William Best (1844-1901)

• Born in Fishkill, NY. Record seem to indicate the family living in Nyack by 1846, when his mother passed away in Nyack.
• Lots of interesting information can be found in the newspaper archives at https://news.hrvh.org. Scanned copies of all mentions are in my digital archives.

Newspaper mentions

• Rockland County Messenger, 1868-10-29, rcm_18681029_0002.pdf col. 3. The first annual meeting of the Nyack Young Men's Christian Union (YMCA?) lists William Best as a member of the "Committee on Finance and Literature"
• Rockland County Journa, 1869-05-08, The Young Mens Christian Union is dissolving. William Best is on the committee to distribute its funds.

• Rockland County Journal, 1869-10-20, rcj_18691030_0003.pdf: Col. 1,

  MARRIAGES. At Nyack, on the 12th inst., by Rev. S.H. Opdyke, Mr. William Best, to Miss Amelia Moore, all of the above place.

• On Feb 23 1884 (rcj_18840223_0005.pdf, col 2), he's listed as 2nd Vice President and member of the committee on subscriptions of the newly formed "Law and Order Society of Orangetown". The writeup notes that "This movement is made by citizens of the place, irrespective of political party, and all voters should favor it with their presence and co-operation."

• RCJ, 1888-06-30 (rcj_18880630_0001.pdf col. 2) mentions Best organizing an event in Piermont to raise money for a new organ for the Reformed Church. Also participating were Miss Louise Best and Miss Lottie Best, who I have no other record of.
  • This might be a different William Best, because on 1889-05-11, RCJ says (rcj_18890511_0001.pdf col. 4) somewhat inexplicably that William Best and Edward Jones "are going to the wild West".
  • RCJ also says on 1889-10-19 (rcj_18891019_0001.pdf col 5) that Best and Jones are "in business at Tacoma".
  • Our William Best never lived in Piermont, as far as I can tell.
• August 24 1889, RCJ reports in "A Very Nice Time" (rcj_18890824_0004.pdf col. 5) Best leading a prayer at St. Paul's church at an event held by the Young People's Aid Society.
• February 27, 1892, RCJ reports (rcj_18920227_0001.pdf, col 4) that "Mrs. M. Moore" (Mary Ann Felter (1808-1892) died at her son-in-law William Best's house the previous Tuesday.
• On June 4 1892, RCJ reports (rcj_18920604_0008.pdf, col. 4) that over Memorial Day, William Best and family were visited by "Mr. and Mrs. John F. Moore, of New York; Mr. and Mrs. Henry S. Moore, of Hackensack, N.J., and Mrs. S. Ackerson, of Brooklyn"
• December 24 1892, RCJ reports (rcj_18921224_0001.pdf, col. 2) reports new officers elected to "Nyack Council, No. 248, American Legion of Honor", including William Best as trustee. The American Legion of Honor is a "fraternal benefit order" and a different group than the better known American Legion
• Feb 8, 1896, RCJ reports (rcj_18960208_0001.pdf, col. 2) on "Grand and Petit Jurors" drawn to serve at the next term of county court in New City, starting Feb. 18. William Best is listed as a petit juror.
• June 27, 1896, RCJ reports (rcj_18960627_0003.pdf, last col) on "Children's Day Exercises" held at Nyack churches the previous Sunday. At "The historic old Stone Church at Upper Nyack" it notes that "...the Superintendent, William Best, made some pertinent remarks."
• Feb 13, 1897, RCJ lists (rcj_18970213_0001.pdf, col 2) William Best as grand juror for Orangetown.
• Nov 14, 1899, RCJ reports (rcj_18990114_0008.pdf, col 5) that the Sexsmith Cabinet Manufacturing Company of NYC is moving to Nyack. "It was necessary to raise one thousand dollars to bring the industry here". A list of contributors includes William Best for $5.
• August 12, 1899, RCJ (rcj_18990812_0005.pdf, col. 2) reports "[YMCA] FIELD DAY A SUCCESS" and that in the half-mile bicycle race, the prize was a pair of shoes donated by William Best.
• September 22, 1900, RCJ reports (rcj_19000922_0005.pdf, col 1) William Best elected as a trustee of St. Pauls M. E. Church.

Shoe Store

William ran a shoe store in Nyack for many years. The store is mentioned numerous times in clippings found at https://news.hrvh.org, along with ads for the store.

