Russel Benson Backus is the grandson of Samuel Cordner, an early farmer and businessman in Utah.

Russel Benson Backus was born to Elmer Eugene and Gertrude Violet Cordner Backus. He attended Utah State University in Logan, UT. Backus is involved in preserving the memory of his grandfather, Samuel Cordner, through donating his papers to the BYU HBLL Special Collections department.

Backus currently resides in Fairfax, Virginia.

Samuel Cordner (1876-1960) was a early farmer and businessman in Utah county.

Samuel Cordner was born September 16, 1876 to to Thomas and Mary Ann Benson Cordner in Provo, Utah. Both his parents were born and raised in Ireland but immigrated to Utah in 1872. Samuel married Elvira Elizabeth Earl (1872-1949) on March 14, 1900. After the birth of four children (Vida Pearl, Violet Gertrude, Vera Elva and Thomas Earl), Samuel served a mission for the LDS church in the Southern States mission from 1913 to 1915 at the age of 37. Two years later, in 1917, their fifth child, Vivian Fontella, was born.

Samuel supported his family through his many farming and business endeavors including produce shipping. He served as Vice President and then as President of the County Farm Bureau group in 1922. He also served on the board of directors of the Timpanogos Cooperative Fruit and Vegetable Growers' Association from 1923 to 1927.

Samuel passed away on October 12, 1960 in Orem, Utah.