Rev. H. R. Best, D. D. Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1116-1119 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				REV. H. R. BEST, D.D. 

	The most widely known Baptist minister in South Dakota is the 
Rev. H. R. Best, pastor of the City Temple of Sioux Falls. He has 
continued his labors there for twelve years and his influence is 
immeasurable, its broadening circles making his life one of great 
benefit and value in the advancement of moral force in this state. Rev. 
Best was born in Missouri a little more than forty years ago and in 
young manhood met all of the experiences of frontier life in western 
Texas. His conversion from agnosticism to Christianity turned the whole 
current of his life. He had hitherto had ideas of devoting his 
attention to the law and to politics, but the change in his views led 
him to take up the work of the ministry, his preparation therefore 
being largely made in Baylor University in Waco, Texas. After receiving 
his literary and theological training he entered upon mission work in 
Oklahoma under the Home Mission Society of New York city and later 
accepted a call to the pastorate of the First Baptist church of Nevada, 
Missouri. His labors there were most effective, resulting largely in a 
growth in the church membership, while tangible evidence of his efforts 
was seen in the fine church edifice erected during his pastorate. 

	Dr. Best went from Nevada, Missouri, to Winfield, Kansas, where 
his work was unusually successful the membership of the church being 
doubled and the parsonage erected. He did not confine his efforts 
entirely to the restricted lines of church work, but became an active 
factor in civic affairs and constantly gave himself to every line of 
progress and improvement. He served as superintendent of the great 
Chautauqua there and continued his labors in Winfield until he removed 
to Sioux Falls, becoming pastor of the First Baptist church, known as 
the City Temple. This is largely the creation of his own brain, the 
crystallization of his ideals. The church edifice for beauty and 
utility is recognized as a triumph in architecture, while the 
membership of the church has more than doubled, the organization being 
today recognized as an institution of power not only in the moral and 
civic life of the city and state, but even beyond the borders of South 
Dakota. He has made the church a religious magnet, and it is almost as 
effective in a social way, for it has become the stimulating center of 
a higher order of entertainment for young and old. 

	Dr. Best was united in marriage to Miss Lena Kinnison, of Gorman, 
Texas, and they have become the parents of four children: Oren M., who 
is in business in Sioux Falls; Frederick Virgel, a student of medicine 
in the University of Minnesota; Henry Randolph, who died at the age of 
sixteen years; and Ethel Louise. 

	Dr. Best has been characterized as a "wide-awake man, thinking on 
the firing line of life," Another has termed him "a real genius and a 
genial man-,, He is practical and forceful yet possesses also a poetic 
mind, as is manifest in the well chosen language in which he dresses 
the deep and earnest thoughts that show him to be a man of firm 
convictions. He is both a forceful and eloquent speaker. He believes in 
the doctrine of hard work and lives a strenuous life. He is identified 
with various lines of public service, much of which is of far-reaching 
influence. He has served for years on the National Commission of Young 
People's Work for his denomination and is a member of the state board 
of directors for the South Dakota Baptist Convention. He is likewise a 
member of the board of trustees of Sioux Falls College and a teacher of 
Biblical literature. He is a member of the board of the Children's 
Home, located in Sioux Falls, and is prominently and closely connected 
with various other interests for religious and philanthropic purposes. 
He belongs to the Masonic fraternity, in which he has attained high 
rank, indicated in the fact of his connection with the Shrine. A 
contemplation of the life and work of such a man stands in 
contradistinction to the oft expressed belief that moral standards are 
not as high in the present generation as previously. That one man could 
be the moving spirit in building up an organization like the City 
Temple with its manifold radiating influences for good shows the force 
and power of moral principles and to his efforts is directly traceable 
the high standard to which many of Sioux Falls citizens adhere.