Shanklin - Thomas
Source: Crawfordsville Review April 4, 1912
Rev. Thomas C. Shanklin, son of Johnston and Eliza Shanklin was born in Wayne Township near the little town of Wesley on June 21, 1831. He was the fourth child of a family of eight, and was the fifth to die. The three living are Wm. Shanklin of Yountsville, Mrs. FM Sutton of Toronto, Kas and Mrs. James Sanders of Crawfordsville. Like most of his time his educational advantages were limited. He was of a literary turn of mind and acquired education enough to teach in the public schools which profession he followed for a few years. While a boy in school he went and played with Miss Mary Hayes and married her April 13, 1854. To them was born one son, John, who died five years ago, leaving a daughter, Mrs. Jesse Martin and a son, Fred M. Shanklin, both of Linden. His wife, Mrs. Shanklin, died a year ago the 14th of last February. About 1864 or 1865 Rev. Shanklin moved to Linden and entered into the mercantile business which he carried on successfully for a number of years. In his young manhood he was an ardent republican and he served one term as trustee of Madison Township. For a number of years he had been an uncompromising party prohibitionist. He was raised by Presbyterian parents and when I childhood gave strong evidence of Christian faith. When about 25 years of age he was converted and united with the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the fall of 1858 he was licensed a local preacher of the Methodist Episcopal Church. In the Fall of 1884 he was appointed assistant pastor with Rev. LS Smith of the Romney charge which was the only appointment he ever took through the conference. The last 10 years of his life he had been the teacher of the men’s bible class. He was a close student of the bible and a great reader and this with his beautiful character, made him an ideal Sunday school teacher. He was beloved by every one, he married more people and held more funeral services than any one in the county. He died April 1, age 80 years 9 months and 9 days. The funeral was held from the Methodist Episcopal Church at Linden Wednesday morning at 10 o’clock and interment at Oak Hill Cemetery, Crawfordsville - kbz