Thomas M. Shanafelt Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1482 in "History of South 
	Dakota" by Doane Robinson, Vol. II (1904) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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	THOMAS M. SHANAFELT, D. D., state superintendent of Baptist 
missions in South Dakota and North Dakota, was born April 1, 1840, at 
Brinkerton, Clarion county, Pennsylvania. He came to his present 
position in April, 1888. Dr. Shanafelt is a graduate of Blackwell 
University, 1861. He served in the Rebellion as a private in the 
Pennsylvania volunteer infantry. He is at present a member of the board 
of commissioners for the South Dakota Soldiers' Home and vice-president 
of the State Historical Society. He is deeply interested in historical 
topics and is the author of an authoritative history of the Baptist 
church in South Dakota, published in 1899. Outside his sacred calling in 
which he has won high distinction, he is a public-spirited citizen and a 
leader in every good work. Few men possess in a greater degree that 
habit of persistent industry which makes every minute count for good.