The birthday boy for today lived a very short life, but at least it was long enough for him to find a wife and have a few children. His wife ended up living quite a long life. You will read this family’s story today.

Martin Louis Best was born on July 23, 1894, so today would be his 132nd birthday. Martin was the son of Friedrich and Friedericke (Bultmann) Best. He was born in the vicinity Tilsit and Burfordville, small towns west of Cape Girardeau. It is a location which is also where the townships of Byrd, Kinder, and Hubble coincide. I think there is a good chance that Martin’s baptism record may be found in the books of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit. Martin is found in the 1900 census at the age of 5. His father was a farmer in the Byrd Township.

Martin’s father died in 1902 when he was just 7 years old. In the 1910 census, Martin’s mother was the head of the Best household and called a farmer. Martin and 2 older brothers were called laborers on that farm.

Martin had his World War I draft registration completed in June of 1917. He is given a Jackson, Missouri address, and it says he was employed in farming, with his brother identified as his employer. He was still single at the time. This form also says he was sickly.

I figure that Martin was engaged to be married when he filled out that form. Before we discuss his marriage, let’s take a look at the woman who would become his bride. Her name was Alma Wilhelmine Siebert, who was born on July 21, 1893. That means Alma’s birthday was 2 days before that of Martin. Alma was the daughter of Otto and Friedericke (Bruns) Siebert. She was also born near Tilsit, and I think her baptism record may be found in the books of Immanuel, Tilsit. Alma is found in the 1900 census at the age of 7. Her father was a farmer in the Kinder Township, which is near the town of Burfordville.

The last census in which we find Alma prior to her getting married is the next one taken in 1910. Alma was 16 years old at the time.

Martin Best married Alma Siebert on October 28, 1917. According to this couple’s Missouri marriage license below, they were married by Rev. F.H. Rudi, who was the pastor of Immanuel Lutheran Church in Tilsit.

Martin and Alma had 2 daughters, both of which were baptized at Trinity Lutheran Church in Cape Girardeau. One young daughter is found in the Best household when the 1920 census was taken. Martin was a farmer in the Byrd Township.

Another daughter was born later in 1920. In fact, that daughter was born on Martin’s 26th birthday, July 23, 1920. Then, in 1926, Martin Best died at the age of 31. His death certificate below says he died of pernicious anemia. This document says Martin was a truck driver.

Pernicious anemia is an autoimmune disease that does not permit the absorption of Vitamin B12, thus causing an inability to produce red blood cells. It is interesting that there was no treatment or cure for this illness until 1926, the year that Martin died.

Martin Best is buried in the Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery in Tilsit.

Alma is found as a widow in the 1930 census with both of her daughters in her household. Alma was called a house worker for a private family.

Alma would not get married again. In the 1940 census, she is found still living in Cape Girardeau with her 2 daughters. Alma is given no occupation, but both of her daughters were part of the work force.

The last census we can view, the 1950 census, lists Alma as being the head of the household, but she was living with her daughter, Laurine, who had married Erwin Dost, and their son. In Alma’s occupation column, it says laundry.

Alma Best did not die until 1987 when she was 93 years old. She died too recently to view her death certificate. Alma is buried in the Cape County Memorial Park in Cape Girardeau.

Alma Best spent over 60 years as a widow. That is a whole lot of years more than the few years she was married and had a family. Not only that, but as near as I could determine, Alma only had 1 grandchild, the Ronald Dost found in the 1950 census. And Ronald Dost died in 1967 at the very young age of 20. Alma also outlived him by 20 years. Martin Best also had a father who died at a very young age. I understand that pernicious anemia can possibly be hereditary. And we find Martin as being called sickly on his World War I draft certificate before he even got married to Alma. Alma may have witnessed Martin’s symptoms of his disease throughout her years of marriage. I happen to think this is a rather sad situation for Alma. However, the passage placed on Alma’s grave reminds us that she has now gained a better place where life never ends.