The son of John W. Best and Katherine Shaeffer Best, he lived in Monrovia Kansas as a young man. He married Altha E. Davis at Monrovia Kansas in 1866, they were the parents of Edna and Freddie E. Best.

The Atchison Daily Champion - 08 May 1897, Sat - Page 1
Mr. Best Funeral
Topeka, May 8 — Lewis J. Best, who committed suicide in Beardown, Ark., on Wednesday morning by cutting his throat with a razor, will be buried at Monrovia, Atchison county, next Sunday afternoon. The remains, accompanied by his wife and daughter, will be taken to Monrovia direct from Beardown, and will arrive there Saturday night.
Mrs. Best's father still resides in Monrovia and there her mother is buried. Mr. Best died within two hours after cutting his throat and before medical assistance could be procured. No Information as to the probable cause of the deed has yet been received but all of the friends of the family share the opinion that Mr. Best was in a state of temporary insanity as a result of continued ill health when he took his life.
A number of the family acquaintances in this city will attend the funeral at Monrovia Sunday afternoon.

The Atchison Daily Globe, 10 May 1897, Mon, Page 4
The funeral of the late Lew J. Best at Monrovia yesterday afternoon was largely attended. A special train came from Beloit, containing over a hundred citizens, including Maniford's band. J. J. Batchelor, vice-president of the Cotton Belt Lumber company of Beardon, Arkansas, of Which Mr. Best was president, accompanied Mrs. Best and her daughter, and Messrs. Batchelor and Lakin, came to Atchison on the afternoon train. The funeral services at Monrovia were conducted by the Beloit Masons.

Daughter: Edna Aithea Best, 8/29/1874 - 2/19/1968