James Madison Best

James Madison Best was Born on 12 June 1844 in Blount County, Tennessee. He was, by occupation, a Farmer. At the age of seventeen, he was six foot, one inch tall, with dark complexion, dark hair and blue eyes. He was able to read and write, which indicates that he had some schooling. His family were pro-unionist in their beliefs. On 10 February 1862 he enlisted in Company "A", 3rd Regiment of the East Tennessee Infantry at Flat Lick, Kentucky. He joined with his four brothers; John F. Best, Daniel Best, William Riley Best and Henry A. Best.

Tennessee, being a border state, had divided loyalties during the civil war and Blount County was no different. The Bests were members of the Home Guard. It was the official organization whose members tried to protect people against marauding bands, some whom were Confederates and others simply looters. James Madison Best's father was killed as a result of being pro-unionist.

Meanwhile, James M. Best served a three year enlistment. In August 1862, he was captured at Richmond, Kentucky by a contingent of General E. Kirby Smith's Confederate Army of Kentucky. He was paroled after 24 hours and was later exchanged as a prisoner at Camp Chase, Ohio near Cincinnati. He contracted various ailments while in the Union Army (i.e. rheumatism, mumps and influenza). He was treated for temporary blindness as a result of action at Carthage, Tennessee and was interned at a field hospital in Murfresboro. He fought at varous places in Georgia, including the Battle of Pine Mountain on 5 August 1864. He was honorably discharged on 23 Februaruy 1865 at Nashville, Tennessee.

When he and his Brothers were discharged in 1865, they went home only to find things in turmoil. James Best decided to visit his Uncle Henry Best and brother Daniel in Andrew Conty, Missouri. While living there James met and Married Christina Lydia Ann Davis on 13 May 1866. The new family moved to Pickering, Nodaway County, Missouri. John A. Best was born on 2 March 1869. Another child, a girl, was born but died in Infancy. Lydia Ann Best Died on 3 February 1871. With his four year old son, James moved back to Blount County, Tennessee. While he was living in Missouri his father's estate was settled and apparently he and Daniel were excluded. He lived with his brother John Best. While living in Blount County, near Brickmill, he applied for a pesion in May 1880.

On 21 October 1880, he married Catherine H. Swan at Wells, Murray County, Georgia in a Justice of Peace ceremony. She was reputed to be a distant cousin that he had met during his service in Georgia. Catherine Swan was born on 10 April 1844 in Tennessee. Catherine Swan was on oly child who was raised on a tabacco farm. She chewed tabacco all her life. As she helped her father, he would say to her, "Here Jim take a leaf and chew it". The habit stayed with her all her life. Yet, she lived to be over 92 years old. She was of a sweet and good natured disposition. She was educated and taught school. Of this union where born: Dora Ann (August 1882), Joseph Blaine (15 June 1883), George Boston (23 October 1885) and Cecelia Ann (6 march 1889). While living in Murray County, James M. Best applied for a pesion in 1890 and in 1891.

In 1894 James M. Best moved his family to oklahoma Territory where they lived on the east side of the town of Kingfisher. In 1897 they moved to a farm east of Kingfisher, north of Hambright School. He was a member of the Baptist faith until he moved to Oklahoma, there he joined the Methodist Church. Early into the new century, James Madison Best sold his farm and moved to Kingfisher, just north of the Kingfisher Creek bridge. It had a large barn, a hen house, an outhouse and a four room white frame house with porches on the south and est side. The grounds had a cistern for drinking water, roses, currant bushes on the south and east side of the house and lots of irises which was their favorite flower.

In his later years, James M. Best was a big heavy framed person with a moustache. He was a kind, lovable person, very proud and stood so erect. He was called Col. Best because he was respected as a southern gentleman. He died in Kingfisher Cemetery. He was survived by his second wife, Catherine Best (She died on 16 August 1936 in Kingfisher).

Obituary:

    Col. Best passed away Sunday after noon at one o'clock. He had been in the hospital at Oklahoma City for a couple of weeks. The Burial services will be in charge of the G.A.R. Post.

James Madison Best was the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Best of Tennessee. He was born June 12, 1844, in Blount County, Tennessee. Died October 11, 1914, aged 70 years and 4 months.
Mr. Best enlisted at the age of 18 years and served three and one-half years in the Union army.

    At the age of 22 he was married to Lydia Davis of Missouri, two children being born of this union, one passing away infancy. The mother died in 1871 at Pickering, Mo. Later James Madison Best was married to the present wife, Catharine S. swan of Georgia, on October 21, 1880. To this union were born, four children, two girls and two boys. The eldest, a girl, died in Infancy. 

Col. Best was united with the Baptist church early in life and remained a member until recently when he united witht he M.E. Church of this city.
The funeral was held from the M.E. church at 10 o'clock this morning, conducted by Rev. R. L. Grant, pastor. Interment in Kingfisher cemetery.
Col Best was an '89er and was one of the most prominent figures in helping to build up Oklahoma in her pioneer days.
James Madison Best had homesteaded the southwest quarter section 29 of 16 north, 5 west Logan Township, Kingfisher County, Oklahoma. Probably baught for $300.00 in 1898 and sold in 1913 for $4,100.00. He also hmesteaded the southeast quarter section 5 of 15 north, 6 west of Indian Meridian, Lynn Township, Kingfisher County, Oklahoma.

• Reference: MyHeritage Family Trees - SmartCopy: Apr 29 2017, 4:15:59 UTC