Cyrus H. Wheelock

Cyrus Hubbard Wheelock (February 28, 1813 – October 11, 1894) was an early missionary and leader in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He wrote the words to the Latter-day Saint hymn "Ye Elders of Israel". Wheelock was born at Henderson, Jefferson County, New York. He was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 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.