PETER TEEL

From the 1887 History of Vernon County, Missouri, p. 839:

Peter Teel

(Farmer, Section 6, Post-office, Nevada).

   Among those brave pioneer settlers who hesitated not to open the way for civilization in this community in days long gone by, and who were not afraid to face the privations and hardships incident to the settlement of a new country, was Peter Teel, the subject of this sketch, now a respected citizen of this township. And it is eminently fitting that a short sketch of his life should receive mention at this place.  Leonard Teel, his grandfather, was a Revolutionary soldier under Gen. Anthony Wayne, and participated in the capture of Stony Point, and also the capture of Lord Cornwallis, at Yorktown. David Teel, his father, was a native of Pennsylvania, and of German parentage, while his mother, whose maiden name was Mary McCartney, came of Irish origin. They had a family of nine children, two of whom still survive, and the eldest of these children was Peter, whose birth occurred in Richland county, Ohio, May 18, 1826. The year following the Black Hawk War the father moved to Knox county, Ill., going thence in 1841 to Clay county, Mo., from whence in about a year, or in July, 1826, he started for what was then Bates county, settling south of Nevada where he made for his family a home. A claim was purchased from Nick Ganther, the land having been surveyed by the Government. Here David Teel died in 1850, his widow surviving him until 1879, when she, too, passed away. In March, 1859, Peter Teel went to Kansas on account of war troubles, and while there enlisted as a stanch Union man in three months' service in the 2d Kansas but afterwards became a member of Co. A, 6th Kansas, serving for seven months, or until mustered out under order No. 7, of the War Department. A third time he enlisted, now becoming associated with the 2d Kansas light artillery, and for two years and nine months he was actively engaged in service, participating in the battles of Drywood, Sherwood, where he was wounded May 18, 1863; the battle of Cane Hill, and also Newtonia, besides numerous skirmishes. The war closing Mr. Teel returned to Kansas, but in 1867 again came to this county, and resumed his former occupation of farming. He held the position of postmaster a number of years at Drywood, and was also constable a number of years of this township. He now owns a good estate of 400 acres, which is being thoroughly cultivated.  In 1847 Mr. Teel married Miss Elizabeth Griffith, of Vermillion county, Ill., who died in 1856, leaving three children: William J., Andrew M. and Stephen A. In 1857 Miss Amanda M. Grace became his wife, and a family of five children have been given them: James J., Pleasanton O. Sherman, Rosa Maud, Edward M. and Chester E.  Mrs. Teel was born in Ray county, Mo., her father being James Grace, of Tennessee, who came to this county before its organization, serving as one of its first judges. He also served as postmaster some years. Mr. T. is a Knight Templar in the Masonic Order, and also belongs to the G. A. R. It should have been mentioned that he enlisted for service in the Mexican War in 1846, but the company was not received on account of the regiment being full. In 1850 he went across the plains with an ox team to Santa Fe. He now resides in the northwestern portion of Drywood township, esteemed by all who know him.

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