Biography

03/13/1817 - 10/26/1888

BACKUS, John Couch, a Representative from McKean County; born, March 13, 1817 in Lee, Berkshire County, Ma.; graduated, Oberlin College; major, Company E, 58th Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry (1861-1863, Civil War); engaged, lumber business; proprietor, saw mill; attorney-at-law (1851-1888); elected, register and recorder, McKean County (1851-1854); elected, prosecuting attorney, McKean County (1854-1860); elected, burgess, Smethport (1855 and 1871); unsuccessful campaign, prosecuting attorney, McKean County (1865); elected as a Democrat to the Pennsylvania House of Representatives for the 1875 and 1876 terms; not a candidate for reelection to the House for the 1877 term; died, October 26, 1888 in Smethport, McKean County, Pennsylvania; interred, Rose Hill Cemetery, Smethport, McKean County, Pennsylvania.