Cyrus H. Wheelock

Who was Cyrus H. Wheelock?

Cyrus Hubbard Wheelock was an early missionary and leader in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He served as first president of the Northern States Mission. He wrote the words to the Latter-day Saint hymn "Ye Elders of Israel."

Wheelock was born at Henderson, Jefferson County, New York. Wheelock was baptized a member of the Latter Day Saint church on September 1, 1839. Shortly afterward, he served as a missionary in Vermont.

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

Wheelock served three missions to England. He presided over the Manchester, Liverpool and Preston Conferences.

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 was the captain of one of the pioneer companies that crossed the plains to Utah Territory. In 1854, Wheelock became the president of the 37th Quorum of the Seventy.

In 1856, Wheelock was part of a rescue party Brigham Young sent to assist the stranded pioneer companies including the Martin Handcart Company near the Sweetwater River.