Phineas F. Bresee - A Prince In Israel - Media Sabda Org

also been elected a delegate. They went first to West Virginia, Brother Knotts' old home, and spent
a few delightful days amidst scenes which were full of reminders of the great conflict. The fields
were yet desolate from the war, and the fences had not been restored in the areas where the two
armies had destroyed everything. A cousin of Brother Knotts named Harry Kincaid, lived in West
Virginia, and the party stopped at his house. Soon afterward, a boy was born in the Kincaid family,
and they named him Bresee.
Dr. Bresee was one of the youngest--if not the youngest --members of the General Conference.
He did not take a prominent part in its proceedings, but in a private, quiet way managed to
accomplish some things. He had more to do than anyone else with the matter of securing action of
the General Conference directing the residence of one of the bishops should be at Council Bluffs.
But the chairman of the committee that had that matter in hand reported Council Bluffs or Omaha,
and although this report was made without proper authority, the proponents of Council Bluffs, could
never get it changed. Doctor Bresee also rendered effective service in bringing about the election of
Bishop Gilbert Haven, one of the eight bishops who were elected at that General Conference. He was
a very brilliant man and a radical Abolitionist. In consequence he was unpopular, especially with the
South and the border country. Brother Bresee secured for him the Iowa delegation and some others,
without which he could not have been elected, as the vote was close and the opposition strong.
Upon his return to Council Bluffs, Brother Bresee made a strenuous effort to wipe out the debt
on the church, but did not succeed in fully paying it. It was in Council Bluffs, on the 6th of August,
1872, that Melvin Arthur, his fourth and youngest son, was born.