Warren Teele Biography >From "History of Davenport and Scott County" Vol. II by Harry E. Downer-S. J. Clarke Publishing Co. 1910 Chicago. Surnames: Teele, Dalzell, Parks, Blair, Zeuch. The name of Warrant Teele was inseparably connected with the history of federal interests in Davenport as representative of its postoffice service. For almost forty years, beginning in 1869, he was assistant postmaster, continuing in the position although the duties of the office increased year by year with the continuous growth of the city. No higher testimonial of fidelity, capability and trustworthiness could by given than a simple statement of the fact that his connection with the postoffice covered almost four decades. Mr. Teele was born in Woburn, Massachusetts, December 31, 1828, and was the last survivor of a family of seven children. He left school at the age of seventeen years and, seeking the opportunities of the west, established his home in Cannelton, Indiana, where he engaged in merchandising. In 1856 he returned to New England but soon again came to the middle west, believing that the opportunities of the Mississippi valley were superior to those offered in the east, where competition was greater. On the 11th of October, 1856 he arrived in Davenport and entered business circles of this city as a salesman and bookkeeper in the wholesale grocery house of M. Dalzell & Company, with whom he remained for about two years. Then he accepted a similar position with R. H. Parks & Company, wholesale and retail clothiers of this city. When President Lincoln was first elected to the position of chief magistrate of the nation Mr. Teele was appointed by Montgomery Blair, then postmaster general, as mail route agent between Davenport ad Dubuque. He filled the position in an acceptable manner for five years, during which time the mails between the two cities were carried by steamboat during the open season. While thus engaged Mr. Teele had many interesting experiences and accumulated a fund of reminiscences which he drew upon for many an interesting tale in later life. At length he left the government employ and for four years was a traveling salesman in the service of a paper bag company. In 1869, however, he returned to the federal employ, for when Edward Russell was appointed postmaster of Davenport Mr. Teele was called to the position of assistant postmaster and remained in that connection continuously until the 4th of July, 1908. He witnessed the growth of the office from a business of twenty-five thousa! nd dollars per year to one of several millions, and throughout the entire period carefully controlled the interests of the government and the general public in his administration of affairs connected with the collection and distribution of the mails. On the 20th of September, 1853, Mr. Teele was married in Winchester, Massachusetts, to Miss Dora Nicholas, and in 1903 they celebrated their golden wedding, many friends rejoicing with them on that auspicious occasion. They had two children: Mrs. Herman J. Zeuch; and Jennie N., a teacher in the Lincoln school. The family are members of the Congregational church and are prominent socially in the community. Mr. Teele always gave his political allegiance to the republican party, keeping well informed on the questions and issues of the day, so that he was able to support his position by intelligent argument. He was a very public-spirited man, his cooperation in affairs of general progress being a valued element in the city's growth. His sterling character made him honored and respected by all who knew him and his fidelity to duty constituted an example that is well worthy of emulation. After a useful and well spent life he passed away January 12, 1909. ~~~~~~*~~~~~~ Elaine Rathmann Assist. CC: Scott Co, IA USGenWeb Project List Adm. for: *IA-CIVIL-WAR *IA-DANES