BEST, FREEMAN (VETERAN UNION) - Pulaski County, Missouri | FREEMAN (VETERAN UNION) BEST - Missouri Gravestone Photos

Freeman (Veteran Union) BEST

Fox Crossing Cemetery
Pulaski County,
Missouri

Private, 155 Regiment, Ohio National Guard Infantry
Civil War (Union)
May 10, 1848 - June 18, 1915

Born Mahoning County Ohio.
Died St. James, Phelps County, Missouri.

Son of Jacob "Jake" & Amanda "Mandy" Strock Best
Married (1) Sarah Jane Zeigler on October 26, 1871, in Little York, York County, Pennsylvania.
Married (2) Mary E. Goodman & Divorced.
Married (3) Mrs. America Berry on November 10, 1909, in St. James, Missouri.

Freeman Best's father came to the United States as an indentured servant. It is probable that Best was not the family surname since no record can be found of Jacob Best immigrating to the United States. In all probability, Best was an English name that sounded similar to his German name. Freeman's mother died and his father remarried. Freeman and his step-mother did not get along, and he ran away from home and followed a unit of the Ohio National Guard until they eventually enlisted him. Freeman Best told his family that he grew up speaking German and did not learn to speak English until he was with the Ohio National Guard.

He and Sarah Jane Zeigler Best were the parents of seven children: Nina Lillian; Hessie Gay; Murray; Daisy; An un-named infant; Arundle Hill "Rennie"; and Walter Freeman. The un-named infant, Murray, and Daisy died at early ages.

Obituary that was printed in Dixon Pilot, Dixon, Missouri:

"ANOTHER OLD VETERAN GONE"

Freeman Best was born in Mahoning County, Ohio, May 10, 1848. Died June 18, 1915, living 62 years, 1 month, and 6 days of age, was married to Miss Sarah Zeigler, at Little York, Pennsylvania, in 1871. To this union was born seven children, three of whom died in infancy. The remaining four are: Mrs. Nina Hand, Mrs. Hessie Vaughn, A. H. Best, and W. F. Best. Mrs. Sarah Best died November 30, 1903. Mr. Best then married America C. Berry, at St. James, Missouri, November 10, 1909, who with his four children survive him.

Mr. Best was an old soldier, having been a member of the 155th Ohio Infantry. Four old veterans went to the funeral from Dixon and served as pallbearers for their old comrade, together with other veterans. A large number of relatives, friends, and neighbors attended the funeral, at the Fox Crossing Cemetery. Rev. John Haley officiated at a short service held at the cemetery, the last resting place of comrade Best.

Contributed on 7/9/16 by maxparnell
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Record #: 793582

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Submitted: 7/9/16 • Approved: 7/11/16 • Last Updated: 4/16/18 • R793582-G0-S3

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