PETER BACKER, a prominent citizen of Troy, Ind., was born in Dubois County, Ind., April 4, 1844, being one of six children born to Garrett and Francika Backer, both of whom were natives of Germany. The father who was a blacksmith came to the United States as early as 1835, and was married in Pennsylvania. He soon after came to Dubois County, Ind., and located at Ferdinand where he died in 1851. The mother afterward married Joseph Snyder, and died in 1879. Peter Backer lived with his parents at Ferdinand until his father’s death, after which he went to Pittsburgh, Penn., with his mother and stepfather and remained six years, receiving a good education in English and German. In 1856 he returned to Perry County, and clerked and teamed at Troy until 1870, when he engaged in the hotel, saloon and livery business in which he still continues. He keeps a good hotel, and commands the leading transient and local patronage. In addition to his property here he owns a good farm in Spencer County