John Best and Emma Caroline Beamer

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Husband John Best ^{1 2}

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           Born: 11 Oct 1853 - Greensburg, Westmoreland Co, PA 2
     Christened: 
           Died: Aft 1906
         Buried: 

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         Father: Robert Cruson Best (1812-Abt 1865) 2 3 4
         Mother: Anna B. Bierer (1830-Aft 1906) 2 3 5

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       Marriage: 21 Jul 1874 6 7

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Wife Emma Caroline Beamer ^{1 7}

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            AKA: Emma Catherine Beamer 6
           Born: 19 Apr 1854 1 7
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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         Father: Jacob Beamer (1830-Aft 1890) 1 7 8
         Mother: Susannah Brinker (1835-1872) 1 7 8

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Children

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1 F Lillian Best ^{6 7}

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           Born: 18 Jul 1875 6 7
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: George Edward Evans (      -      ) 6 7
           Marr: 28 Jul 1900 6

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2 M Paul Kirk Best ⁷

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           Born: 22 Feb 1880 7
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 
         Status: Twin

         Spouse: Elizabeth Mecbach (      -      ) 6
           Marr: 18 Oct 1904 6 7

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3 F Anna Best ⁷

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           Born: 22 Feb 1880 7
     Christened: 
           Died: 19 Jul 1880 7
         Buried:  - Brush Creek Cemetery, near Manor Station, Westmoreland Co, PA
         Status: Twin

         Spouse: Did Not Marry

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4 M Charles Micombre Best ^{6 7}

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           Born: 19 Mar 1881 6 7
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Bessie Myers (      -      ) 6
           Marr: 11 Jun 1902 6 7

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5 M Philip C. Best ⁷

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           Born: 29 Jun 1888 7
     Christened: 
           Died: 4 Aug 1888 7
         Buried: 

         Spouse: Did Not Marry

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6 F Mellissa Rosalie Best ⁶

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            AKA: Melissa R. Best 7
           Born: 8 Jul 1886 or 1887 6 7
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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7 M Marquis De Witt Best ⁷

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            AKA: Marcus Dewitt Best 6
           Born: 6 Dec or 26 Dec 1891 6 7
     Christened: 
           Died: 
         Buried: 

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General Notes: Husband - John Best

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He attended the public schools until eleven years of age, when his father died, and he being the eldest of nine children was compelled to abandon his studies and aid in the support of the family. He secured employment with John Ewing, a farmer of Hempfield township, and remained with him until 1869, in which year he began to learn the trade of stone mason with a Mr. Steiner, of Irwin, with whom he worked for three years. He then served an apprenticeship at brick laying with Reese Brothers, contractors of Pittsburgh, and remained with them until 1876, when he engaged in contracting on his own account. After a period of a few months he accepted a position as foreman of stone and brick construction work for Andrew Carnegie, at Larimer, continuing in that capacity until 1881. He then engaged in the contracting and building business at Greensburg, continued the same until 1888, during which time he erected some of the largest buildings of that place, among them being the following: The Gillander and Company glass works buildings, the Greensburg Glass Company buildings, and the old school building of St. Joseph's Academy. Early in 1889 Mr. Best was attacked with a severe case of pneumonia, which incapacitated him for active business pursuits for a period of two years. When convalescent he took up his residence in Jeannette and established a furniture store, which he successfully conducted until December, 1899, when he sold out, after which he engaged in the real estate, insurance and safe deposit business.
Mr. Best was the holder and inventor of a patent for a "propelling wheel" for river and lake steamers, which required less power to run then similar devices in use. He was offered a large sum of money this patent, but refused the offer, as he expected to incorporate and manufacture the article himself.
Mr. Best was an active member of the First Presbyterian church of Jeannette, and his political affiliations were with the Democratic party, the principles of which he firmly believed to be for the best form of government.

1 Samuel T. Wiley, Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: John M. Gresham & Co., 1890.), Pg 352.

2 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. III (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 162.

3 Samuel T. Wiley, Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania (Philadelphia, PA: John M. Gresham & Co., 1890.), Pg 48.

4 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. II (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 589.

5 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. II (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 590.

6 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. III (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 163.

7 The Lauffer History. A Genealogical Chart of the Descendents of Christian Lauffer, the Pioneer. (Jeannette, PA: Press of the Westmoreland Journal, 1906), Pg 32.

8 John W. Jordan, History of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania, Genealogical Memoirs, Vol. II (Chicago, IL: The Lewis Publishing Company, 1906), Pg 403, 555.