William Henry Best was the son of Frederick and Elizabeth (Trowbridge) Best, born on October 6, 1837 in Elgin County, Ontario, Canada. Frederick and Elizabeth had ten children; John (1831), Dorothy Ann (1833), William Henry (1837), Catherine (1838) , Martha (1840), Casper (1842), Frederick (1844), Mary Elizabeth (1845), Sarah Jane (1847), Murphy (1851).

In the 1851 Canadian Census, William Henry is fifteen years old and is listed with his parents and and all nine of his siblings listed above.

In the 1861 Canadian Census, William is listed with his mother, Elizabeth, who is a widow. There are six siblings who remain with Elizabeth. He lists his occupation as farm laborer. He is twenty four years old.

William Henry married Sarah Neff on September 5, 1869 in Bayham, Ontario.

In the 1871 Canadian Census, William and Sarah are living in Bayham. William is a farmer and they have one infant daughter who is eight months old. Her name is Lilley.

William and Sarah had three children who died short after their birth. They were Margaret Elizabeth Best (1873-1877), William Clarence Best (1877-1877) and John Winsal Best (1878-1879)

By the 1881 Canadian Census, William and Sarah have three living children; Lilley, Cornelius (1872) and Catherine (1876).

One hundred and twenty years ago, William Henry died on September 15, 1900 of paralysis. William Henry Best is buried with the remaining Best Family members in the Best Cemetery in Bayham Township, Elgin County, Ontario.

Rest in peace, William Henry,

Love Jan

William Henry is my first cousin five times removed.