William Henry Best was born November 24, 1849, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the son of Thompson, and Selina Best.  In 1884 he became the agent in real estate, loans, and insurance for Stark and Company, and in 1888 Mr. Best was elected mayor of Casselton.  In 1891 the family moved to Fargo where Mr. Best became a life insurance agent and in 1896 appointed Fargo's Chief of Police.  He died May 3, 1898 and was buried in Riverside Cemetery.

The William Best Collection consists of correspondence and subject files, arranged alphabetically.  The correspondence ranges from 1859 to 1961.  Of interest is a copy of an 1859 letter describing an Indian attack on some wagons as well as correspondence with Linda Slaughter about the WCTU.  The subject files contain some biographical information on the Best family.  There's an assortment of legal and financial papers of the Best family such as bills, receipts, deeds, and teacher's contracts. 
 

Personal and Family Papers