C. C. Teater

TEATER, MCCLEARY, REYNOLDS, HAINES, MCCORMICK, EMPRY

Posted By: james c. murphy (email)
Date: 2/18/2003 at 11:57:45

The following biographical sketch was found in the Historical and Biographical Record of Wayne and Appanoose Counties, Iowa, which was published in 1886 by Interstate Publishing Company of Chicago, Illinois.
This article (which does not give any one as the author) does appear to contain some valuable facts, obviously, some of the material is incorrect. A portion of the material is from pages 639-640 is present here.

Claibourne C. Teater
He was one of the pioneers of Independence Township and dates his settlement at his present residence in 1853. Mr. Teater is a native of Kentucky, born in Garrard County, June 7, 1804. His father Paris Teater, was the thirteenth white child born in the State of Kentucky, and Paris first saw the light of day on March 26, 1780, in the fort which stood on the present site of Danville, Boyle County, Kentucky.

He was the grandson of George Teater, a soldier in the war of the revolution, who was a native of Maryland. The mother of Claibourne was Rebecca E. Totten, a native of Long Island, New York. Of the eleven children born to his parents he was the eldest. Three brothers, Nelson H., Russell H., Absalum F. and a sister, Mrs. Minerva Davis live in Kentucky; one sister, Mrs. Rebecca Thursa Saddler, lives in Kansas, and the others are deceased. The parents both died on March 16, 1865, aged respectively 84 and 82 years. The father had been ill and the mother waited upon him until an hour before his death. (Gravestone says 1864)

Claibourne C. Teater was reared to a farm life, but in his early manhood learned the carpenter’s trade, which he followed at intervals as long as he engaged in active business. His educational advantages in his youth were very limited, 16 days being the extant of his attendance at school. His lessons have been those of experience, well learned and remembered, and have fitted him for contact with and success in the duties of life. Mr. Teater was married November 27, 1823, to Miss Elinor Davis, a native of Garrard County, Kentucky, born September 24, 1807, she was a daughter of John and Rachel Davis.

Mr. Teater has been a good financier and in his native state became quite well-to-do, but being always to lend a helping hand to his friends, he became involved and came to Iowa a poor man.
In 1845, with a wife and 11 children, Mr. Teater came to Iowa and was one of the pioneers of Jefferson County Iowa. He bough an improved farm near Fairfield, for 2000, paying $305 in cash.
With characteristic energy and good management he soon cleared this indebtedness, and in 1853 sold this farm for $4,800, and moved to Appanoose County, Iowa where he bough 640 acres of land. Of this 640 acres he has given 400 to his children, and now has a fine farm of 160 acres and 80 acres of timberland.

Claibourne’s wife, who was his companion and helpmate for 57 years, was taken from on September 8, 1880. Their children were 15 in number.
The eldest died in infancy, Christmas week, 1824
Cyrus N. is a Prosperous farmer of Independence Township.
James N. died in Kentucky in his 17th year
George Clark is a resident of Independence Township and married to Asseneth (McCleary) Teater.
Rebecca is the wife of Moses Reynolds.
John R. lives in Wayne County, Iowa
William died in Lucas County Iowa, leaving a widow and four children
Mary E. is the wife of Josephus Haines of Kansas.
Paris R. enlisted in the war of the rebellion, in the sixth Kansas infantry, and died while serving his country.
Robert died in his 29th year.
Rachel, deceased, was the wife of Morrison McCormick.
Lysander M. lives in Lucas County Iowa
Sophrina died in Jefferson County Iowa aged 18 months.
and an infant died in the same County.
Nancy E. is the wife of Alexander Empry, of Cordon, Iowa

Three sons, Cyrus N., John and Paris, served as gallant soldiers in the war of the rebellion.

In 1832 Mr. and Mrs. Teater united with the Methodist Episcopal Church and for nearly half a century they lived together a practical Christian life.
Mr. Teater has 86 grandchildren, and 83 great grandchildren at publication of this biography.

On November 25, 1880 he married Mrs. Emorine Vankirk, a most estimable and worthy lady.
Mr. Teater can look back with pleasure upon a well ordered and useful life, and now in his old age is blessed with many friends who honor him for the part he has taken in furthering the material and social interests of his neighborhood.
Mr. Teater, in his youth, was a neighbor and friend of Henry Clay, by whom his political opinion were influenced. He has always been a strong Anti-slavery man, and since it’s organization has affiliated with the Republication Party.
At his father’s death he inherited eight slaves, but immediately gave them their freedom.
Seventeen grandsons of his father, Paris Teater, served their country in the War of the Rebellion.

Mr. Claibourne Clark Teater died in Mystic, Iowa on January 14, 1898

James C. Murphy
2700 East 38th Street
Des Moines, Iowa, 50317

jasmurphy@earthlink.net