John Henry (Harry) BEST Family

MIGenWeb Family Group Sheet

Genesee and Houghton Counties
Return to MIGenWeb Family Group Sheet

Copyright 2003 James Colin Best. All rights reserved. USGenWeb Copyright Notice
Submitted by: James Colin Best
Please contact submitter with any questions or to exchange data on this family.

2 Dec 2003 Family Group Sheet
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Husband: John Henry (Harry) Best #1527 died at age: 51 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Born: 18 Feb 1869 in: St Austell, Cornwall. MI FHS Society 
Baptized: in: 
Died: 19 Jul 1920 ?? in: Alberni, Vancouver, British Columbia 
Buried: xx Jul 1920 ? in: Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada????? 
Other: in: Not sure if correct person who died.???? 
Ref: Occupation: Pump engine driver 
Father: John Henry Best #1516
Mother: Ellen Eddy #1523
Worked at Houghton County copper mines in Houghton Co, MI. (Calumet) Was an
engine driver on hoisting or pumping of mines. Went to Michigan with brother
Victor Emanuel Best. Believed he was involved in a miner's strike about 1913
in Houghton County. Always used name of Harry Best & married with that name.
Arrived via Ellis Island on 5 July 1903 from Cornwall. Went to Calumet in
Houghton County, Michigan. (Copper mines) There is some evidence that he had
been to USA before this arrival.?? Believed shot during miner's strike.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wife: Phillipa Annie Mellow <Annie> #2810 
Married: xx Mar 1893 in: St Austell, Cornwall. his age: 24 her age: 19 
Ceremony: Divorced/Annulled/Separated: Year: 
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Born: 26 Sep 1873 in: St Stephens in Brannel, Cornwall. 
Baptized: 7 Jun 1874 in: St Stephens in Brannel. 
Died: Unknown in: Unknown place in USA 
Buried: in: 
Other: in: 
Ref: Occupation: Home duties 
Father: Solomon Cundy Mellow #1582
Mother: Elizabeth Best #1509
Died of consumption or now known as tuberculosis. It was called 'Mountain
Fever' in those times in the USA. Date of death from Lorene Wilson of Flint, MI
Always used the name of Annie. In the 1901 Census Carl was 7 yrs and Daulfred
was 4 yrs old. Her Father, Solomon Cundy Mellow was living with them. From
old employment record for Harry, her name is listed as Emily, married in St
Austell. At this time Harry was working in the Mass Mine in Timmins??? Ontario
Canada.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
M Child 1 Carlson (Carl) Arthur Best #5347 
Born: 23 Dec 1894 in: Melembor, St Stephens in Brannel,Cornw. 
Baptized: in: 
Died: 3 Jun 1918 in: Fervent, France. Result of World War 1. 
Buried: x Jun 1918 in: St Hilaire Cemetery Ext. Frevent, France 
Other: in: 
Ref: Occupation: Labourer/Soldier WW1 
Arrived with parents 5 July 1903 at Ellis Island. Enlisted in the Canadian
Overseas Expeditionary Force (Army) on 21 July 1817. Regimental No 2137675.
Gave his home address from Attestation Papers as Bidwell St, Vancouver and his
Father as Harry Best. He is described as 5ft 4 in, age 23yrs, black hair and
dark complexion. He died during his service in WW1 in France on 3 June 1918
& buried in St Hilaire Cemetery Extension. He was in the 29th Canadian Infant.
British Columbia Division. Awarded the Military Medal.


-2-

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
M Child 2 Daulferd Best #5348 
Born: Abt 1897 in: St Stephens in Brannel, Cornwall. 
Baptized: in: 
Died: 4 Nov 1966 in: Burnaby, Vancouver, British Columbia. 
Buried: x Nov 1986 in: Canada. ????? 
Other: in: 
Ref: 1966-09-014643 Occupation: 
Arrived with his parents at Ellis Island on 5 July 1903. The death date has
to be confirmed as at 12 Nov 03-not sure yet if correct person, but age checks
out and probably him. Listed on the British Columbia web site.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

John Henry (Harry) Best was a brother of Victor Emanuel Best. It is believed (not confirmed) that he ended up in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

This information from James Colin Best, Adelaide, South Australia
Email address: gumnut23@hotmail.com