Furness, originally from the United Kingdom, grew up in Dunnville, Ontario. Furness graduated from the Ontario College of Art in 1933, and after a few years of working as an illustrator he was hired by Anglo-American Publishing to produce comic book stories for their burgeoning line of comics. In 1941, Furness, along with writer Ted McCall created the character of Freelance for Anglo-American's Freelance Comics. Furness also drew Commander Steele in Grand Slam Comics from 1941 and many other comic book stories, eventually becoming the lead artist for Anglo-American Publishing.