Industrialist, Businessman. Co-founder of the Caterpillar Tractor Company. Born the son of tractor manufacturing pioneer Daniel Best in Albany, Oregon, he began working for his father's company, the Best Manufacturing Company, right after high school. In 1908, his father sold the company to chief rival Benjamin Holt and his Holt Manufacturing Company and Clarence, who remained with the company after the sale, was appointed manager of the company's San Leandro plant. In 1910 he left Holt to found the C.L. Best Gas Traction Company, later renamed the C.L. Best Tractor Company in 1920. In 1925, Best and Holt merged their two companies together to found the Caterpillar Tractor Company with Best being appointed Chairman of the Board, a post he held until his death in 1951.
Industrialist, Businessman. Co-founder of the Caterpillar Tractor Company. Born the son of tractor manufacturing pioneer Daniel Best in Albany, Oregon, he began working for his father's company, the Best Manufacturing Company, right after high school. In 1908, his father sold the company to chief rival Benjamin Holt and his Holt Manufacturing Company and Clarence, who remained with the company after the sale, was appointed manager of the company's San Leandro plant. In 1910 he left Holt to found the C.L. Best Gas Traction Company, later renamed the C.L. Best Tractor Company in 1920. In 1925, Best and Holt merged their two companies together to found the Caterpillar Tractor Company with Best being appointed Chairman of the Board, a post he held until his death in 1951.
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Clarence Leo Best, 1878 - 1951
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