Posted on: Skagit Co. Wa Obituaries Reply Here: http://genconnect.rootsweb.com/gc/USA/Wa/SkagitObits/29 Surname: ALLEN ------------------------- SOURCE: NEWSPAPER OBITUARY, (thought to be Mt. Vernon, WA paper) original in possession of Linda Lower REV. ZEPANHIAH K. ALLEN , (born July 28, 1800) Mount Vernon's Centenary Minister. ON Wednesday evening Nov. 22, 1899, at his quiet home, surround by his family, "Father" Allen passed quietly to his beautiful home in the skies - aged 99 years, 3 months and 24 days. He was born in Fredrick County, Virginia where his parents had been among the first of those who settled that state, in the year when Washington was made the national capital. At sixteen he accompanied his parents to Ohio where, four years later Zephaniah married and also entered upon his ministerial career in the M. E. Church, supplying a circuit that had an area of 200 miles. In 1849 he moved to Clinton, IA where he engaged in farming as well as preaching. A few years later found him in Clinton, TX in mercantile adventures. At this place his abolition spirit expressed itself in such patriotism for the enslaved of his country that he was compelled to leave the south. His first wife having died in 1857, he remarried and returned to Iowa. Shortly afterwards he moved to Wisconsin, then to Missouri, then to Kansas, in all of these states preaching the gospel and carrying on some business, and in many places establishing the pioneer church of that locality. at the age of 88, in company with his wife, his son George, ahis daughter Mrs. R. U. Rutherford and their families, he came to Mount Vernon. Here, too, he built a church and preached the Gospel, until four years ago, while seeking to attend a service, he fell from the steps of the church and very muchinjured on of his hips and has since been confined to his bed. Thus for some 72 years this Gospel warrior has been a minister of the good things of God. Stong in his convictions, definite in his Christian experience and life, he sought to lead the people to a knowledge of experimental piety. His faculties were well preserved to the last and showed signs of great physical, mental and spiritual strength. To the entire community his life has been a benediciton. Although aged and expected, his daeth brings a gloom that is only felt when good people die. It may be said of him that 'When a good man dies, For years beyond our ken, The light he leaves behind him Lies upon the path of men.' The funeral took place on Thursday, at 2:30 pm at the M. E. Church, conducted by the Rev. D G Slayton, of the F M Church, in the absence of the pastor. On Sunday morning a memorial service was held at the M E Church by Dr. Burrows, the pastor and Rev. C G Slayton..... Mrs. Allen, the wife, with the sons and daughters, have the deepest sympathy of the entire community in their loss.