52 Ancestors #2 Edith Louise Backman

Edith Louise Backman

For my second ancestor, I selected my paternal grandmother and wife of John Eldridge Backman. They were a beautiful couple and it just didn't seem right to separate them for long.

Edith was born June 30, 1896 to William Jacob and Edith Louise Gill Backman.  As was the custom of the time, she was born at home.  Edith was the third of seven children: five boys; two girls.  She was preceded by an older brother, William David, who was born in 1891 and an older sister, Evelyn, who was born in 1894.  She was followed by four brothers:  Richard Samuel in 1899; Franklin Gill in 1901; Herbert Spencer in 1903; and, George Siegfried in 1909.

Edith, nicknamed Babe, she remembered her home as a place filled with love and guided by kind, understanding parents.  The family home at 42 Jeremy Street would be welcoming place for generations of offspring.

42 Jeremy Street with little Bill, William, Edith,
Ruth Gill and baby Evelyn

The family knew its share of grief as two of their cherished little ones did not survive childhood.  Little Richard died shortly after his birth and Evelyn passed away in 1902 at the age of eight.

In 1918, she met her future husband, John Eldridge Martin, a young farm boy/soldier from Oklahoma.  In January 1920, the young couple traveled by train to Oklahoma where Babe get meet and get acquainted with her Martin family.  She recalls this as a wonderful time quilting with "Mother Martin" and her new sisters. There was a lot of laughter and good food shared during the visit as well.

Donna, Edith & John

The newlyweds lived with her parents at 42 Jeremy Street.  It was here their first child was born on November 5, 1919.  Unfortunately, little Edyth died at birth.  The young parents were devastated which made it easy for them to stay on at the Jeremy Street house.  Their second child was born on May 16, 1921.  Little Donna had lots of beautiful, black curly hair and brought joy and happiness to the young parents.

Early in 1922, the young couple bought their first home at 221 North 8th West in Salt Lake City.  It was here that their first son, John David, was born on June 19, 1922.  Babe remembered missing her mother tremendously as she took care of the two little babies.  She commented that with the patience and love of her husband she was soon able to "grow up" and care for the babies by herself.

Donna and little Jack were joined by brother William (Bill) in January 1925.  Shortly after Bill's birth, Babe's mother was diagnosed with cancer.  She passed away in September and the little family was asked to move back to Jeremy Street to help her father and his young sons.

Family at home on Jeremy
Donna, Babe, Jack
Bill, Jack & Evelyn

In late 1928 or early 1929, the family moved to a home of their own at 1054 Harvard Avenue.  It was here that son John would meet his future wife (the little girl next door), Iris Lunn.  The family lived here for two years and welcomed another daughter, Evelyn on October 30, 1930.

The Depression hit the family hard and in 1932, they decided to move to Ogden in hopes of finding a better situation.  This was a very difficult period for the family as Father Jack was injured in an automobile accident and finances were extremely tight.  Babe remembers gathering around the kitchen table with the little ones on Saturday mornings making out the grocery list.  They would then count the money in the kitty and make a new list leaving off the things they could do without.  Tomatoes were 25 cents a bushel and Babe canned tomatoes and "windfall" apples the children were able to gather.

While the family made some wonderful friends in Ogden, Jack decided to put in for a transfer to the Salt Lake Sears store and move the family back to Salt Lake.  Late in May 1936, the family returned to 42 Jeremy Street.  The family would remain in this home until the 1950s and all the children had gone out on their own.

Babe had a beautiful singing voice and provided comfort for many families when she sang at funeral services.  She sang in many choirs and performed duets on several occasions with one of her neighbors, Earl Martin (no relation).  She was also an accomplished pianist and accompanied many church groups.  She remembered playing many times with one of her children snuggled next to her on the piano bench.

Nanny, as she was known to her grandchildren and great grandchildren, was my first piano teacher.  I am so grateful for her patience and love as she worked with little fingers as they struggled to hit the right notes and get the timing just right.

Nan baked wonderful bread and cinnamon rolls.  Many of us looked forward to the warm birthday cinnamon rolls she delivered with a smile on our special day.  At both the Jeremy house and her later home on Pierpont, she had a large drawer where she stored her flour.  All of the granddaughters remember spending happy moments sifting flour for Nan wearing a dish towel apron.

John and Babe at home

From the mid 1950s to their deaths, Nanny and Gramp lived on Pierpont Avenue.  They created a
wonderful welcoming home with a beautiful patio and a yard.  Many special events and simple Sunday evening get-togethers were enjoyed with family and friends.  The kitchen was a magnet for both the female and male members of the family.  There was always a bottle of cold creme soda in the refrigerator and a cookie or two in the cookie jar.  Cleaning up after family functions was not a chore as laughter and teasing among aunts and cousins made light work of the job.

Childhood memories of time spent with Nanny:

• Going to lunch at Keely's (a downtown Salt Lake restaurant that had mirrors lining facing walls creating endless images of diners) followed by a movie or shopping
• Walking along the tracks by the Jeremy house
• Creating "crossed swords" from crossed straight pins placed on the railroad tracks for a train to run over
• Singing along to Sons of the Pioneers records
• Eating breakfast with Grandpa and drinking Postum
• Changing Pinocchio's nose

Edith Louise Backman Martin passed away March 11, 1983.  Her family cherishes the many memories of wonderful times spent with her.

Jack and Babe with their first car