Frederick A. Spafford, M. D. Biography


	This biography appears on pages 94-97 in "History of Dakota Territory" 
	by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was scanned, 
	OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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			FREDERICK A. SPAFFORD, M. D.  

	Dr. F. A. Spafford, active as a representative of the medical 
profession in Flandreau, is today the oldest physician of that city, 
inasmuch as others who were located there at the time of his arrival 
have all passed away or gone to other scenes of activity. His success 
from the beginning was assured because of the thoroughness of his 
preparatory work and because of his wide reading in later years, 
keeping him in touch with the advanced thought of the profession. He 
was born in Ludlow, Vermont, on the 13th of October, 1855, and is a son 
of Alva M. and Mary (Angler) Spafford, the former a contractor and 
builder, but both now deceased. 

	Dr. Spafford supplemented his public-school and academic 
education by a medical course at Dartmouth College and was graduated 
with the class of 1879. He has since taken postgraduate courses in New 
York, Berlin and Edinburgh. Before his graduation from Dartmouth, 
however, he went to Raleigh, North Carolina, in 1877 and there spent 
three years teaching Latin and Greek in Shaw University. He then 
resumed the study of medicine but was later made lecturer in the 
medical department of Shaw University, serving in that capacity for one 
year. For a time he was also professor of anatomy and chemistry in the 
Leonard Medical College at Raleigh, North Carolina.  

	Dr. Spafford arrived in South Dakota in 1884 and opened an office 
for practice in Flandreau, where he has since remained, covering a 
period of three decades. He is most widely and favorably known 
throughout the state, ranking very high in his profession. His wide 
study and broad experience have gained him knowledge that makes his 
opinions largely accepted as standard by other representatives of the 
profession here. His standing is furthermore attested in the fact that 
he was twice honored with election to the presidency of the state 
medical society in 1898 and 1914. He is a fellow of the American 
College of Surgeons; is likewise a member of the Sioux Valley Medical 
Association, the Sioux Falls District Medical Association; and is a 
fellow of the American Medical Association and the Anglo-American 
Medical Society, of Berlin.  

	In 1881 Dr. Spafford was married to Miss Hattie E. A. Davis, of 
Boston, Massachusetts, a daughter of Thomas P. Davis, and they have one 
daughter, Lillian W., now Mrs. W. L. Rolfe. Dr. Spafford is of the 
Baptist faith, while his wife holds membership in the Episcopal church. 
He endorses the democratic principles in exercising his right of 
franchise and his fraternal relations are with the Masons, the Elks and 
the Odd Fellows. He is now past grand commander of the state in Masonry 
and holds high rank in that order.  

	Many public projects have benefited by his cooperation and public 
spirit. He has been president of the board of regents of the State 
University and has been a member of that board for twelve years. At 
present he is lecturer on medical jurisprudence at the South Dakota 
State University College of Law. He has probably the finest library, 
both medical and otherwise, in the state. He has acted as president of 
the Flandreau school board for twenty-seven years and the present 
excellent school system of the city is attributable in no small measure 
to his efforts. He has also been a member of the local board of health 
for a number of years and he stands for advancement and progress along 
all lines. He finds rest and recreation in travel and in fishing. He is 
a man of high purpose and lofty ideals, who has used his talents wisely 
and well and improved his opportunities to the benefit and betterment 
of his fellowmen and of his city and state.