Imperial
County
Biographies
WILLIAM
JAMES BEST
William James Best, chairman of the board of
supervisors of Imperial county, with office in the
courthouse at El Centro, is a resident of Calexico. He was born in Grundy county, Illinois, August 23, 1868, his parents being R. C.
and Hannah (Kale) Best, natives of Pennsylvania. R. C. Best, a coal miner and
farmer, left the east for Illinois in an early day and followed agricultural
pursuits in that state until his son William was fourteen years of age, when he
removed with his family to Nebraska, where he spent the remainder of his life.
He was a worthy exemplar of the teachings and purposes of the Masonic
fraternity, to which he belonged. To him and his wife, who is also deceased,
were born ten children, nine of whom survive.
William J. Best acquired his
education in the public schools of his native state and assisted his father in
the work of farming in both Illinois and Nebraska, as well as in coal mining,
while subsequently he engaged in railroad work. It was in 1898 that he came to
the Imperial Valley. He was in the employ of the Texas railroads, the Santa Fe
and the Southern Pacific. Mr. Best took up land south of Yuma, Arizona, but
later sold this and for many years thereafter was actively engaged in
irrigation work, the building of canals and in similar projects which
constituted an important factor in the improvement and development of this part
of the country. He has always been helpfully interested in public affairs and in
1930 was elected a member of the board of supervisors of Imperial county, of which he is now chairman. His record in office is
a most commendable one, for he has rendered effective and valuable service to
his fellow citizens.
Fraternally Mr. Best is a member of
the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks at Calexico and is chaplain of
Calexico Lodge, No. 412, F. & A. M., at Calexico; and Scottish Rite
Consistory of Los Angeles. Fishing and hunting are his favorite sports, and in
the early days he frequently stalked deer and quail. He has in his possession a
fine collection of early photographs of the Imperial Valley, and it may be
mentioned here that Mr. Best was one of the men who prevented the flooding of
the valley by the Colorado river. His home is at 821
East Seventh street in Calexico, where his many
friends attest his personal popularity.
Transcribed By:
Cecelia M. Setty.
Source: California
of the South Vol. V,
by John Steven McGroarty, Pages 123-124,
Clarke Publ., Chicago, Los Angeles,
Indianapolis. 1933.
© 2012 Cecelia
M. Setty.