufficient indication of the prestige of the
family. His father, Wilhclm Backes, was
also the encumbent of a government posi-
tion, one corresponding to our civil serv-
ice. He was a progressive man, of up-
right character, and held in high esteem.
He took an active and leading part in the
famous revolution of 1848. He died in
1865, having survived his wife, Eliza
( Wagelein) Backes, four years.
Suhsequent to the death of his father,
Mr. Backes was placed in the hands of
his relatives, and attended school, con-
tinuing through the grammar course,
which is equivalent to high school train-
ing in this country for the first or second
year, remaining there until fourteen
years of age. Like many youths who are
not quite certain of the vocation for which
they are adapted or which would prove
most congenial, he learned the baker's
trade. He served two and one-half years
at this occupation without one cent of
compensation, and before he could receive
his papers as a journeyman it was neces-
sary for him to make his masterpiece;
that is, do the entire night's work in the
bakery himself. After having success-
fully performed this task, he passed his
examination in the theory of baking, covering
those principles of chemistry and
physics upon which the science of baking
rests. Having passed successfully the
various tests in practise and theory, Mr.
Backes received his papers which per-
mitted him to travel from place to place
seeking to broaden his practical knowl-
Conn—7— 10
M5
edge of his trade. It is this ancient DI
tise that has gi\ en n- the
man" as applied to a competent mechanic.
Mr. Backea waa employed in Elberfield,
Rotterdam. Amsterdam and Leipaig, in
fact, most of the principle cities of G
many. In [871 72 he waa obliged to tem-
arily change hia occupation owing to
the depression in the baker's trade at that
time, which year will be remembered in
America as famous for its financial panic.
Mr. Backea found work in a freight depot,
and was one of eight chosen from a group
of 250 workmen to work in the Custom
House. Six months hence he waa draft
for the army, and through a friend in
America was successful in eluding the
German authorities and arrived in the
land of freedom and opportunity.
I le v
a stranger in a strange land and language,
and a large amount of credit i- due to Mr.
Backes for the material success he has
achieved through his own efforts, aided
by no favor of fortune or circumstance.
The date of his arrival in America was
August 12, 1873, and being fortunate
enough to escape the usual formalities
confronting the immigrant at Ellis Island,
Mr. Backes went to work at his trade the
very next day for the modest stipend of
six dollars per week and his board, receiving
an increase of one dollar per week
after working for three weeks. He was
subsequently employed in different sec-
tions of the State of Xew York until l8j
in which year he located in Providence,
Rhode Island, where he remained a year,
returning at the end of that time t" New-
York City.
In 1878 Mr. Backes removed to Hart-
ford, and became associated with his
brother-in-law in a bakery business lo-
cated under the Allyn House. Mr. Backes
had always been thrifty, prudent and
ambitious, and was now rewarded in being
able to take an interest in the business.