Thomas TEALE president of the Farmers & Traders State Bank of Leon, is prominent in financial circles in this part of Iowa and is also known because of his connection with public affairs as for two terms he served as a member of the house of representatives of the state legislature. He was born in Greenwich, England, January 10, 1842, of the marriage of Frederick and Leticia (HAMM) TEALE, who in 1843 emigrated with their family to America. They first located in New York but later removed to Jo Daviess county, Illinois, where they spent the remainder of their lives. They were the parents of seven children, of whom five are living. Six sons served in the federal army during the Civil war, all of whom returned alive although five, including our subject, were wounded.

Thomas TEALE grew to manhood in Illinois and received liberal educational advantages. He continued his studies while serving in the army, which indicates his determination to secure a thorough education. He enlisted in Company E, Fifteenth Illinois Volunteer Infantry, as a private and remained with that command until wounded at Shiloh. Being thus disabled for further service he was honorably discharged and returned to Illinois. At the close of the war he came to Decatur county, where he had resided for a time in 1860. At that time he made his home at Decatur City but upon returning to this county he secured land near what is now the site of the city of Lamoni. He turned his attention to the improving of his place and in the fall of 1879 erected the first business house in Lamoni, in which he conducted a general store for a number of years. Later he turned the management of the establishment over to his son Bert, who was connected therewith until 1894. In 1888 our subject came to Leon, where he engaged in merchandising as a member of the firm of Young & Teale, whose place of business was on the west side of the square. That firm continued to conduct the store until 1890, when Mr. TEALE sold out his interest, Mr. YOUNG becoming sole proprietor of the establishment. Mr. TEALE then entered the banking business in Leon and in 1894 organized the Farmers & Traders Bank, a private institution, which later became the Farmers & Traders State Bank, under which name it is now conducted. Mr. TEALE has been president of the bank since it s organization and its steady growth has been largely due to his excellent management. His son, Fred E., a sketch of whom appears elsewhere in this work, is cashier of the institution. The bank owns the building in which it is located and which it has remodeled, making it one of the best bank buildings in the city. The upper floor is given over to offices. In 1892 our subject established the Commercial Bank of Lamoni, which he sold before establishing the Farmers & Traders State Bank at Leon. He is also heavily interested in the Farmers State Bank of Lamoni, which his son Ora manages, and the Iowa State Bank of Mount Ayr, which is conducted by his son Bert. Mr. TEALE has considerable real estate, owning a store building which he erected in Lamoni and a number of farms in the county. He understands business conditions thoroughly and is quick to recognize and take advantage of opportunites which many others fail to see. He is recognized as one of the most successful bankers of the county and his advice is often sought on matters of finance and investment.

In 1867 Mr. TEALE was arrived in this county to Miss Lucinda GRAHAM, who was born in Jo Daviess county, Illinois, and accompanied her parents, Theodore, and Lethee, Graham, to this county soon after the close of the Civil war. She passed away in 1877, leaving four sons: Fred E., Ora and Bert, previously mentioned; and Charles, who is engaged in the implement business at Mount Ayr. All are married and our subject has several grandchildren.

Mr. TEALE is a republican and has twice been honored by election as representative of his district in the state legislature, serving as a member of that body during the twenty-first and twenty-second general assemblies. In that capacity he proved capable and public-spirited and made a very creditable record. He attends the Presbyterian church and his wife favored the Methodist church. He is a loyal member of Leon Post, No. 261, G. A. R., and through that organization keeps in touch with others who fought for the preservation of the Union. He is widely known and all who have been associated with him hold him in the highest respect and esteem him for his genuine worth.

Hon. Thomas TEALE has been identified with Decatur County and its business interests since the fall of 1865. He was born in Greenwich, Kentshire, England, January 10, 1842, a son of Frederick and Diana C[harlotte (HAMM)] TEALE. In 1843, his parents came to the United States, and made their first home in Orleans County, New York, but shortly moved to the West, and for a time lived in Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, and from there they moved to Jo Daviess 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, and that nothing worthy of having could be obtained without effort.
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 in the right hip, with a musket ball, and after hospital treatment was granted a furlough. He rejoined the regiment and participated in the engagement at Hatchie, and subsequently, his wound giving him trouble, he was detailed Brigade Postmaster, serving in that position until August 1863, when, on account of disability, he was honourably discharged.

