Henry C. Best

Source: Biographical and Historical Cyclopedia of Westmoreland County, Pennsylvania. Samuel T. Wiley, Chief Assistant, John M. Gresham & Co: Philadelphia, 1890, pp. 229-230.

Henry C. Best, who is the head of one of the representative milling companies of southwestern Pennsylvania, and the founder of the Broadway Flour-Mills of Scottdale, is a son of William and Elisabeth (Wadsworth) Best, and was born in Derry township, Westmoreland county, Pa., February 28, 1846. His maternal grandfather, Thomas Wadsworth, was a shoemaker and at ninety-seven years of age, when in good health and with splendid prospects of reaching is one-hundredth birthday, he was struck by a locomotive and killed at St. Clair while attempting to cross the Pennsylvania railroad track at the place. William Best (father) is a native of Derry township where he was engaged in gaming and stock dealing until 1886 when in that year he removed to his present home un Latrobe. He is a faithful member of the Methodist Episcopal Church. His wife died in 1888, aged sixty-seven years, and who was a member of the same church as her husband.

Henry C. Best was reared on a farm in Derry township, and received his education in the common schools and Latrobe normal school. Leaving the school room, he went on the Pennsylvania railroad where he labored for several years. He then was engaged for some time in farming and teaching. In 1877 he was appointed postmaster at Latrobe and filled the office very acceptably for four years; he then resigned that position and was appointed sealer of weights of measures for Westmoreland county. He was appointed to this position in 1881 by Gov. Hartranft, and served about twelve months when the office was dispersed with by the Legislature of the State. In the spring of 1882 he accepted a position as salesman with P.H. Soxman & Co., of Latrobe, dealers in agricultural implements. After a year’s service with this firm he determined upon embarking in some well established line of business. The milling industry presented sufficient advantages for a successful business, and he became and remained a member of the Latrobe Milling Company until January 1, 1885, when he was appointed chief clerk of the county commissioners and served in that capacity for three years. In 1888 he removed to Scottdale, purchased the old Gongaware grist mill on Broadway, and with characteristic energy and push he took out all the old machinery, enlarging the plant, making a four-story iron-clad mill 47x56 feet in size, which is now known as the Broadway flour-mills. They are fully equipped with the latest improved milling facilities on the full roller graduating plan, including eight rollers, bolting cleats, reels, purifiers, elevators, bran dusters, packing chests, and an endless variety of other necessary and improved machinery, which receives power from an engine of 65-horse power and has a capacity of eighty barrels in twenty four hours. On April 1, 1889, he sold a half interest to Albert Keister. They have operated the Broadway flour mills ever since under the firm name of Scottdale Milling Company, and are manufacturers of favorite brands of pure roller flour, corn meal and chop. Of all the great staple products entering largely into general consumption not one commands the interest and importance of flour; nor of late years has any other branch of industry in this country made such marked improvements as milling. Among those who are in the front rank of improvements is the milling company above named. They have attained an enviable reputation for their high grade of flour and mill feed, of which the “Diadem” and “Pearl” brands have a strong hold upon public flavor throughout this and adjoining counties.

On the 17^th day of May, 1866, he married Mary A. Soxman, daughter of the late Joseph Soxman of Latrobe. They have five children, two sons and three daughters: Annie J., Ada B., Willie J., Alice M. and Harry.

H.C. Best is a member of Latrobe Lodge, No. 541, Independent Order of Odd Fellows. He is a member of the German Reformed Reformed church and is in the front rank of the business men of Westmoreland county.

[Transcribed verbatim, February 11, 2003, by Barbara Beck-Ramsay]