Francis William BEST

July 29, 1871, Solomon Valley Pioneer.

We regret to record the death of our townsman **Francis
William Best, proprietor of the Hotel here, who died of
pulmonary consumption on Tuesday last; with which
disease he had been afflicted for many years. Dr. Osborn
attended him, but the fatal malady had made such as
inroads on the constitution as to defy all medicinal
remedies.

Mr. Best was born in Leiligh County, Pa. Nov 27th,
1827, where his parents were also born, and are now
living in the neighboring county of Cleveland. In 1854
he married Miss Mary Huckle, daugher of Wm. & Mary
Huckle, farmers, of Sullivan County, Pa. in which
county Mr. Best subsequently took up his residence. The
issue of the marriage was five daughters and three sons.
In the spring of 1870 he came with his family to Kansas
and settled at Cawker City, but finding that the toils and
difficulties of a frontier life would be greater than his
impaired health would enable him to endure; he soon
decided on returning, having during his short stay at
Cawker City lost his eldest son who was buried there. In
September last he purchased the Hotel here from Mr.
Seymour Ayres and together with his wife and family
has conducted its business ever since.

Mrs. Best, who is a most active industrious and
estimable lady, in running the Hotel in which arduous
task she has our best wishes for her success and our
sincere condolence for her bereavement.

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The Obituary stated that his mother and father were both from Leiligh County, Pa., but their names were not given. It also left out his ten brothers & sisters names. This information my not have been all that important at that time, but today as their ancestors look into their family’s past it becomes very important, so I will add them now.

John BEST.
Birth: 17 Aug 1799, Northampton Co., Pa.
Death: 17 Feb 1881 Pa.

Leah FINK
Birth: Abt. 1801 Northampton Co., Pa.
Death: 14 Jul 1882..

Brothers & Sisters.

Sarah Anna BEST, Born: 3 Jan 1825, Place: Lamar Township, Clinton County, Pa. Died: 12 Nov 1892

Abraham Joshua BEST, Born: 21 Jan 1836, Place: Porter Township, Centre County, Pa. Died: Aft Apr 1879, Place: Kansas.

Mary Catherine BEST, Born: 4 Oct 1833, Place: Lamar Township, Clinton County, Pa. Died: 22 Aug 1922.

James Irvin BEST, Born: 6 Oct 1843, Place: Porter Township, Centre County, Pa. Died: 15 Sep 1848.

Samuel Fink BEST, Born: 6 Oct 1843, Place: Porter Township, Centre County, Pa. Died: 30 Jan 1928, Place: Bennington, Kansas.

John Franklin BEST, Born: 12 Mar 1829, Place: Lamar Township, Clinton County, Pa. Died: 17 Apr 1906.

Peter Emanuel BEST, Born: 27 Mar 1840, Place: Porter Township, Centre County, Pa. Died: 12 Jul 1918.

Leah Elizabeth BEST, Born: 22 May 1838, Place: Porter Township, Centre County, Pa. Died: 2 Jan 1909.

Rebecca BEST, Born: 4 Jun 1826, Place: Lamar Township, Clinton County, Pa. Died: 18 Dec 1916.

Stephen Henry BEST, Born: 3 Sep 1831, Place: Lamar Township, Clinton County, Pa. Died: 1 Apr 1919.

Francis William BEST, Born: 28 Nov 1827, Place: Lamar Township, Clinton County, Pa. Dird: 25 Jul 1871, Place: Kansas.

You will note that Mr. Best place of birth and date differ from those in the obituary. There could be many reason way, his wife couldn’t remember, she was up set and just give the wrong information. Like I said there could be a lot of reason way, but because of the difference of this information it should be further research before being stated as fact.