Returning to the family home in Jo Daviess county, he remained there until he removed to Iowa, in 1865. His first purchase of land in the [Decatur] county was 160 acres on scetion 16, Fayette Township. This he improved, but subsequently moved to the farm where he now lives on section 4, about one mile west of Lamoni, where he has a fine farm of 320 acres, all under cultivation, and his building improvements are among the best in the township, his home showing the thrift and refinement of the owner. Soon after the village of Lamoni was laid out, he erected a stone building and stocked it with hardware and farm implements, and now has a good trade. Fayette township has no more active and energetic citizen than Thomas TEALE. Enterprising and public-spirited, he has assited materially in all projects that tend to the upbuilding of town and county.

In politics Mr. TEALE is a Republican, and quite prominent in the councils of the county. In 1885 he was elected to represent the district in the Iowa General Assembly.

Mr. TEALE was married in 1867, in Jo Daviess County, Illinois, to Lucinda GRAHAM, daughter of Theodore GRAHAM. After ten years of married life the death angel 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 Edith (PATTERSON) WHARTON, daughter of Robert PATTERSON, and widow of Andrew WHARTON by whom she has three children - Zula, wife of Joseph P. PETERS; James P.; and Arthur D. Mr. TEALE has three brothers in Decatur Township; James in Davis City; and Eugene in Bloomington Township. One brother, George H., lives in Riley Township, Ringgold County; one, Albert, at Kellerton, and another, Joseph, in Nebraska.

Leon Reporter
Leon, Decatur County, Iowa
March, 1923

Thomas TEALE, son of Frederick and Diana C[harlotte (HAMM)] EALE, was born in Greenwich, Kentshire, England, January 10th, 1842. In 1843 he came with his parents to the United States, living a short time in Orleans County, New York, moving from there to Wisconsin, where they lived until 1847, then they moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where they lived until the fall of 1855, when they moved to David County, Illinois, where he grew to manhood and received as liberal an education as the pioneer days afforded. In 1861, his patriotism was stirred by President LINCOLN'S first call for three-year volunteers. He enlisted in Company E, 15th Illinois Infantry. He was wounded at the battle of Shilo by musketball in the right hip, and after hospital treatment was sent home on furlough. He soon re-joined his regiment and continued in the service until August, 1863, when he was discharged for disability and returned to the family home in Illinois.

In 1865, Mr. TEALE came to Decatur County and settled on a farm in Fayette Township. In 1867, he married Lucinda GRAHAM; to this union were born four children, Charles, Fred E., Bert and Orra, all of whom are still living and were present at their father's death. In l877, the death messenger robbed Mr. TEALE of his wife. In 1878, he married Mrs. Edith WHARTON, who was wife and companion until June, 1910, when death again entered the home and took away the loved one.

In 1883 and 1885, Mr. TEALE made business trips to England, his native land. In 1885, he was elected as Representative to the General Assembly of Iowa, and re-elected in 1887, serving two terms in the legislative halls, with credit to himself and honor to his county.
Mr. TEALE has had a varied and successful business experience. In 1879 he erected the first business house in Lamoni and was engaged in merchandising until 1888, when he moved to Leon, and became a member of the firm of Young & Teale, [illegible] and others he bought the Farmers and Traders Bank in Leon. In 1913 he was elected President of the Farmers & Traders State Bank, which position he retained to the close of his long and useful life.

He was also President of the Iowa State Bank at Mount Ayr, and stockholder and Director in the Farmers State Bank of Lamoni, and the C. S. Stearns State Bank, Garden Grove.

In 1911 he married Mrs. Hannah VAN DERVORT, with whom he had been acquainted from his boyhood days.

Mr. TEALE and his wife have been regular attendants of the Presbyterian Church since coming to Leon. He was chairman of the church building and finance committee when the new church and manse were built in 1917, and has served as Chairman of the Board of Church Trustees for many years. His high ideals and wise counsel were always appreciated and will be greatly missed.

As a devoted husband, an indulgent, yet firm father, a loyal friend, an upright and progressive citizen and a Christian gentleman, his death will be a loss felt by all, and it may be well said the world is better from his having lived and contributed his part to its many interests.

His devoted wife, four sons, three brothers, grandchildren and many other relatives and friends will feel deeply their loss in his passing to his reward eternal in the Heavens, where a crown of righteousness awaits his coming.

Funeral services were held at the Presbyterian Church, Sunday afternoon, March 11th [1923], conducted by Rev. E. A. PLACE, the church being filled with sorrowing relatives and friends, and many beautiful floral offerings were received. Interment was in the Leon Cemetery.

SOURCES:
HOWELL, J. M. & CONOMAN, Heman. History of Decatur County, Iowa, and Its People Vol. II. Pp. 131-33. S.J. Clarke Pub. Co. Chicago. 1915.

Transcriptions by Sharon R. Becker, February of 2009; December of 2010