Gurley, Zenas H.

Spring 1801–28 Aug. 1871. Tanner, currier, schoolteacher. Born in Bridgewater, Oneida Co., New York. Son of Zenas Gurley and Experience Hovey. Married Margaret Hickey, 28 Sept. 1825, near Morrisburg, Dundas Co., Upper Canada. Baptized into Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1 Apr. 1837 or 1838. Moved to Far West, Caldwell Co., Missouri, 1838. Ordained an elder, June 1838. Ordained a seventy, 26 Jan. 1839. Moved to Illinois and settled in La Harpe, Hancock Co. Appointed to collect funds to build Nauvoo temple, Apr. 1841. Served mission in La Harpe and Wisconsin Territory, 1841–1842. Returned to Illinois and remained there after Saints’ exodus from Nauvoo; settled in Jo Daviess Co. Affiliated with James J. Strang’s Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Strangites); served mission in La Harpe and Yellowstone, Lafayette Co., Wisconsin. Appointed to preside over Strangite branch in Yellowstone, 1851. Left Strangite movement; ordained an apostle of Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 8 Apr. 1853, in Zarahemla (later Blanchardville), Iowa Co., Wisconsin. Assisted in ordination of Joseph Smith III as president of church, Apr. 1860. Died in Mercer Co., Illinois; buried in Sandwich, LaSalle Co., Illinois.