Cyrus H. Wheelock

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Cyrus Hubbard Wheelock (1813-02-28 – 1894-10-11) was an early leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Among other positions he was the first president of the Northern States Mission. He also wrote the words to the Latter-day Saint hymn "Ye Elders of Israel."

Wheelock was born at Henderson, Jefferson County, New York.[1] Wheelock was baptised a member of the Latter Day Saint church on 1839-09-01. Shortly afterward, he served as a missionary in Vermont.[1]

In 1844, Wheelock tried to convince Governor Thomas Ford of Illinois to release Joseph Smith, Jr. from Carthage Jail.[1] Wheelock had given Smith the gun which he had when the mob attacked the jail at Carthage.

In the early 1850s, Wheelock served a mission in England and presided over the Manchester, Liverpool and Preston Conferences.[2] In 1853, Wheelock was a counselor to Isaac Haight, president of the camp of Latter-day Saints waiting to set out from Keokuk, Iowa. Wheelock then was the captain of one of the pioneer companies that crossed the plains to Utah Territory.[3][4] In 1854, Wheelock became the president of the 37th Quorum of the Seventy.[5]

Wheelock settled in Mount Pleasant, Utah Territory. He wrote several hymns while living here.[6]

In 1878, Wheelock was made president of the Northern States Mission which then consisted of the states of Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Illinois.[1] Wheelock served as mission president for just over a year. He died in Mount Pleasant, Utah Territory.[7]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c d Jenson, Andrew. Latter-day Saint Biographical Encyclopedia. (Salt Lake City, Utah: Deseret News Press, 1936) 4:363.
  2. ^ Aird, Polly. "Bound for Zion: The Ten- and Thirteen-Pound Emigrating Companies, 1853-54", Utah Historical Quarterly p. 306]
  3. ^ Church History Pioneer File
  4. ^ Hartley, William G., "The Keokuk Encampment", Mormon Historical Studies Fall 2003.
  5. ^ Ririe.org - James Ririe: Autobiography of James Ririe - Part 2
  6. ^ Mormon Literature Database
  7. ^ Jenson. Biographical Encyclopedia. Vol. 4, p. 363