Harvey and William Best

Photographer: Best
Albia, Iowa
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Harvey Best (1866 - 1955)
William Best (1861 - 1918)

1861 Sep 20
Chariton, IA, state records, William Best is born to Joseph C Best and Elizabeth Creighton Alexander
1866 May 14
Chariton, IA, state records, Harvey E Best is botn to Joseph C Best and Elizabeth Creighton Alexander
1880
Charliton, IA, US census William Best as photographer age 18; Harvey is still in school at age 14
1882
Chicago, IL, city directory, William Best as cigar manufacturer with Best, Russell and Co. (Possibly not the same William Best)
1885
Chariton, IA, state census, Harvey Best no occupation shown
1888
Chariton, IA, state records, Harvey Best and Mabel W Myers are married; listed as photographer

1894
Chariton, IA, state records, daughter Marvel Doris Best is born to Harvey Best and Mabel W Myers
1898
Detroit, MI, city directory, Harvey E Best NOT listed
1899
Detroit, MI, city directory, Harvey E Best as retoucher; bds 184 2nd
1899 Nov 07
Detroit, MI, state records, Harvey E Best and Ida Risk are married; listed as photographer
1900
Grand Ledge, MI, US census Harvey E Best as photographer; res McMullen st;
1900 Jun 02
Chicago, IL, US census, William Best as a piano manufacturer; listed with wife and three children
1900
Detroit, MI, city directory, Harvey E Best NOT listed
1901
Detroit, MI, city directory, Harvey E Best (as Harry) as photographer, bds 397 Trombley av
1902
Detroit, MI, city directory, Harvey E Best NOT listed

1903, 1904
Detroit, MI, city directory, Harvey E Best (as Harry) with Goodson and Best, photographers, 1379 Jefferson; res: 28 Mansur
1905
Detroit, MI, city directory, Harvey E Best (as Harry), photographer; 28 Mansur
1906
Detroit, MI, city directory, Harvey Best as photographer, (as Harry) 38 Monroe; res same
1907
Detroit, MI, city directory, Harvey E Best as photographer, (as Harvey) 38 Monroe av; res 123 Linwood
1908
Detroit, MI, city directory, Harvey E Best as photographer, 39 Monroe; res 645 Humbolt
1910 Apr 25
Chicago, IL, US census William Best as picture framer, wife and three children listed; res 1433 S Clifton Park
1911
Detroit, MI, city directory, Harvey E Best as photographer; res 570 18th
1912
Detroit, MI, city directory, Harvey Best as photographer 648 Mich av; res 570 18th

1913
Detroit, MI, city directory, Harvey E Best as photographer at 648 Mich av; res 135 Leverett
1914
Detroit, Mi, & Des Moines, IA, city directory, Harvey Best NOT listed
1915
Des Moines, IA, city directory, Harvey E Best as photographer with Courtright Studio; res 1032 7th
1916 Aug 08
Ottumwa (IA) Weekly Courier small news item says Mr and Mrs Harvey Best of Des Moines, IA, is visiting his brother Jos Best in Ottumwa
1918
Muskegon, MI, city directory, Harvey Best with Melrose and Best as photographer; rms: 44 Lyman blk
1918 Dec 11
Chicago, IL, state records, William Best dies at age 57
1919, 1920
Muskegon, MI, city directory not available
1921
Muskegon, MI, city directory Harvey Best NOT listed; Adolph E Melrose as photographer at 44 Lyman blk

1930 Apr 07
Kansas City, MO, US census Harvey Best as “Healer”; res e 9th
1938 and 1941
Lansing, MI, city directory, Harvey Best as minister; living with Ida R, at Hotel Olds
1948
Lansing, MI, city directory, Harvey Best, no occupation shown
1951
Lansing, MI, city directory, Harvey Best as minister; res 509 Cherry
1954
Lansing, MI, city directory, Harvey Best as minister; res 704 Cherry
1955 Jul 04
Lansing, MI, State records, Harvey Best dies at age 89

This “Best” photographer is quite probably Harvey Best or his brother William Best. Both were photographers in the right period although William was a photographer only a short time. Both were born in Chariton, IA, Harvey moving to Detroit, MI, about 1899. William apparently lived in Chariton, IA, much of his life, dying in Chicago, IL, at age 57.

Nothing has been found to show which if either or both, worked in Albia, IA, to take this photograph. But, Albia is just 26 miles from Chariton.

William was photographer early on about 1880 but apparently did not continue in the business. A city directory for Chicago, IL, says there was a William Best in business as a cigar manufacturer. There is nothing to indicate it is the same William Best. The 1900 census places him in Chicago with wife and children where he is now a Piano Manufacturer. He died in 1918.

Harvey started in photography about 1887. Sometime after 1918, Harvey became a minister and “healer” in Detroit, MI, according to various city directory listings and the 1930 US census. He was not found in the 1920 US census.

It is quite likely that Harvey Best was the photographer for this cabinet card, sometime between 1885 and 1894.

Ottumwa (IA) Tri Weekly Courier - 08 Aug 1916

photographer: Best
Albia, IA
example from auction site

Lansing (MI) State Journal - 28 Apr 1955

Lansing (IL) Stat Journal - 05 Jul 1955

Not the one you were looking for? Here's the photographer's INDEX by name. Listed here are all the Cabinet Card photographers of the 19th century found in LOST GALLERY. This is a work in progress. For a look at the original postings go to LOST GALLERY.