My Genealogy Hound

Col. Joseph G. Best (deceased), occupying the position of county court clerk at the time of his death, was born in County Monaghan, Ireland, May 8, 1838, the son of William and Mary (McCabe) Best, both of Scotch-Irish stock. Our subject came to the United States in 1839. He was reared and educated at Quincy, Ill., where he learned the brick mason’s trade. After the death of his parents he came to Memphis, in 1859, and followed his trade until November, 1861. He then joined Company I, Twenty-first Missouri Volunteer Infantry, under Col. (now Gen.) David Moore and served until April, 1866. He became sergeant-major, first lieutenant, captain, major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel, but was mustered out as lieutenant-colonel, on account of the numbers in his regiment. He had a colonel’s commission, however. He returned to Memphis and followed his trade until 1873, when he entered the employ of the Scotland County National Bank as bookkeeper, and continued until his election in November, 1882, to the position he was holding at the time of his death, which office he filled in a highly creditable manner. He was reared with the political principles of a Whig, but after the war was a Democrat. June 24, 1866, he married Frances D., a daughter of Gen. David Moore. Their children are William D., Frances D., Seward, James McC. and Helen. Col. Best passed all the chairs in the I. O. O. F., and has been a representative of the Grand Lodge. He was Post Commander and Adjutant of the G. A. R. He died August 6, 1887, from injuries received by being thrown from his buggy.