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Alvin Stewart Best Ranch
Alvin Stewart Best was a pioneer cattleman
of Douglas County and raised Hereford cattle under the brand Quarter
Circle Lazy B and Lazy S J. He married Bertha May Shirk in 1898 and
began ranching in Douglas County. After working other ranches in
Spring Valley (Gideon, Pratt and Lincoln ranches), he purchased the
McDowell Ranch in 1908, which lies one mile west of the
Spring Valley
Cemetery. Mr. Best was a county commissioner from 1912 to
1916 and also served as a school board member for Spring Valley School
for 40 years and Douglas County High School for 30 years.
His son Stuart continued the tradition of ranching until his death in
1976. Grace Best, Stuart’s wife, grew up in Louviers and was a
lifelong teacher. She began her career at
Glen Grove School, (a one
room school east of Perry Park) also she taught at
Spring Valley
School (a one room school, where her husband and his siblings attended
school). She later taught, 24 years, at Palmer Lake Elementary School.
Grace Best Elementary School in Monument, Colorado, is named for her.
 Alvin and Bertha Best
 Grace and Stuart Best and daughters; Doris, Charlotte and Janet. 1945
 Bertha and Alvin Best. 1951
 Grace Best, Stuart's wife.
Photo credit thanks to Janet Piscotta and Charlotte Rubenking, granddaughters of Alvin Best.
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