NORMAN TEAL, physician and surgeon, whose portrait appears in this work, is one of the successful practitioners of Northern Indiana. He was born in Preble County, Ohio, in December, 1829, the third of eleven children, to George and Nancy (Brower) Teal, who were pioneers of Perry Township. Nine of the children are now living. Dr. Teal passed his earlier years on his father's farm, in teaching school and as a clerk in a store. He commenced the study of medicine in 1851, at Ligonier, with Dr. C. L. Wellman. In about one year, he went to Preble County, Ohio, where, for a short time, he was under the tutorage of Dr. Nesbitt, and subsequently with Dr. Latta, of Goshen. He is a graduate of the Rush Medical College of Chicago. In 1854, the Doctor went to Springfield, Elkhart Township, where, in association with Dr. W. N. Nimmon, he remained several years. He then removed to Albion, where, with a brother, George B. Teal, he engaged in the drug trade, and also practiced his profession. In 1862, the Doctor entered the service as Assistant Surgeon. During the winter of 1862-63, he was in charge of a hospital at Murfreesboro, Tenn.; at Chattanooga, in hospital service in winter of 1863-64; and during Sherman's campaign, of the summer of 1864, was upon the operating staff in the First Division Hospital of the Fourteenth Army Corps. He rejoined Sherman's army at Goldsboro in April, 1865, and was with the advance when Joe Johnston surrendered at Durham Station, N. C. The valuable experience gained during this service has been of inestimable value to him in his later practice, especially in the field of surgery. With the exception of a few years passed in Michigan, where he was in practice, and also engaged in editing a local newspaper, which he established at Hersey, Dr. Teal has, since the war, resided at Kendallville. Here he has established a successful and lucrative practice, and as a citizen is held in high esteem. His acquaintance with the people and past events is extensive. In current literature as well as in medicine, the Doctor is well informed and keeps apace with the times. He is an influential Republican, and a member of the County Medical Society, of which he has been Secretary since its organization in 1873. He also belongs to the N. E. Medical Association. Dr. Teal was married, in 1855, to Miss Electa Shupe, of Richland County, Ohio. She died in 1860, leaving a son, George A., who graduated at Rush Medical College, Chicago, in 1882. In 1866, he married Miss Angeline Gruey, of Kendallville; they have one child living, Nannie; two dead, viz., Norman Teal, Jr., who died September 17, 1870, aged two years and two days; Alice Dutton, who died November 4, 1881, aged fourteen years one month and twenty days. Alice was a child in years, but of intellect far in advance of them--thoughtful, unselfish, tender, loving and gentle; a favorite with her teachers and classmates, and was sincerely mourned by all who knew her.
Counties of La Grange and Noble, Indiana, Historical and Biographical, Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co., Publishers, © 1882, Part 2, p. 315-316.
Transcribed by Denise Wells, June 2013.