Funeral Rites Held For
Austin D. Backus
--------
Austin D. Backus, aged 80, well-known and beloved resident of Alcona County for over three score years, died of a heart attack early Thursday morning at his farm home in Caledonia Township.. He had been in ill health for the past five years, but had been able to do small tasks about the home up to the time of his death.
"Aust", as he was widely known by a host of friends, was born in Port Rowan, Canada, on February 25, 1869. He came to Alcona County when a young man of 18, and lived in Killmaster, Gusting Township, for a number of years. He married Ella Mae Anthony at Killmaster, on June 22, 1892. She passed away February 25, 1894, leaving an infant daughter, Ora, now Mrs. J. H. Killmaster of Harrisville.
Several years later, Mr. Backus moved to Hubbard Lake where he built a cabin and spent many hours in the out-of-doors to cure a lung ailment. He married Martha Gunderson in Alpena, September 29, 1908. He became a colorful character of the Hubbard Lake region and throughout this area. He was a familiar character in lumbering camps and had lumbered extensively. He was one of the first to realize the possibilities of Hubbard Lake as a resort area, and operated the Uncle Tom Cabin, later known as Backus Resort at the South End of the Lake for forty years. In 1940 he sold the resort interests to Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Travis and retired to their farm home near Spruce.
Aust was widely known for his wit, hospitality and fame as a "Paul Bunyon" story teller, and was greatly missed by neighbors and his clientelle from all parts of Michigan who came to his resort season after season.
He took a great interest in the upkeep of the Harrisville Cemeteries and was instrumental in organizing the first Cemetery Association here, many years ago.
Surviving are his widow; one daughter, Mrs. John H. Killmaster of Harrisville, four grandchildren, one great grandchild; and a sister, Mrs. Clara Noyes of Hibbing, Minnesota.
Funeral services were held from the Smith Funeral Home in Lincoln at 2:00 p. m. Saturday. Rev. H. A. Webster officiated and burial took place in Springport Cemetery.