EV. JOHN ZAHN lived in the Valley of Virginia, and at one time was a member in the Church of the "United Brethren in Christ." In 1836, he assisted in a meeting at Antioch chapel, in Rockingham county. He was residing at Harrisonburg, in 1837. He attended the first regular meeting of "The Christian Conference of the Valley in Virginia," at Antioch, on the 8th of November, 1838, and was chosen Moderator or President. In a review of Elder Mills Barrett on a written constitution, he seems to oppose the idea of a constitution and of rules of order, but unites with his brethren in the adoption of resolutions at the first Valley Conference. At a Conference in a pleasant grove on Timber Ridge, in 1840, by request of Elder John Zahn, it was "resolved, That we appoint a committee of five to examine and adjust certain difficulties existing in the Passage church," as follows: Elders Cline and Barton, and brethren G. McTurf, Martin Burkholder, and Simeon Ward. At the Virginia Valley Conference held at Antioch chapel, in 1841, he was appointed Moderator, and to deliver the opening address at the next annual session of the Conference. He had assisted Elder F. Miller at Antioch during this year. The churches in Shenandoah county were named the Shenandoah circuit by the Conference at Christian chapel in Page county, in 1842, and Elder Zahn was "officially requested to supply them with preaching the ensuing year." In 1843, he was elected Moderator of the Valley Conference, which met in Bedford county, Pennsylvania. The session of the Conference held at Christian chapel, in 1845, unanimously called him to the chair to preside.

      By trade he was a wagon-maker, but his calling was that of a preacher. In the early days when the country [194] was being settled, preachers went forth and preached without any stipulated amount. Their object was soul-saving. At one time he resided also at Edinburg, Virginia, but moved to Pennsylvania and died there at upwards of sixty years of age. For his day and time he was equal to and even above the average preacher.

[LCM 195-196]