This undated photo shows William Best (right) at his store:

The Rockland County Journal had an item (possibly an ad) headlined "CHANGE OF FRONT!" on February 21, 1874 (rcj_18740221_0008.pdf col. 3) that says William Best is taking over an existing shoe store previously run by Adam Barner, on Main Street, "third door west of Broadway". This is the earliest record of him running a store. This same item ran for the next several weeks.

On February 19 1876 he ran an ad headlined "CLOSING OUT" (rcj_18760219_0008.pdf, col. 3), which seems like a sale ad (markdowns 5% to 25%). It seems like he might have temporarily closed, because on October 28 there's a note saying that the store "formerly occupued by William Best" has reopened, signed "A. Best" (Amelia Moore (1840-1921)

His store was the local agent for a steamboat service between Nyack and New York City. There are numerous listings like this one from the September 29, 1877 Rockland County Journal:

H. S. Smith, Daily Messenger and Package Express between Nyack and New York. Via Steamboat. All Errands Promptly Done at Moderate Rates. Orders received at the shoe Store of William Best on Main Street, Nyack; also, at 204 West Street, N. Y.

An 1885 list of Nyack shoe dealers (rcj_18850103_0001.pdf col. 2) lists William Best "...still at his old stand on Main Street, a few doors west of Broadway..."

The November 20 1886 issue of RCJ (rcj_18861120_0005.pdf col. 1) says that "The report current a short time ago that Wm. Best had sold out his shoe business proved to be untrue. He still runs the business at the old stand."

In addition to shoes, the December 18 1886 RCJ (rcj_18861218_0005.pdf col 2) says that Best has greeting cards for customers:

William Best, one of our popular shoe dealers, has procured a lot of elegant cards, eaoh having on it a beautiful silver dove in relief. Mr. Best gives one of these souvenirs to each purchaser of $1.00 worth and upwards at his store, and he has kindly presented each of the employes of the Journal office with one, for which he will please accept the thanks of all hands.

Similarly in 1887 he was reported to be giving customers memo books or calendars for 1888 (rcj_18871217_0005.pdf, col. 2, also Independent Advertiser, indadv_18871223_01_0003.pdf col. 1).

In 1891 he apparently opened a new store. The April 25, 1891 issue of the Rockland County Journal contains this entry:

The New Store of William Best Well Worthy a Visit

Perhaps many people do not know it, but Nyack has some of the finest stores along the Hudson river, and the one just completed by Mr. William Best, the shoe man on Main Street, is no exception. The establishment is a thing of beauty and well worthy a visit. It's a nice, bright place. The shelving and trimmings are all of ash; the ceiling and sides are of Carolina pine, and that blessing to the present century, electricity, furnishes the light by night. In a cosy room in the rear repairing is done.

Mr. Best's place of business is one of the oldest in town. In his display of shoes for ladies, gentlemen, misses and children, he has a stock of goods that is hard to be surpassed. Anybody who favors fair dealing and cheap prices-- and who does not?-- cannot do better than give Mr. Best a call. Drop in and see the bright and cheery place.

He advertised his store regularly in the Rockland County Journal, for example this ad from July 13, 1892.

A note dated July 23 1892 (rcj_18920723_0005.pdf, col 1) mentions new curtains at the store.

The window of William Best's shoe store on Main street has been tastefully trimmed with curtains and has a prettier appearance than ever.

An ad the same day repeats the "third door west of Broadway location".

An ad from the 1895-03-15 RCJ (rcj_18900315_0008.pdf, cols 5-6) gives the store address as 53 Main St in Nyack. This is in the first block east of Broadway, while earlier mentions put the store west of Broadway. The 1892 ad mentioned above puts the store west of Broadway, so it's not clear what to make of this address. Maybe addresses on Main St. were renumbered at some point?

Death

After closing his shoe store, Best worked as a clerk at the Ramapo Foundry Company in Mahwah. While working there he was run over by a train and killed. The July 20, 1901 issue of Rockland County Journal (RocklandCountyJournal_19010720_0001.pdf, col. 1) contains a detailed account along with information on of the demise of his shoe store.

The article begins:

Full text:

MR. BEST FATALLY HURT.

RUN OVER BY TRAIN AT MAHWAH – DIED FROM INJURIES

Mr. Best, Who Was an Old Resident of Nyack, Was Acting as Shipping Clerk for the Ramapo Foundry Company When the Accident Occurred.

