Born May 11, 1829, a native of Lewis County, Va. He is a son of James and Barbara (Reger) Teter, both natives of the Old Dominion. He grew to manhood in his native county, received careful training at the hands of most excellent parents, and obtained his early education in the common schools of that section. Early in life he determined to become a minister of the Gospel, and with that end in view closely pursued a course of Scriptural study. He was married in Buchanan, Va., Oct. 25, 1849, to Miss Rebecca Jackson. After becoming fitted for ministerial labors Mr. Teter resolved to come west for a permanent location, and accordingly, crossing the Mississippi in 1853, became identified with the Iowa Conference. In the fall of 1861, having fully established himself in the confidence and esteem of the people of this section, and deeply interested in its welfare, he was elected to the Ninth General Assembly of the State of Iowa, as Senator from the Sixteenth District. He fulfilled the duties of this position with great credit, and then, the Civil War being in progress, became Chaplain of the 7th Iowa Infantry and also of the United States Hospital at Keokuk. At the close of the war Mr. Teter became Presiding Elder of the Burlington District. He has taken an active interest in all matters pertaining to the general welfare of his adopted State, and has labored with but little recompense for the good of his fellow men.