From the Ogdensburg Republican Journal, 12 May 1924, p.10 [Monday.] Rev. Isaac O. Best. The April number of the Delta Upsilon Quarterly says: Hamilton College, Clinton, NY -67 - Reverend Isaac O. Best died March 28, 1923, at the home of his daughter in Grantwood, N.J. He had shown signs of increasing feebleness for some months, and several attacks of heart trouble had warned his family of the approaching end. On March 26 a hemorrhage of the brain left him with motion of speech impaired, and two days later a second stroke brought the end. His remains were taken to his home in Broadalbin, H.Y., and interred in the family lot in the cemetery there, after funeral services in the church of which he had been pastor for six years. During the 82 years of his life, he was a soldier, forming associations and rendering services that have endeared him to a host of comrades, pupils, parishioners and friends. A sketch of his life includes the following: Born January 4, 1841, in Oswegatchie, N.Y., of John and Elizabeth Duck Best, who both immigrated from England; prepared for college in 1861; enlisted in Company A, 16th N.Y. Infantry, in August, 1862; transferred t Company A, 121st N. Y. Infantry, in 1863, served for three years as secretary in the Adjutant General' s office, office of the Sixth Corps; returned to college in 1865 and graduated in 1867; taught for four years in Bloomsburg (Pa.) Literary Institute and State Normal School, 1867-71; served as principal of Mt. Morris (N.Y.) Academy, 1871-73; pastor of the Congregational Church, Otisco, N.Y., 1872-75, principal of Clinton Grammar School, 1875-91; pastor of the Presbyterian Churches of Broadalbin and Mayfield, N.Y.,1891-1901; pastor of Chili N.Y. Presbyterian Church 1901-1907; pastor a second time at Otisco, N.Y., 1907-12; retired and lived at Broadalbin till his death. During the Civil War, after nine months in the line, he was sent to the headmaster of the Sixth Corps as secretary. Copies of the original reports and orders were still in his possession at the time of his death. Shortly before his death he published a History of the 121st Regiment, N.Y. State Infantry, which has been highly praised as a thorough, intimate, and well-written history of the deeds of that famous regiment. For two years he was president of the regiment organization. He was very active in the affairs of the Grand Army of the Republic whenever (sic) he lived. At the time of his death he was commander of McKean Post in Broadalbin and necrologist of the Tri-County G.A.R. organization. It was through his efforts that the grave of every Civil War veteran in these counties was appropriately marked. During the Great War he did his part, serving under the appointment of the President as a member of the District Exemption Board of Northern New York. As principal of Clinton Grammar School, many young men came under his influence and were sent on to college and into positions of influence throughout the world. Pupils came to him from Japan, Bulgaria, Porto Rico, South Africa and South America, as well as from many parts of this country. His old pupils regard him with respect and affection. One of them wrote the following editorial in the Gloversville Morning Herald, March 30, 1923: "Although for years Rev. Best held an important part in the village life of Broadalbin and Mayfield, as principal of one of the leading and then flourishing preparatory schools of central New York he gained the greatest prominence. Scores of men of the present owe much to Rev. Best and Mrs. Best. Their home is remembered, and will continue to be pleasantly recalled, for years to come by men scattered throughout this and foreign countries, who, in their early manhood, were impressed with the genial, whole-souled hospitality of this teacher-preacher and his wonderful helpful wife. "Rev. Best was a man possessed of a wonderful fighting spirt, a characteristic that marked his entire life in civic life quite as well as in military affairs. He was a Godly man withal, just as righteous as he was fearless, and any man, whoever he was or to whatever heights he aspired or later gained, is or was a better man for having fallen under the influence and training of Rev. Best." Many will remember Brother Best for his love of gardening, horticulture and outdoor life. Wherever he lived, there was found a bower of trees and shrubs and flowers. Fruits of all kinds flourished under his expert care.