Source, Rutland (Vt) Daily Herald--Sat.Dec.28, 1912. BRANDON, Vt. Q. S. Backus, who had been in failing health for some time past died yesterday morning at 10 o'clock at his home north of the village. He was 74 years old and besides his wife leaves one son and daughter, Fred E. Backus and Mrs. J. O. Bowman. He was the inventor of the Backus Gas heaters and several other articles. In 1902 he was elected senator from Rutland county. The funeral services will be held from the house tomorrow afternoon at 2 o'clock. Source, Rutland (Vt) Daily Herald--Mon. Dec. 30, 1912. MASONIC RITUAL AT THE HOUSE. Services for Q.S.Backus of Brandon Yesterday Rooms Containing Casket at " Quim's Home" A Veritable Flower Display---Mixed Quartet Sings Two Favorite Hymns--Former Rutland Senator. " Quim's Home ", residence of the late Quimby S. Backus of Brandon was filled with friends and relatives of the family yesterday afternoon when funeral services for Mr. Backus, who died Friday afternoon were held. More then 50 members of St. Paul's lodge, Free, and Accepted Masons attended in a body and six of their number acted as bearers. The Masonic burial ritual was read just previous to removing the body from the house. There was a profusion of floral tributes, from friends, relatives and business associates, both within and from without the state. The room in which was placed the casket was literally filled with cut flowers and floral pieces. Rev. C. E. Beals, pastor of the Congregational church in Brandon officiated and in his brief eulogy he paid a fine tribute to the deceased. A mixed quartet composed of Miss Lucretia Clark, Mrs. J. W. Estabrook, William Williams and George H. Young sang, :" Abide With Me " and " God Be With You Till We Meet Again. " Because of the inclement weather, it was decided to have the Masonic services in the house and these took place at the close of a prayer by Rev. Mr. Beals. The bearers were A.J. Ives, Elan French, B. J. Williams, Charles L. Clifford, E. O. Cool and Erastus Spooner, all members of St. Paul's lodge of Masons. Worshipful Master W. R. Marsh was in charge of the ritual. Burial was in Pine Hill Cemetery in the family lot. WAS BORN IN BRIDGEWATER. Quimby Silas Backus was born in Bridgewater, Vt. in 1838 and his preliminary eduction was obtained in the public schools of that town. Later he attended the Brandon Seminary and graduated from that institution in 1856. Mr. Backus learned his trade as a machinist at Woodstock (Vt). Later he worked for the Howe Scale company at Brandon doing work on parts of the first Howe scale. He was employed as a tool maker in the gun shop at Windsor, Vt. when in this firm had a contract with the government and he also was employed in the railroad shops in this city (Rutland). In later years Mr. Backus went to Williamsport, Pa., where he started the manufacture of the Backus Portable Steam Heater. In 1895 he bought a home in Brandon and in 1902, after passing several summers at the place, he moved his factory to Brandon where he continued the output of both steam and gas heaters. In 1858, Mr. Backus married Miss Lavinia A. Lawrence who survives him. besides his wife he leaves a son, Frederick E. Backus of Brandon; a daughter, Mrs. J. O. Bowman of South Carolina and a sister, Mrs. Anna Atwood of Bridgewater, Vt. Mr. Backus was a member of St.Paul's lodge, F. and A. M., Farmers' chapter, R. A.M., and he was a member of Cairo temple of Shriners. Mr. Backus represented Rutland county in the state senate in 1902 and he was the first candidate for governor of the state on the Independent league ticket in 1908.