Orson F. Whitney was born in Salt Lake City, July 1, 1855. Was called on his first mission during the October Conference of 1876. Left home for Pennsylvania November 6th following. Remained in Pennsylvania about five months, laboring with Elder A. M. Musser, and visited Washington just prior to the inauguration of President Hayes. Early in the spring of 1877 went alone down to Ohio, where he remained about one year, preaching and baptizing, and visiting relatives in and around Kirtland, (his father's birthplace). Was released from his mission in the spring of 1878, and returned home early in April. Was appointed a home missionary immediately on his return, and also obtained a situation in the _Deseret News_ office. July 14th, was ordained a High Priest, (previously was a Seventy) and set apart to preside as bishop of the Eighteenth Ward, being the youngest bishop in the Salt Lake Stake of Zion, succeeding Bishop L. D. Young, resigned. August 10th of same year succeeded Elder John Nicholson as city editor of the _Deseret News_, he having been called to Europe on a mission. Before this he had labored as a collector and under-clerk in the business office of that establishment. During his sojourn in the States he had corresponded with the _Salt Lake Herald_, the _Woman's Exponent_ and the _News_, to the latter by the direct invitation of President Brigham Young, who had noticed his writings to the other papers and urged him to cultivate his literary ability. Previously he had scarcely dared to hope he possessed any. He says of this; "I owe much to the kind encouragement of President Young for what little I have yet achieved in that direction." December 18, 1879, was married to Zina B. Smoot, daughter of President A. O. and Mrs. Emily Smoot. In February, 1880, was elected to the City Council and held the office of a Councilor until called on his second mission, whither he went before his office term had expired. In July, 1880, was appointed by a committee having in charge the arrangement of a programme to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Church (year of jubilee,) to write a poem for the occasion. The poem--"Jubilee of Zion," was read in the Tabernacle by Colonel David McKenzie, on the 24th of July, the Jubilee Celebration and the regular Pioneer Day Celebration being blended. Prior to this he had published a pamphlet containing two poems, "Land of Shinehah" and the "Women of the Everlasting Covenant," and had contributed various efforts in verse to our local papers, besides other articles in prose to the _Contributor_ and _Herald_, at the same time laboring regularly upon the _News_ as local editor. April, 1880 (antedating the above), the Home Dramatic Club was organized with O. F. Whitney as President.