Legislator Details


Henry Titus Backus
AKA:
Number of sessions served 2
Sessions served
Gender: Male
Age at election: 30

Vital Records Information:

Birth
Date: 4/4/1809
City: Norwich, CT
County: New London County, CT
Country: US
 
Death
Date: 7/13/1877
City: Greenwood, AZ
County: Mohave County, AZ
Country:
Type of Burial: interred
Burial
Date:
City: Norwich, CT
County: New London County, CT
Country: US
Cemetery: Yantic Cemetery

Marital Information:
married Julianna Trumbull Woodbridge, dau. of Gov. Wm. Woodbridge, 12/7/1835; children: James H.

Number of Children: 1

Background

Religion:
Military Service:
Occupation: lawyer
Race: Caucasian or White

Education:

Biographical Sketch:
Son of James and Doroth Church (Chandler)Backus. He came to Michigan in 1833 and studied law with Gov. Woodbridge. Son-in-law of William Woodbridge. Elected alderman in Detroit; senior member of the law firm Backus and Harbaugh. Member of the Masons. Left Detroit in 1865-69 to take the Arizona judgeship. After returning to his Detroit law practice he went back to Arizona in 1877. He died in the extreme heat of this journey. Originally buried in 1877 in Greenwood, AZ; re-interred in Norwich, CT in 1885. Member, Masons.

Notable Facts:
Del. to Michigan state constitutional convention, 1850. Justice of Arizona territorial supreme court, 1865-69. Served in both chambers. He was President Pro Tem of the Senate, 1861-62. He was Lt. Governor in 1862 and 1863. He instituted the first lodge of the Masons in Upper Canada. Mich.Biog. gives birth yr as 1821. Sometimes called Harry T. Backus. Original internment was in Greenwood, AZ; reinterred in Yantic Cemetery, Norwich, CT in 1885.

Sessions Served:

Twenty-First Legislature, 1861-1862
Chamber: Senate
Party: Republican
Committees Served On: Judiciary , State Affairs
Postions Held: President Pro Tempore

City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: 3
District Description:

Date Elected: 11/6/1860
Date Sworn In: 1/2/1861
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes: Assumed the duties of Pres. Pro Tem 5/8/1861, after the death of Sen. Williams. Byron G. Stout took over in 1862.
Fifth Legislature, 1840
Chamber: House
Party: Whig
Committees Served On: Claims, Judiciary , Organizing Towns and Counties
Postions Held:

City of Residence: Detroit
County of Residence Wayne
District: Wayne
District Description:

Date Elected: 11/4/1839
Date Sworn In: 1/6/1840
Date Left Office:

Reason for Leaving Office: N/A
End of Term Status: Departed

Maritial Status: Unknown
Notes:

Bibliography:

PolGryd; MIBiog 1:36; DFP 8/4/1885 p.8
View Bibliographical Sources