Teeple, Godfrey P.

TEEPLE, SMITH, MYATT

Posted By: Volunteer Transcribers
Date: 1/25/2003 at 09:27:45

Source: "The 1901 Biographical Record of Clinton Co., Iowa, Illustrated" published: Chicago : S. J. Clarke Pub. Co., 1901.

GODFREY P. TEEPLE.

Godfrey P. Teeple, who belongs to the oldest family of Sharon township, was born on the farm where he now resides, April 9, 1854, and is to-day the oldest native resident of the township. His parents, Luther and Charlotte (Smith) Teeple, were born, reared and married in Canada, and in 1848 came to this county, being the first to locate in Sharon township. The father entered a tract of government land on section 10, and in 1849 built the first frame house in the township, and in 1851 erected the first frame barn, the settlers coming from miles around to be present at the raising, both of which buildings are now standing. Here he run a tavern, it being the half-way house between Dubuque and Iowa City, and all of the early settlers living in this part of the county stopped there on their arrival in the county. Mr. Teeple also engaged in farming and served as tax collector, carrying the money obtained on horseback to DeWitt. He continued to reside upon his farm, his time and attention being devoted to agricultural pursuits until called to his final rest, July 31, 1896. His wife died July 26, 1890. They were the parents of five children, namely: Godfrey P., our subject; Charles P., a resident of Wilton Junction, Iowa; Angeline, wife of Sherman Teeple, of Mechanicsville, Iowa; Maria, a resident of Keystone, this state; and Albert, of Long Grove, Iowa.

In 1849-50 the old homestead of Mr. Teeple was used as a camping place for the numerous parties en route to the gold fields of California. It was also used as headquarters for outfitting parties which went west from this section. In those days it became one of the most noted places west of the Mississippi, as travelers would journey till midnight and often later so as to camp at what was known far and near as South Grove. As everyone knows, the old homestead stands on the old territorial road, which runs in the same direction to-day, with all its crooks and turns, as it did in those early days.

In 1866 the mother of our subject secured an engagement with the Yankee Robinson Shows, being advertised as Madam Moxley, the English Giantess, the largest woman in the world. For twenty years she traveled over the United States and Canada and her name became a household word from the Atlantic to the Pacific and from the gulf to the great northwest.

Our subject received his education in the public schools of this county, and Cornell College, Mt. Vernon. He began his business career as a farmer in Sharon township, and after leaving his parents he bought six hundred acres of land in Jackson county, near the Sharon township line, where he resided for sixteen years. On selling that place he purchased another farm in Jackson county, where he continued to live until 1900, and then returned to the old Teeple homestead, where he was born. Here he owns two hundred and sixty acres of fine farming land, and also has one hundred and sixty acres in Osceola county, Iowa, and sixty acres in Jackson county. He follows general farming, and is also interested in the raising and breeding of cattle.

In 1876 Mr. Teeple married Miss Elizabeth Myatt, a daughter of Richard Myatt, now deceased, who was also an early settler of Sharon township, and was a farmer and local minister of the Methodist Episcopal church. Unto our subject and his wife have been born two children, Charlotte and Leone. By his ballot Mr. Teeple supports the Republican party and its principles. During his long residence in this section of the state he has witnessed the marvelous transformation that has taken place, and as a generous, liberal-minded and progressive citizen has aided its development. He receives and merits the high regard of the entire community, and has many friends throughout Clinton and Jackson counties.