Charles Backman was born Nov. 16, 1824, at Pittstown, New York. His father was Henry Bochman. He changed the manner of spelling his hame during his schoolboy days. Mr. Backman accumulated a large fortune in the wholesale liquor business in New York. He, was never married and has few near relatives. Charles Backman died very suddenly at his home at Stony Ford Sunday night aged 76 years. He was found sitting in his chair about ten o'clock. Heart disease was the cause of death. Mr. Backman was probably the best known breeder of trotting horses in the United States and Stony Ford Stud for many years was the Mecca to which the eyes of horsemen turned when the very best of blooded stock was wanted. Mr. Backman retired from active business several years ago, but continued to reside on the farm where the greater part of his life had been spent. It was in 1862 that Mr. Backman made his first purchase of Orange County land and began the breeding of trotters. As years passed by he purchased adjoining farms until the place finally included about 700 acres. Here he build extensive stables and greatly improved the property. He was the prince of entertainers and the old mansion at Stony ford has extended its hospitality to scores of men of national prominence. Among them were President Grant, Secretary of the Navy W.C. Whitney, Senator Leland Stanford, Secretary Tracy, Robert Bonner, Dean Sage, Oliver F. Payne, H.O. Havemeyer, Shepard F. Knapp, Lawrence Kipp, G.G. Howland and many others. It was in the famous smoking room at Stony Ford that President Grant smoked his last cigar. From Stony Ford Stud came many of the famous horses whose names are familiar with horsemen to-day. Perhaps the greatest of these was Electioneer, purchased by Senator Stanford and taken to California about 30 years ago. Others in the list were Messenger Duroc, Kentucky Prince and Idol. Green Mountain Maid, one of the greatest brood mares, lies buried under a tall shaft of granite at Stony Ford.

Charles Backman was born Nov. 16, 1824, at Pittstown, New York. His father was Henry Bochman. He changed the manner of spelling his hame during his schoolboy days. Mr. Backman accumulated a large fortune in the wholesale liquor business in New York. He, was never married and has few near relatives. Charles Backman died very suddenly at his home at Stony Ford Sunday night aged 76 years. He was found sitting in his chair about ten o'clock. Heart disease was the cause of death. Mr. Backman was probably the best known breeder of trotting horses in the United States and Stony Ford Stud for many years was the Mecca to which the eyes of horsemen turned when the very best of blooded stock was wanted. Mr. Backman retired from active business several years ago, but continued to reside on the farm where the greater part of his life had been spent. It was in 1862 that Mr. Backman made his first purchase of Orange County land and began the breeding of trotters. As years passed by he purchased adjoining farms until the place finally included about 700 acres. Here he build extensive stables and greatly improved the property. He was the prince of entertainers and the old mansion at Stony ford has extended its hospitality to scores of men of national prominence. Among them were President Grant, Secretary of the Navy W.C. Whitney, Senator Leland Stanford, Secretary Tracy, Robert Bonner, Dean Sage, Oliver F. Payne, H.O. Havemeyer, Shepard F. Knapp, Lawrence Kipp, G.G. Howland and many others. It was in the famous smoking room at Stony Ford that President Grant smoked his last cigar. From Stony Ford Stud came many of the famous horses whose names are familiar with horsemen to-day. Perhaps the greatest of these was Electioneer, purchased by Senator Stanford and taken to California about 30 years ago. Others in the list were Messenger Duroc, Kentucky Prince and Idol. Green Mountain Maid, one of the greatest brood mares, lies buried under a tall shaft of granite at Stony Ford.