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WILLIAM JONES BEST
Among those men who are able to look back upon the successes that they have made in Welland County without the feeling that there is some position to which they might aspire, is the subject of this sketch who, because of the many and varied positions of high esteem he has held, has tasted of a life that is filled with glamour.
William Jones Best was born in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Welland County, on September 22nd, 1852. He is the son of the late Robert Best, a native of England.
Mr. W.J. Best attended the public school in Niagara-on-the-Lake and was then sent to a private institution for a short period.
Because his father had been engaged in the meat business, Mr. Best went to Chicago at the age of 20 years, where he worked for an oyster concern and where he remained until he was 26 years old.
He then went to Welland and started a business in the general mercantile line with his brother, Robert B. Best. The partnership was dissolved in 1886, when his brother left Welland County for Vancouver. The establishment was located on East Main Street, and won a large patronage through the excellence meats it carried.
Until 1906, Mr. Best maintained this business, but retired to live in his beautiful home which is located at 15 Hellems Street.
For two years Mr. Best served on the county council, before the town of Welland was incorporated as a city. He was made a deputy reeve for one year, and then was elected reeve.
Mr. Best also served in the city council for a number of years, and was made Mayor of Welland by acclamation in 1903. He fulfilled this post as chief executive in an admirable manner.
For a term of two years he served as a member of the school board, and during this period did much to further the educational progress of the district, being a hearty supporter of such policies as were of the greatest benefit to the tax-paying public.
Mr. Best is now chairman of the Hydro-Electric and is considered in Welland County to be a man whose sterling worth in the administration of the affairs of large corporate interests is inestimable. In association of W.M. German he was largely instrumental in converting a piece of property often referred to as an eye-sore along the canal bank into a beautiful park, now known as Merritt Park.
Mr. Best serves as a warden of the Anglican Church, a post which he has held for eight years. He is a member of the Horticulture Society, and many other fraternal and social organizations.
He is interested in the nursery, which is operated under the name of Brown Brothers. In this enterprise he is joined by David Ross and L.B. Duff. He is great lover of gardening, horses and sports. At one time he was active in horse racing, driving harness race trotters.
Mr. Best was married in Welland on July 8th1885, to Margaret Lock, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. H.D. Lock. They had three children: Frank, who is now 36 years old, and was wounded in the Canadian army during the World War; Harry, who was killed in the World War, and Fanny, the twin of Frank, who also passed away recently/
A.E. Coombs
History of The Niagara Peninsula and the New Welland Canal
1930
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