From the book History of Walworth County Wisconsin, by Albert Clayton Beckwith, 
publ. 1912 - Pages 619 - 620
 
WILLIAM FURNISS BEST, of Lake Geneva, Wisconsin, was born at Bridport, county 
of Dorset, England, October 30, 1867.  His parents were Richard Henry BEST and 
Ellen (FURNISS) BEST.  His father was in the produce and commission business 
and Mr. BEST grew up in the business with his father and was with him till the 
father died in 1888.  William F. BEST remained in England till 1889, when he 
was encouraged to come to America, having heard much of the country here from  
his brother-in-law, whose home was in Walworth county along the shore of the 
Lake Geneva, and who was then back in England on a visit.
 
Mr. BEST came to Lake Geneva and soon had quite a circle of friends and 
acquaintances with whom he became popular in a social way.  Having such means 
of support that he could be idle if he wished to, the young man did what nearly 
all young men would like to do at the age of twenty to twenty-three - he looked 
more to the pleasures of society and enjoying life in good style while he 
could, and did not engage in any gainful occupation for some time.  Older heads 
looked on with misgiving at his idleness.  Mr. BEST, however, rose above the 
handicap of having "nothing to do and sufficient money to do it with," after he 
had three years at it.  In 1893 he began to show his true mettle when he took a 
place in the greenhouse on Mr. LEITHER's lake shore estate.  He continued at 
such work till 1902, learned a great deal about the work and showed that he was 
to be depended upon.  In 1902 he took charge of the green houses owned by the 
Lake Geneva Floral Company, who then had about twenty thousand feet under 
glass.  He remained in charge of the work there till the floral company sold 
out about three years later, when through a chain of peculiar circumstances he 
was induced to go into the piano business at Lake Geneva.  In this he made a 
success right from the start.  He sold thirteen pianos in the first thirteen 
days, and since then has sold hundreds of them in Walworth county, and in a 
modest way has prospered.  In addition to his piano business he occasionally 
buys and sells a piece of real estate, as an investment.
 
December 1, 1889, Mr. BEST married Loretta BOLSLEY, daughter of Theodore and 
Augusta (HARKNESS) BOLSLEY.  She was born and reared in Lake Geneva.  Her 
parents, it is believed, came from the state of New York.  Mr. and Mrs. BEST 
have three daughters, Ethel Ellen, Mabel Charlotte and Maudie Marie, also one 
son, Lloyd Furniss BEST.  Mr. BEST is a member of the Masons, the Odd Fellows 
and the Mystic Workers.  He has made his home among us for about twenty-three 
years, and we have seen him grow in those desirable characteristics of solid 
worth, his conduct in all the relations of life entitling him to the respect 
and esteem of his fellow men.  He was elected in 1910 to the office of justice 
of the peace.  In England this office is held by the nobility, without 
compensation, the idea being not that of profit to themselves but that they 
shall honor the office by the courage and fairness of their rulings.  Mr. BEST 
has performed his official duties here in the same spirit, and shown those 
qualities that are so essential in any court, if respect for the law is to be 
upheld.  He was again elected in 1912 and is now serving his second term.

Submitted By:  Carol
(carolann612@charter.net)