While I was away...

This summer when I went to my family reunion I was blessed that my cousin loaned me a photo album that belonged to my great grandmother. For the last month, I have been having fun finding out who some of these people are and where they had been. Some were relatives and some were not, for instance: I found this gentleman and the notice of his death in there. His full name was Oliver Washington Best. He was born in Kentucky, was 6'1" tall with a fair complexion, blue eyes and gray hair. He was a widowed farmer, could read and write as well. He enlisted in the Army on July 12, 1863 as a Private in Columbia, California and served in Company H of the California 6th Infantry Regiment. He was discharged on October 25, 1865 with a pension of $12.00 a month and made his home in Chico, California.

On October 12, 1905 he was admitted to the US National Home for Disabled Soldiers in Los Angeles, Ca (Sawtelle Pacific Branch) with partial paralysis of his left side. He died August 14, 1907 of paralysis and is buried at Western Branch.

I don't know how he fits into my family. Perhaps at some time or another he was a neighbor. Maybe in Missouri. I just don't know. It was fun though learning about him. Here is what I learned about his military unit.

6th Infantry Regiment, Company H, 1864-1865 (Military Unit Designation)
Date of Organization:
March 4, 1864

Date of Disbanding:
October 25, 1865

Geographic Location(s):
Benicia Barracks

I will research him more. I wonder if 100 years after I am gone, someone will try to know me. :-)