Miller township, LaSalle county, Illinois, includes among its prosperous farmers Nathan Teal, who has been identified with this county since his early boyhood. He dates his nativity in Dutchess county, New York, January 25, 1848. His father, Edward Teal, a native of Columbia county, New York, was born September 10, 1820; his mother, Susan, who was a daughter of Jacob and Ellen Piester, was born in New York in 1819, and was reared and educated in that state. Edward Teal was a Republican and a man of local prominence. For a period of twenty years he served as justice of the peace, and he also filled several other township offices. He died in LaSalle county, Illinois, January 22, 1896, at the advanced age of seventysix years. Of the five children born to him and his wife, record is made as follows: Harriet, wife of Thomas Hougas, of Miller township, LaSalle county; Mary J., wife of John Hougas, of Iowa; Anne, wife of Elias Hayer, of this township; Nathan, whose name initiates this sketch; and Morgan A., who resides on section 14. Miller township.
Nathan Teal was a small boy when he was brought by his parents to Illinois, and in LaSalle county he was reared and educated, his educational advantages being limited to the public schools. Farming has been his life occupation. He is located on a farm of eighty acres near the village of Norway, this farm being a representative one as regards good buildings, well cultivated fields, etc.
In April, 1885, Mr. Teal married Miss Sabina A. Godwin, who was born and reared in Miller township, daughter of John Godwin. John Godwin was a native of Essex county, Ontario, born July 11, 1822, of English descent. He was married in 1844, at Detroit, Michigan, to Anna M. Long, a native of England, who survives him and is now seventy-eight years of age. Mr. Godwin died February 15, 1896, at the age of seventy-four years. Mr. and Mrs. Godwin came to Illinois and settled in Miller township, LaSalle county, in 1851, and here reared their family of ten children, all of whom are still living, namely: Alwilda J., Josephine A.. Josiah J., Alvin G., Hattie E., Ammi M., Dan. W., Sabina, Frank and Jessie A. Mr. and Mrs. Teal have one daughter, Myrtle May, born September 29, 1886.
Politically, Mr. Teal is known as an ardent Republican. He has served as justice of the peace for five years, as member of the school board nine years, and as clerk of school elections several times. He and his wife are members of the church of the Latter Day Saints.
Extracted by Norma Hass from Biographical and Genealogical Record of LaSalle County, Illinois published in 1900, volume 1, pages 320-321.
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