21) William Jones Best: Elected mayor for the Town of Welland in 1903 & 1904

Vital statistics

Birth: September 22, 1852 at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Canada

Death: April 26, 1942 at Welland, Ontario, Canada (age 89)

Burial place: Woodlawn Cemetery (Find a Grave)

Parents: Robert / Annie

Spouse: Henrietta Jane (née Locke)

Children: Clara Fanny / Robert Harry / J. Frank

Occupation: Butcher

Religion: Anglican

Political affiliation: Conservative

Community affiliations: President of the County Agricultural Society / President of the Town Conservative Association / Public School Trustee / Treasurer of the County Conservative Association / Board of Water Commissioners / Chairman of Hydro Commission / Welland Board of Trade / Welland Fire Company honourary member / Warden of Anglican church / Horticulture Society

Profile

William Jones (also known as Billy) Best was born on September 22, 1852 at Niagara-on-the-Lake, to Robert and Annie Best. He grew up in Niagara-on-the-Lake, attending the public school there. When he was around twenty years old he moved to Chicago and spent six years there (not long after the Chicago fire of 1871 when the city was still in ruins). This was because his father Robert was engaged in the meat business and William moved to Chicago to work for an oyster concern. It was finally 1880, when he was nearly thirty, that he moved to Welland to join his brother (Robert B.) in the butcher business. The partnership was dissolved in 1886 when his brother moved to Vancouver, but William maintained the business until 1906 when he retired. He lived in a beautiful home at 15 Hellems Ave.

His store was located on East Main Street and was one of the leading meat markets in the county. Here is text from an advertisement he ran in a December 19, 1890 edition of the Welland Telegraph: “Wm. J. Best: In greeting his many friends and customers desires to remind them that he still leads in the great Xmas display of Meats, both in quantity and quality, specially fatted for his own market. DRESSED POULTRY – The best in the market, especially fatted for his Holiday Trade, in Turkeys, Geese, Ducks and Chickens. Mince Meats, Sausages, Head Cheese, Tripe, Pickled and Smoked Meats, etc. Everything to aid in Christmas cheer.”

William was elected as a councillor ten times between 1889 and 1918. He was acclaimed as mayor twice in 1903 & 1904. When he came to Welland in 1880 it had only been a town for two years and was still referred to as a “village of mud,” but over the course of his life he saw it grow into a modern city and indeed took part in the decisions which led to such growth. “The… town council and city council, the water commission, school board and hydro commission all gained the benefit of his mature judgment and business experience. He had the remarkable record of contributing, in an official capacity, to the progress and development of his municipality, over a period of almost 60 years.” Also from the same editorial after his death, it was said that truthfully “Billy” Best never made an enemy, with a friendliness of such a sincere nature that it stands the test of time.

A bit more on his character and his interests, it was said he was blessed with a strong physique and a cheerful outlook on life. He was a great lover of horticulture/gardening, caring for a flock of Black Minorcas and raising a garden every year. Relatedly, one of his enduring legacies in Welland is Merritt Park. In association with W. M. German, it was William who was largely instrumental in converting what was considered an eye-sore property along the canal bank into a beautiful park, known as Merritt Park. He was also interested in racing horses and other sports such as lawn bowling. He was also patriotic, best exemplified in the fact that both of his sons fought in WWI. Frank was wounded in the war, and Harry paid the ultimate sacrifice and was killed in action.

In his later years one of his favourite pastimes was to make calls on friends who could no longer get out. He had reached 89 years of age and was likely to have lived for even longer, unfortunately his death was due to a tragic accident. In April of 1942 he was tending to a bonfire on the lawn at his home when he fell into the fire. He suffered severe burns and died three days later at the Welland County General Hospital. His obituary stated that his death, and especially the manner it occurred in, was widely regretted.

Sources

Coombs, Albert Ernest, “The History of the Niagara Peninsula” (1930), 258-259.
“A Long and Useful Life.” Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, April 28, 1942.
“W. J. Best Dies 3 Days After Tragic Mishap.” Welland-Port Colborne Evening Tribune, April 27, 1942.
“Wm. J. Best.” Welland Telegraph, December 19, 1890.