Luther Best was born in Salona, Clinton County Pennsylvania, the son of John W. and Catherine L. Shaefer Best. He married Sarah Green Fletcher, the daughter of James M. and Effie L. (McCann) Fletcher in 1868. They had four children to their union: Louisa Catherine "Lula" Best, Edwin Myers "Ed" Best, Leonard Aaron "Lenny" Best and Hodda Harry "Hod" Best. Luther Best passed away in Little Rock Arkansas in 1915.

The older residents of this vicinity will remember well Martin L. Best whose burial took place at Monrovia, Friday, Sept. 3, 1915. Mr. Best had always been hearty and rugged but when stricken with malaria fever, he succumbed after a few days illness. The deceased was born May, 16, 1847 at Saloma, Clinton county, Pennsylvania. he came with his parents to Monrovia, Kans. in March 1861, and enlisted in the 17th Kansas Regiment in 1864 in one hundred days service. After the expiration of his time at this, he was employed as teamster for the ambulance wagon for General Kearney and General Custer and it just happened that he was not with Gen. Custer at the time of the great slaughter and when Gen. Custer, himself was slain. He was united in marriage to Sarah Fletcher, a relative of the Fletchers in Atchison, in 1868. To this union four children were born, Lula Walker of Bald knob, Arkansas; Edward of Atchison, Kansas; leonard A. (deceased) and Edward H. of Little Rock, Arkansas. Out of a family of ten children, he is survived by two brothers, A. S. Best of Effingham, Henry F. of Phars, Texas and a sister Mrs. Nettie Lanberson of Little Rock, Arkansas. Mr. Best went to Arkansas and accompanied the remains to Atchison where services were conducted at the Ed Best home, by Rev. Jesse Bader, pastor of the Christian church. Short services were also held at the cemetery. The deceased was a member of the Masonic lodge.
The New Leaf, Effingham, Kansas, 10 Sep 1915, Fri, Page 6