GEORGE B. TEAL, hardware, son to George and Nancy (Brower) Teal, is a native of Preble County, Ohio. When three years of age, his parents became residents of Perry Township where, upon the farm, he passed his boyhood days, remaining at home until twenty-two years of age. He ten went to Ligonier and embarked in the drug trade with Dr. Arnold, continuing for four months when they divided up the stock, and our subject removed to Albion, starting in that trade, then in association with his brother, Dr. Norman Teal. They continued there until 1861, when Dr. Teal entered the army, and our subject returned upon the farm, soon after going to Ligonier, when for ten years he was engaged as clerk in dry goods, hardware, drug and grocery stores, also learning photography. He then went to Geneseo, Ill., where he remained only two months, returning to Ligonier. In 1865, he removed to Brimfield, where for nine years he carried on the drug business, also serving as United States Express Agent for five years. He then accepted the agency for Kendallville for that company, and in 1876 added to his business by buying a stock of hardware in association with A. P. Frank, which partnership lasted until 1880, when Mr. Teal became the sole owner. In 1880, he severed his connection with the express company, and is now devoting his attention exclusively to the hardware trade. In 1877, he was appointed Clerk of the Circuit Court, to fill a vacancy occasioned by the death of Joseph Cox, and performed the duties of that position for six months. He is a knight Templar, and a progressive and liberal-minded citizen. Mr. Teal was united in marriage, in 1861, to Miss Anna A. Mason, a native of La Grange County, and daughter of Peter L. Mason, one of the early settlers, and the first Sheriff of that county. She died in December, 1863, leaving two children, Adda B., now deceased, and William B. In October, 1880, he was united to a second wife, Mrs. Clara Ray, of Coldwater, Mich. Her maiden name was Clara Redfield, formerly of Clifton Springs, N. Y.
Counties of La Grange and Noble, Indiana, Historical and Biographical, Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, © 1882, Part 2, p. 315.
Transcribed by Denise Wells, June 2013.