Iowa Methodism Index

The makers of Iowa Methodism:
a twentieth-century memorial of the pioneers
by Aaron W. Haines.
Cincinnati: Printed for the author by Jennings & Pye, c1900.

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Biographies submitted by Dick Barton.

GEORGE W. TEAS

The name of George W. Teas appears frequently in the annals of early Iowa Methodism. Records of his work exist in Burlington, Oskaloosa, Des Moines, and Indianola, he being the first to preach the gospel in the last-named place. He was an enthusiastic Freemason, and is represented by the chronicler of that order as "a man of singular talent. He devoted his life to the study and prosecution of the three most important professions of the day; viz., medicine, law, and theology. . . . He was a man of a high order of mind, logical, clear, and sound; of sterling sense and great conscientiousness; an ardent lover of Masonry, a safe counselor, a warm and true friend, an energetic and useful man." He did not continue in the ministry, but located in Washington, Iowa, where he died in 1864, exclaiming: "My time has come; my work is done; I am prepared to go." He was a native of Tennessee, born in Sparta, White County, in 1808.GEORGE W. TEAS The name of George W. Teas appears frequently in the annals of early Iowa Methodism. Records of his work exist in Burlington, Oskaloosa, Des Moines, and Indianola, he being the first to preach the gospel in the last-named place. He was an enthusiastic Freemason, and is represented by the chronicler of that order as "a man of singular talent. He devoted his life to the study and prosecution of the three most important professions of the day; viz., medicine, law, and theology. . . . He was a man of a high order of mind, logical, clear, and sound; of sterling sense and great conscientiousness; an ardent lover of Masonry, a safe counselor, a warm and true friend, an energetic and useful man." He did not continue in the ministry, but located in Washington, Iowa, where he died in 1864, exclaiming: "My time has come; my work is done; I am prepared to go." He was a native of Tennessee, born in Sparta, White County, in 1808.

ISAAC P. TETER was admitted to the Conference this year on trial. He was a recent arrival from Virginia , in which State he had been born in 1829. In his sixteenth year he was converted and united with the Church, and at the age of twenty-two he was given license to preach. He spent forty-seven years in the active work, all in the Iowa Conference, and died on his last field of labor, at New Sharon, Iowa, march 6, 1900. The incidents of his long ministry would furnish an interesting chapter in itself. In the earlier days of his experience, after riding all day in an open conveyance he arrived at his destination, which was the new appointment to which he had been assigned. He found entertainment at the home of one of the members of the Church; but was so discouraged with the outlook and so tired that he did not make himself known. "We are looking every minute for our preacher," said the good lady of the house; "for one of our members is to be buried to-morrow, and we are anxious that our own pastor should conduct her funeral." He learned that there was a new sect operating in that community, which claimed a monopoly on religion, and that no one outside of their communion had any right to expect to enter heaven. If the new preacher did not come, one of these would be called upon to preach. The young man, after hearing a statement of the condition of things, acknowledged that he was the circuit-rider whom they were expecting, and that he was there to attend the funeral, which he did the next day. This gave him a splendid opportunity to introduce himself, which he did in a satisfactory manner. He showed the utter folly of the teachings of those who said there was no hope for the woman who lay in the coffin before them, simply because she had not submitted to a form which they said was necessary to salvation. From that day the boy preacher held the ground in spite of all opposition. This incident illustrates the manner in which he won success everywhere he went; he made the best use of his opportunities. Once, having subscribed one hundred dollars to the college, he knew not where it was to come from. A wealthy man lived in the town, and, though not a member of the Church, Teter went to him, and said, "Now, I want you to pay this for me, as you are able and I am not," and the obligation was paid.

In 1862, while he was pastor in Sigourney, he was elected a State senator, and acquired some distinction in the Legislature the following winter. Later he was commissioned as chaplain of the Seventh Iowa Infantry, and accompanied his regiment into the South, where he remained until 1864, when , returning North, he accepted a position which had been made vacant by the death of Isaac I. Stewart, as chaplain of the military hospitals in Keokuk, where he did faithful work with the sick and dying soldiers.

His ministerial labors included terms as presiding elder on the Burlington and Ottumwa Districts. In 1896 he was a member of the General Conference, which met in Cleveland , Ohio , and worthily represented his Conference. He has well been characterized as "a man of superior natural and acquired ability, and was in the true sense an orator. His preaching was Scriptural, sound, and convincing, and delivered with force and unction. His voice was clear and musical, his enunciation distinct, and his manner pleasing; and he was sought for, for addresses upon public occasions, and he never failed to hold an audience. He had an exceedingly retentive memory, and his social qualities were marked." He was well known outside of his own denomination, and took a lively interest in all living questions.

His death was very sudden, falling in an office where he had been in conversation with some of his friends; but in this he had his long-expressed desire fulfilled, that he might be spared protracted and severe suffering. His remains were laid to rest in the Ottumwa Cemetery .