Representative Thomas Teale View All Years

HON. THOMAS TEALE

Honorable Thomas Teale was born in Greenwich, Kentshire, England, on January 10, 1842, a son of Frederick and Diana C. Teale. In 1845 his parents came to the United States and made their home in Orleans’ county, New York, but shortly thereafter moved to the west and for a time lived in Milwaukee county, Wisconsin. From there they moved to Jo Davies county, Illinois.

When Thomas was a boy he was left fatherless and, in a great measure, was thrown on his own resources. Thus early in life he learned the practical lessons of self-reliance. He grew to manhood in Jo Daviess county and, in 1861, upon President Lincoln’s first call for three-year volunteers, enlisted in the defense of his country and was assigned to Company E, Fifteenth Illinois Infantry. At the battle of Shiloh he was wounded by a musket ball and, after hospital treatment, was granted a furlough. He rejoined his regiment and participated in the engagement at Hatchie and subsequently, in view of the fact that his wound was giving him trouble, he was detailed brigade postmaster, serving in that position until August, 1863, when, on account of disability, he was honorably discharged. He returned to the family home in Jo Daviess county and remained there until he removed to Iowa in 1865.

He was identified with Decatur county and its business interests continuously from the fall of 1865. His first purchase of land there was 160 acres in section 16, Fayette township. He improved this, but subsequently moved to the farm in section 4 where he lived at the time of his death, which was about one mile west of Lamoni. This farm of 320 acres was all under cultivation and the improvements are among the best in the township. His home showed the thrift and refinement of its owner. Soon after the village of Lamoni was laid out he erected a stone building to be used for business purposes. Fayette township had no more active and energetic citizen than Thomas Teale. Enterprising and public-spirited, he assisted materially in all projects that tend to the upbuilding of town and county.

In politics, Mr. Teale was a Republican, prominent in the councils of his party. In 1885 he was elected to represent his district in the General Assembly and served in the Twenty-first and Twenty-second General Assemblies.

He was married in 1867 in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, to Lucinda Graham, daughter of Theodore Graham. Ten years thereafter death entered the home and took from it the wife and mother, leaving the father with four young children: Charles, Frederick, Erastus, and Orra. In 1878 Mr. Teale married Mrs. Edith (Patterson) Wharton, daughter of Robert Patterson, and widow of Andrew Wharton. Three children were born of this union: Zula, James P., and Arthur D.

Mr. Teale died at his home at Lamoni, Iowa, on February 25, 1923.

Whereas, The life and character of the deceased and his exemplary service call for such as to place his memory among those highly respected and esteemed in our state; therefore,

Be It Resolved, That the House of Representatives takes this occasion to express its appreciation of the character and service of the deceased; and

Be It Further Resolved, That a copy of these resolutions be printed in the Journal of the House and that the Chief Clerk be directed to forward to the family of the deceased an enrolled copy.

M. F. SPRINGER,

THEO. KROUSE,

F. M. HARRISON,

Committee.

Unanimously adopted April 6, 1927.