First Baptist Church of Codell, Kansas

Rev. Allen Lewis King Obituary (founder of the Codell Baptist Church)

Rev. Allen L. King was born in Kentucky June 03, 1823. Died at his home the Saline November 04, 1909, aged 86 years 5 months. While yet a young man, moved to Tennessee. He was converted to the Baptist faith by two missionaries sent out by the Baptist Home Mission Society in early life and remained faithful to his church to the end. Was married to Amanda E. Weesner September 21, 1843, who was the mother of ten children, five still living. As a profession he followed school teaching and farming to support the family. His wife died June 24, 1864. In 1867 the 2^nd of October he was ordained a minister of God by the Bethel church of Rhea County, Tenn.

On August 4, 1870 he took for his second wife, Mrs. E. L. McCarroll. To this union was born six children, five still living. His wife had two sons, Jasper and Benjamin McCarroll, well known in the surrounding country. In 1875 Father King (as he is known) moved with his family to Kansas and located on the Saline as a farmer and servant of God. These were days of hardship and toil, the returns from the soil were but small. As a pioneer, Father King and the family endured the privations common to others. As the servant of God he visited the settlers, preached for them in their homes, in sod school house and groves along the river. He prayed with them in their distress. These were but the beginnings: the foundations of what we now see, churches that he helped organize and become pastor of. The church at Fairport, (Russell County)Old Motor, now Codell, (Rooks County) Hays, and lately his home church at Turkville (Ellis County).

Submitted by Janice (Simpson) Reading, Great-Great Granddaughter of Rev. and Mrs. Allen L. King

Brenda Reeder Rooks County Coordinator