Backlund, Axel, building contractor – Astoria – born in Piteå on Oct. 13 1876. Traveled to America in the spring of 1902 and arrived in New York on May 12. He initially found work in the sawmill, foundry and railroad trades in Marinette, Deer Creek and S. Superior, Wisconsin.
In August the same year, he arrived in Astoria, Oregon, were he worked in a sawmill for the first 9 months, followed by one year in an ice shop, after which he started in the building trade.
After working for five years for the building contractor Palmberg, he started his own building contractor business in 1909. He owns his own property, 365 31 St, and is a member of Woodmen of the World, the Swedish American Brotherhood, the Carpenters Union, the singing society Manhem, as well as the Lutheran Church. On March 14, 1909 he married Dora Larson from Astoria, and they have one son together.