| 675 with Elder W. W. Blair. His next work was along a new and in many ways trying line, as president of the branch in his home town.
Near the close of the summer of 1864, accompanied by Henry Cuerden, he was sent to the St. Louis District. In the spring of 1865 Elder Cuerden was released, and Elder William Anderson, of Iowa, became his companion. Of this friend and brother, there are remembrances delightful to recall, God's rich and wondrous feasts spread for them by his Spirit as they journeyed together, binding them in bonds of love to the gospel, and in bonds of friendship in life. This season of blessing was followed by an appointment from the fall conference to the Pacific Slope. He was given the choice of associates, and he named William H. Kelley, and William Anderson, of Montrose, Iowa. Elder Kelley could not go.
On April 12, 1866, he was ordained a high priest by Joseph Smith and J. W. Briggs.
In company with William Anderson and James Gillen, he endured the hardships of a trip by wagon across the dreaded plains. At one time he left the wagon and lay down on the desert as he feared in his death agonies; but was raised by the Spirit to finish his work. He spent twenty-one months in his mission in California.
In 1870, with W. W. Blair, he again went west to Utah, remaining there while Bro. Blair went over to California.
On April 10, 1873, he was called to the apostleship at Plano, Illinois, being ordained by J. W. Briggs, Joseph Smith, and W. W. Blair.
In 1875 he was again appointed to the Pacific Slope Mission, having charge of that then distant field. He was accompanied on this mission by his brother, David H. But what had promised to be a bright and pleasant mission, terminated in the saddest and most anxious time of his life. A message that his wife was near to death at their home in Plano, brought him from his mission field with his brother sick and broken at his side. Upon his wife's recovery, he again took up his work, this time in Northern Missouri and Southern Iowa.
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