Fresno County, California Biographies Source: History of Fresno County, California, with biographical sketches of the leading men and women of the county who have been identified with its growth and development from the early days to the present (1919) History By Paul E. Vandor Illustrated, Complete In Two Volumes Historic Record Company, Los Angeles, California, 1919 Notes: Missing+page1185-1186 Transcribed by Peggy Hooper This file is part of the California Genealogy & History Archives http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~cagha/index.htm AUGUST H. BACKER. � Among the most progressive, successful and best-known viticulturists in California must be rated August H. Backer, president of the Backer Vineyard Company, in Fresno County. He was the son of Henry Hine Backer, who was born in Holland in 1824, was a sailor for years, and after his adventurous life on the ocean made safe harbor in the United States, landing from a sailing vessel in San Francisco Bay in 1849. Going at once to the mines in Sierra County, he mined for about twenty years in the placers there ; but in 1877, lured by the stories he heard from those who knew about Fresno County and its possible future, he came here and located in Temperance Colony on sixty acres of land which he secured. After setting out the first vineyard on twenty acres, he went back to Sierra County to settle up some business he had left, and died there in April. 1879. Henry Hine Backer was a Mason. The mother of A. H. Backer was Augusta Busch before her marriage. She was born in Germany, came to California in 1863, married Mr. Backer in Sierra County, and contributed much to his business success as well as to his domestic happiness. She died on Septem- ber 1, 1904, the mother of six children, all of whom grew to years of maturity, namelv: Lena, Mrs. Bond; Hilca, Mrs. Hagerty, now deceased; and August H., Henry H., Dora W., and George W. August H. Backer was born in Sierra County, September 28, 1866, came to Fresno County in 1878, attended school in Temperance Colony, and later put in a year at Heald's Business College in San Francisco, graduating in 1891. He then took up general farming in partnership with his brothers, and managed the home place for ten years. He increased the vineyard from the original twenty acres to sixty acres and made of it one of the most attractive places in the neighborhood. In 1889 the Backer family bought land in Kutner Colony. This they im- proved and lived there for ten years. The property is still owned by the Backer Vineyard Company. The present home-place of Mr. Backer consists of twenty acres of vineyard, but with his brothers he operates and owns other vineyards and grain lands. After the death of the mother, in 1904, the other members of the family incorporated the Backer Vineyard Company, of which August H. is president. The company own 120 acres in Temperance and Kutner Colonies, all in vineyard, and a tract of 800 acres of grain land north of Sanger. Mr. Backer, with his brothers, engaged in viticulture and farm- ing, buying, improving and selling lands. They owned 120 acres in the Mt. Campbell Orange Tract, near Reedley. This they set to vines and sold as well as other places they have owned from time to time. About 1910 the Backer Vineyard Company, with George Roeding, packed a car-load of em- peror table grapes in drums packed with redwood sawdust, shipped it to New York and there placed it in cold storage until the Christmas market, and then sold it. This was the first car-load lot of table grapes shipped East in this manner, and proved a success. It established a precedent that has re- sulted in the development of a business of large proportions in the state. In 1918 the Backer Vineyard Company shipped to the East twelve car-loads of emperors in sawdust. One car-load sold in Washington for $3,600. One car-load from Mr. Hacker's home place sold in New York for $3,500. The place of twenty acres, where .Mr. Backer erected a modern residence and now makes his" home, has been his property for over thirty years. In 1918 the Backer brothers divided their individual property and dissolved partner- ship, and each is now operating for himself, with the exception of the Backer Vineyard Company, which is owned by all members of the family. At Vallejo, October 21, 1894, August H. Backer and Mary A. Gee were married. She was born in England in 1869, and came to the United States with her parents. Three children blessed this union: August, a graduate from the Fresno High and the Junior College, now serving in the American Expeditionary Forces in France, as a corporal in the aviation section; Harry, attending the Fresno High: and Irene. On July 9, 1911, Mr. Backer was bereaved of his wife, who was-mourned by a large circle of friends. Mr. Backer is a trustee of Temperance Colony school district, and for twelve years has been clerk of the board. He is a member of the California Associated Raisin Company. His record is time-tested proof that well- directed ambition and intelligent application will bring a man large returns, especially if he be wide-awake to choose favoring conditions and a promising field for his operations.