Mr. William Best, an old and well-known resident of Nyack, was fatally injured in the yard of the Ramapo Foundry Company, at Mahwah, on Monday afternoon. Mr. Best had recently been appointed Assisitant Shipping Clerk for the above company. Mr. Best was walking down the switch as the freight train which takes out the loaded cars was coming in. The train came down the switch with such speed that when it struck a car at some distance in the rear of Mr. Best, the car was suddenly shot forward several feet, and the bumpers caught Mr. Best in the back and knocked him over. There was no brakeman in the rear car, and the trucks passed completely over him, crushing his right leg to a jelly and injuring him severely in other ways.

As quickly as possible Mr. Best was taken from under the train and carried to a shady spot, and doctors were sent for. Dr. D. B. Van Wagenen was first on the scene and made arrangements to take the injured man to Paterson Hospital. Mr. Best, who was perfectly conscious, expressed a wish to be taken to his home in Nyack or the Nyack Hospital. The arrangement was changed and a team and wagon took him to Suffern. At that place, however, the train which leaves at 4:42, on the Erie main line, was held, and Mr. Best was sent down to the Paterson Hospital, accompanied by C. N. Johnson, the Shipping Clerk of the company.

Upon examination at the hospital, it was found that Mr. Best's leg, from the knee to the thigh, was mashed to pulp. When the surgeons were ready to perform an operation on the leg, Mr. Best died from internal bleeding. Word was telephoned to Nyack, and Undertaker Taylor went down to Paterson after the body.

The news of Mr. Best's accident and death was received with deep regret by his many Nyack friends, by all of whom he was held in high esteem. Mr. Best was born in Clarkstown and came to Nyack when a young boy. He learned the shoemaking trade here and followed it for a long time. He afterward opened a shoe store on Main Street, Nyack, and conducted it for years with success. During the latter months of his business, however, through strong competition, he was finally compelled to give up his large store, and then resolved to go into active work of some kind for a livelihood. He first embarked in the insurance business, but recently received an appointment to the position which he held at the time of his death, his family having intended soon to remove to Suffern.

William Best was one of Nyack's honest, upright, and conscientious citizens, and had the respect of every one who knew him. When a young man he joined the Methodist Church of Nyack, and no man ever exemplified the christianity he professed more fully than Mr. Best. He is survived by his wife and two daughters, Mrs. P. M. Harrington and Miss Susie Best, of Nyack.

The following issue-- July 27, 1901 (RocklandCountyJournal_19010727_0001.pdf, col. 1), has an item noting that his daughter Caroline Elsie Best (1872-1954) would adminstrate his estate:

In the estate of William Best, late of Nyack, deceased, petition of his daughter, Mrs. Carrie Harrington, for letters of administration presented. Renunciation of widow and other Child, Susan Best, filed, and letters issued.

Lawsuit

Following William Best's death, his daughter filed suit against the Erie Railroad company over the circumstances of his death. The August 17, 1901 issue of the Rockland County Journal (RocklandCountyJournal_19010817_0001.pdf col. 3) has an item headlined "TO SUE ERIE FOR $25,000". The item explains that Caroline Elsie Best (1872-1954) would sue the Erie Railroad Company for damages related to her father's death, represented by Tompkins & McFarlane, in a suit to be heard in November. The same issue mentions on page 5 that Judge Keough would hear the case, in Rockland [County] Supreme Court, New City NY. The amount would be about $820,000 in 2022.

The November 16 issue of that newspaper (RocklandCountyJournal_19011116_0001.pdf, last column) notes that the lawsuit began "on Tuesday afternoon". That would mean November 12. "The jury was obtained, and the taking of testimony was commenced this morning. Tompkins & McFarlane for plaintiff, Henry Bacon for defendant. This case will probably occupy the whole day, and perhaps longer." November 16 was a Saturday that year so it's not completely clear what day "this morning" is.

I didn't find an immediate followup (I don't know how long it would take) but the January 24, 1903 issue (RocklandCountyJournal_19030124_0001.pdf, col. 4) explains that Carrie Harrington won the lawsuit, that Erie appealed, and that the verdict had only just been affirmed "Friday", probably January 23.

The final amount would be about $164,000 in 2022.

• Parents: Henry Best (1819-1859), Mary Ballentine (1820-1857)
• Spouse: Amelia Moore (1840-1921)
• Siblings: Caroline Best (1845-1857), Ann Best (1848-1933)
• Children: Caroline Elsie Best (1872-1954), Susan Annie Best (1873-1940)