Who is Shady Howard from Moon Over Manifest and what is their importance?

Shady Howard is a typical character of the Depression. Shady is a preacher, a bartender, and an all around handy man. Shady once ran a speakeasy in Manifest when alcohol was illegal and he had to make his own. Shady became an alcoholic during that time, drinking away his demons as he fought to make a living. Later Shady overcame his addiction and took over the First Baptist Church when it burned down even though he has never had any religious training. Shady now runs the church from his old bar.