Tobias Teller (1830 - 1901)

TELLER, HOLDEN

Posted By: Barry Mateer (email)
Date: 11/16/2023 at 20:00:29

March 14, 1901
The Osceola Democrat, page 8

Tobias Teller who died at his home in Washington township, March 6, 1901, was born in Schenectady county, New York, December 12, 1830. In 1868 he was married to Mary Holden. They have had born to them two children who are now grown to manhood, William B. and Charles R. They mourn the loss of a kind and loving husband and an indulgent father.
Mr. Teller was an enterprising and progressive citizen, always ready to undertake anything that would benefit his fellow man or the community in which he lived. He has served the township and county faithfully, also the nation.

When his country called in 1861, he responded and and said, "Here I am." He first enlisted in the Fourth California Infantry, and was sent to Puget Sound to relieve some regulars who were stationed there. He was afterwards sent to Fort Yuma in southern California where he was discharged in September 1864. He reinlisted in Company A, United States Veterans, and was mustered out at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland as First Sergeant, being discharged in 1865.

Mr.Teller united with the M.E. church on probation four years ago. During his sickness, his wife talked with him concerning his hopes and he expressed himself as being ready and willing to die. Just a few hours before his death, he told Bro. Kernahan he was perfectly prepared. He said “I am at peace with God and all men.”

The pastor in charge, aided by Rev. Robinson of Osceola, conducted the funeral service at the Washington church Friday afternoon in the presence of a crowded house of sympathizing friends. The remains were taken to the Osceola cemetery, where the G.A.R. officiated in the burial of their departed comrade.

Tobias Teller
Biographical and Historical Record : Clarke County, Iowa
Lewis Publishing Company, 1886

Tobias Teller, one of the active and enterprising agriculturists of Washington Township, was born in Schenectady County, New York, December 12, 1830, a son of W.I. and Catherine (McClain) Teller, his parents being natives of New York State, the mother born in June, 1796. They were the parents of eight children, six sons and two daughters, of whom six are still living. The parents immigrated with their family to Illinois, in 1854, and settled in Whiteside County, where the father died in May, 1860. After his death the mother returned to New York, and later went to Vermont, where she remained till her death in 1884.

Tobias Teller was reared to manhood in his native county, and received his education in the village schools. He accompanied his parents to Illinois, remaining there till 1859, when he crossed the plains for California with an ox-team, being on the way six months and eighteen days, and while there was engaged in mining. He enlisted in the service of his country in the Fourth California Infantry, and was sent to Puget Sound to relieve some regulars who were stationed there. He was afterward sent to Fort Yuma, in Southern California, where he was discharged in September, 1864.

He returned to Illinois, going thence to Washington, D.C. where he re-enlisted in Company A, United States Veterans, and was sent to Winchester, Virginia, where he was engaged in burying the remains of those who were killed in the battle of the Wilderness, which at that time was principally bones. He was mustered out at Fort McHenry, Baltimore, Maryland, as First Sargent, being discharged in 1865.

After the war Mr. Teller returned to Illinois, where he worked at the carpenter’s trade. In 1868, he was married to Mary Holden, a native of New York, and they have had born to them two children – William B. and Charles Roy. After his marriage Mr. Teller settled in Sterling, Illinois, where he followed carpentering. In 1871 he removed with his family to Clarke County, locating on a farm of eighty acres on section 15, Washington Township, which he still owns occupying this land till 1881. He then removed to the farm where he has since made his home, and in connection with his general farming he is devoting considerable attention to stock-raising, make a specialty of cattle and horses.

Mr. Tobias has served Washington Township as clerk, assessor, and school treasurer. He was elected a member of the Board of Supervisors of Clarke County, in 1881, which office he still holds, having been reelected in the fall of 1884. He is a member of the Masonic fraternity, belonging to Osceola Lodge, No. 77, and the Royal Arch Chapter, No. 23.

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