Frank E. Teeple
The Spring Valley Stock Farm, a fine property of two hundred
and seventeen acres lying on section 11, Ludlow township, is the
property of Frank E. Teeple, one of the most prominent farmers
and stock-raisers and most progressive citizens of Allamakee
county. He is a native of Iowa, born in Winneshiek county,
October 8, 1854, and is a son of George Teeple, a native of New
York, who in his childhood went to Canada with his parents, where
he remained until he was twenty years of age. The father came to
the states when a young man and spent some time in Michigan and
Illinois, arriving in Iowa in September, 1852. He located in
Glenwood township, Winneshiek county, and there purchased land
and opened up a farm, afterward buying and disposing of several
agricultural properties in that vicinity. In 1864 he moved to
Allamakee county and bought the Spring Valley Stock Farm which he
improved and developed with the other lands he held until his
death, which occurred in 1877. He had married in Winneshiek
county on the 22d of October, 1853, Miss Annette Penfield, who
was born in Pennsylvania, where she was reared and educated. She
later came to Iowa and was the first teacher in Glenwood
township, Winneshiek county. She passed away in 1875, two years
before the death of her husband.
Frank E. Teeple is the oldest in a family of five sons. He was
ten years of age when he came with his parents to Allamakee
county and the greater part of his life has been spent on the
Spring Valley Stock Farm. He assisted his father with its
operation until the latter’s death and then purchased the
interests of the other heirs and succeeded to the management of
the homestead, whereon he has continued to reside to the present
time. There is an excellent residence upon the property, fine
barns and outbuildings and labor-saving machinery, while three
good springs furnish an abundance of water for stock and domestic
purposes. Mr. Teeple is a stock-raiser on an extensive scale,
keeping high-grade milch cows for dairy purposes, one hundred
head of Durham cattle, Poland China hogs and Norman and Belgian
horses. In addition to this farm he owns another fine property of
one hundred and sixty acres in Franklin township, this being a
well improved and well managed stock farm. He was one of the
promoters of the Ludlow Cooperative Creamery and has served as a
director, vice president and the president of this association,
to which he sold more cream than any other member. He is also a
stockholder in the Farmers Hog and Produce Company, of which he
has been auditor for several years, and in business circles his
resourcefulness energy and ability are recognized and respected.
In Ludlow, on the 29th of April, 1879, Mr. Teeple was united in
marriage to Miss Lucinda Fuller, who was born, reared and
educated in Winneshiek county and who previous to her marriage
taught in the public schools. She passed away November 17, 1901,
leaving four daughters: Angie, who is her father’s
housekeeper; Cora, the wife of J. E. McCabe, a prominent farmer
of Jefferson township; Ida, who married J. E. Wittenberger,
station agent at East Dubuque for the Chicago, Burlington &
Quincy Railroad; and Bessie, a graduate of Fayette College. Mr.
Teeple’s four daughters are all well educated and cultured
women, having completed full college courses. They and their
father are devout members of the Methodist Episcopal church, to
which Mrs. Teeple also belonged. Fraternally Mr. Teeple is
connected with the Masonic lodge and chapter. He gives his
political allegiance to the republican party and has held various
important positions of public trust and honor. He is one of the
well known and substantial farmers and stock-raisers of Allamakee
county and is besides a public spirited and progressive citizen,
cooperating heartily in all movement for the growth, advancement
and development of the section in which he has so long resided.
-source: Past & Present of Allamakee County; by
Ellery M. Hancock; S. J. Clarke Pub. Co.; 1913
-transcribed by Diana Diedrich
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