H. B. Best was born in Howard county, Missouri, July 7, 1818; son of Humphrey and Catherine Best, nee Enyart. His father was a native of Maryland, and his mother of North Carolina. In 1816 his parents located in Howard county, Missouri, and afterwards lived in Carroll, Clay and Daviess counties. His father died in Grundy county, January 1, 1849. The subject of our sketch was reared on a farm and received most of his education in Clay county. At the age of eighteen he began working for himself, and March 26, 1845, permanently located in Benton township, and has since been a resident of this county, and an extensive land-owner and dealer in stock.
He was married, September 16, 1838, to Miss Rebecca McCummon, who was born in Kentucky, February 11, 1820. Twelve children have been born to them, eight of whom are still living; viz., Humphrey, in Colorado; Silas, in De-Kalb county; David, Lewis and Alexander, all in Colorado in the stock business; Charity, wife of A. F. Enyart, of Colorado; Ethlen, wife of J. B. Owen, of DeKalb county; W. C. Breckinridge, at home; Hannah died when twenty years of age; the other three died when young. Mr. Best is one of the old pioneers of this county and when he started here the place was but a wilderness and he was poor, but now he owns over five hundred acres of fine land, well stocked. He bears a fine reputation in his neighborhood for his uprightness and strict business integrity.