Rev. Jesse Halstead entered the traveling connection in the Troy Conference, was ordained Deacon in September, 1837, and transferred to the Illinois Conference.  At the session of the Conference, held the same month, he was appointed second preacher to Aztalan Mission.  Here he took his first lessons in pioneer work.  He traveled over a tract of country reaching from the line of the Territory on the south to Menomonee on the north, and from the Lake Shore Missions on the east to Madison on the west.  In these extended journeys he enjoyed the privilege of preaching the first sermon and forming the first societies in many localities.

In 1838 he was sent to Crete Mission on the Kankakee, in the State of Illinois.  The following year, 1839, he was sent to Brothertown, as before stated, the name on the Minutes being Deansburg.  While on this Mission, he visited Fond du Lac, and preached the first sermon, as will appear in another chapter.  He remained on this charge only three months, and was then sent by his Presiding Elder, Rev. Julius Field, to supply Oneida Indian Mission for the balance of the year, that charge having been left to be supplied.  In January he was visited at Oneida by the Presiding Elder.  While here the Elder fell sick, and desired Brother Halstead to accompany him on his round of appointments.  In the line of travel they visited Madison and intervening charges, and then went to Racine, the home of the Elder.

Brother Halstead now started for his field at Oneida.  It was in the depth of winter, and the line of travel was through the dense forests along the Lake Shore to Green Bay.  But, nothing daunted, our Itinerant packed his books, which had been left with Brother Stebbins at this place on his first trip to the north, and other baggage, and started on his journey.  The first day he reached Milwaukee, and here he laid in provisions and other necessary outfit, such as axe, auger, &c.  Striking out into the forest he made twenty miles the first day, but during the afternoon found himself in a severe snow storm.  The first night he stopped at a house located at the site of the present village of Grafton.  On rising the next morning he found the snow three feet deep.  He laid over one day, and on the following morning resumed his journey.  He only made nine miles, as he was compelled to beat the track in advance of his horse; and at night he found quarters at Port Washington.  The next day he pursued his journey, but at nightfall found himself without shelter in the woods.  He built a fire, cooked a piece of salt pork to eat with his bread, and made a supper.  But now for the night!  He emptied his jumper, and in it he made a bed, and, as nearly as possible, a coil of humanity.  The next morning he found his boots frozen.  But, with a generous amount of tugging, they yielded to the pressure of his feet, and he was again on his way, breaking the roads himself, thereby aiding his horse in carrying his burden.