JACOB M. BACK. Since the admission of Texas into the Union of states the family of which Jacob M. Back is a representative has been influential in its development and gradually increasing prosperity. He was born on his father’s farm near Mansfield, Tarrant county, March 9, 1861, being a son of Major Jacob and Nancy (Murphy) Back. From his native state of Kentucky Major Back came to Texas in 1843, and two years later, in 1845, took up his abode within the borders of Tarrant county, three miles from the city of Mansfield. He was thus numbered among its very earliest settlers, dating his arrival here just three days too late to secure six hundred and forty acres of pre-emption land. He, however, secured three hundred and twenty acres. Throughout the intervening period of his life his name was indissolubly connected with its annals. His life occupation was the tilling of soil, and he continued to reside on his old homestead near Mansfield until his life’s labors were ended in death, August 6, 1881. Major Black served a soldier, August 6, 1881. Major Black served as a soldier in the Confederate army during the Civil war, enlisting at Mansfield as a member of Colonel Darnell’s Regiment, and served throughout the entire struggle with distinction. He is well remembered by all the old soldiers and officers of this section of the state. He was also one of the early officers of the county, having held the offices of justice of the peace, deputy sheriff and many others of trust and importance.
Jacob M. Back, a son of the worthy old Texan pioneer, spent the period of his boyhood and youth on the old home farm, receiving his educational training at Mansfield, and after entering upon his business career he became extensively engaged in the live stock business in connection with his farming interests. He buys and ships all kinds of live stock, but makes a specialty of hogs, of which he is the most extensive dealer in Tarrant county. His farm is located five miles east of Mansfield, and consists of one hundred and seventy acres of rich and productive land. Early in the year 1902 Mr. Back embarked in the mercantile business in Mansfield, establishing the firm of Back & McLean, hardware and implement dealers, and since 1894 has maintained his residence in the city and devotes his attention to his large and constantly increasing business, although he still retains his farming and stock-raising interests. He is a very successful business man, and has prospected in his various financial undertakings.
Mr. Back married Miss Alida Munsey, a native daughter of Illinois, but reared in Texas, and they have three children—Claude V., Col A. and Nannie Lu. In his fraternal relations Mr. Back is past master of Mansfield Blue Lodge, A. F. & A. M., No. 331, and a Royal Arch Mason.
Source: B. B. Paddock, History and Biographical Record of North and West Texas, Vol. II (Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co., 1906), pp. 88-89.