Background
John J. Backus was born in 1863, was of English birth, he migrated to the United States when a youth.
John J. Backus was born in 1863, was of English birth, he migrated to the United States when a youth.
He migrated to the United States and after a few years in Pittsburgh, Pa. where he worked for a builder and contractor, Mr. Backus settled in Los Angeles during the late 'nineties. Appointed as a Superintendent of the Los Angeles City Building Department in 1903, he began a career in public service, and later became head of the Department. In 1925 he was promoted to the position of General Manager of the City Department of Building & Safety, and held that office until a short time before his decease.