Utica Observer - Tuesday, April 15, 1919

REV. H.J. VAN ALLEN DIED SUDDENLY

ONLY EPISCOPAL DEAF MUTE CLERGYMAN OUTSIDE NEW YORK

Rev. Mr. Van Allen Was Missionary Among Deaf Mutes of Practically Entire State, and Had About 800 Deaf Mutes Under His Charge.

Rev. Harry John Van Allen, Episcopal missionary among the deaf mutes of practically the entire State outside of Greater New York, died suddenly at 2 o’clock this morning at his home, 146 Grove Place, this city, where he had resided for the past 17 years. Rev. Mr. Van Allen never enjoyed robust health, but was very active at all times in the performance of his Christian duties and was able to be about up to last night. Only Sunday he held services for the deaf mutes in Troy in the morning and later in the day services in Schenectady and Albany. On Feb. 9 last, a special service in commemoration of his 25^th anniversary as diocesan missionary among the deaf mutes of the Episcopal diocese of Albany was held at St. Paul’s Church, Albany.

Rev. Mr. Van Allen appeared to be in his usual health when he retired last evening for his night’s rest. About 2 o’clock this morning he was taken suddenly ill, and Dr. E.J. Stephens was summoned. Mr. Van Allen died a few minutes later. Coroner Thomssen was also called. Death was due to heart trouble.

Mr. Van Allen had no church, but operated jointly with all of the Episcopal parishes in the State above Albany, doing the work of a missionary. He held at least one service on a Sunday evening at Grace Church chapel in Utica, his congregation coming from all the surrounding community. Studying especially for this particular work, Rev. Van Allen was adapted to it as no other clergyman in the State, and he made a wonderful impression among all with whom he came in contact in the course of his duties. His sudden passing will come as a great shock to all, his work being greatly appreciated by the clergy of the church as well as the laity, and his place will be hard to fill.

In the passing of Rev. Mr. Van Allen the deaf mutes of New York State lose one of their best friends and counselors. He did a wonderful work among the deaf mutes of the State, traveling to all parishes in the three dioceses of Western New York, Central New York and Albany at short intervals and giving the many men and women who came under his jurisdiction spiritual advice and comfort. It is estimated that he had as many as 800 deaf mutes in New York State under his charge at the time of his death. Thus his death will be sorely felt throughout the State. Mr. Van Allen was the only Episcopal deaf mute clergyman outside of New York city in the State, the only other two clergymen working among the deaf mutes being the Revs. Dr. Chamberlain and Dr. Kent, of St. Ann’s Church New York city, who work among the deaf mutes of the metropolitan district.

While Rev. Mr. Van Allen worked among the deaf mutes, he himself could not be classed as a deaf mute, inasmuch as he was not born deaf and dumb. An attack of scarlet fever at the age of nine left him deaf, and he then fitted himself for work compatible with his deafness. And by education in the proper schools he eventually acquired the ability which fitted him for his life work.

Rev. Mr. Van Allen was born in Clayton, NY on May 27, 1866, the son of John and Minerva Carry Van Allen. On his maternal side he was of English descent, his maternal grandfather William Oliver, emigrating to New York State from County Kent, England, while on his father’s side he was of Dutch descent.

Rev. Mr. Van Allen received his education at the School for the Deaf at Rome, NY from which he was graduated in 1884, and from Gallaudet College, Washington, D.C. from which he was graduated in 1889. At the latter college he received the highest honors in his studies ever attained at the school.

Rev. Mr. Van Allen learned the trade of a printer while at the School for the Deaf in Rome, and after graduating from college he followed his trade in newspapers and print shops in Utica, Johnstown and Albany for several years. He worked for a time as a printer on The Morning Herald in Utica. From 1890 to 1893, he acted as instructor in printing at the Pennsylvania Institution for the Education of the Deaf at Philadelphia, PA.

Rev. Mr. Van Allen later studied for Holy orders, and in 1898, while living at Albany, was ordained a deacon by Bishop W.C. Doane of the Albany diocese. In 1902, Mr.Van Allen was ordained as a priest by Bishop Doane. He was appointed missionary to the deaf in the diocese of Albany while studying for Holy orders in 1894. In 1900, he was given the diocese of Central New York. In 1916 he was given, in addition to the other two dioceses, that of Western New York, so that at the time of his death his territory covered from Buffalo to Albany and from Watertown to Binghamton, a very wide area. He also at one time was in charge of the work among the deaf in the diocese of Vermont, but had to give this up on account of the long distances between his other dioceses.

Rev. Mr. Van Allen was also an author of no mean ability, being editor of "The History of the Van Allen Family in America," a widely circulated book. He was president of the Alumni Association of Schenectady to Promote the Teaching of Speech to Deaf. He also was a member of the Empire State Association of Deaf Mutes, and an honorary member of the New England Gallaudet Association. He also was a member of the Holland Society of New York city.

Rev. Mr. Van Allen was married in Utica on Feb. 7, 1890 to Jessie A. Oliver of Glenfield, daughter of Ada Chapman and Squire H. Oliver of Martinsburg, NY. Of the union two children were born, Miss Mary Oliver Van Allen, who was born at Philadelphia, PA and George Van Allen, who was born at Albany. The widow, who is a deaf mute, and the two children survive, all of Utica. The son, George M. Van Allen was honorably discharged as sergeant major of the 613^th Aero Squadron, United States Army, after serving since Dec. 5, 1917 in the aviation section of the regular army. Mr. Van Allen also leaves one sister, Mrs. Edward J. Dugan of St. Paul, MN.

The funeral will be held Sunday from Grace Church, Utica. Rev. Mr. Van Allen was a well-educated, Christian gentleman, greatly belied by all who knew him, and his passing leaves an aching void in the hearts of hosts of friends and acquaintances throughout the entire State.

Stowe’s Clerical Directory, 1917

Van Allen, Harry J., 148 Grove Pl., Utica, NY – Mssy. to Deaf and Dumb, Albany, NY, 1898-; C.N.Y., 1901, and W.N.Y., 1916-. B. Clayton, NY, May 27, 1866: s. John Van Allen and Minerva (Cary). Gallaudet Coll., B.A. 1889, M.A., 1898. D-1898, P-1902, Bp. Doane m. Jessie A. Oliver, Glenfield, NY, Feb. 7, 1890.