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Herbert Gaston "Bud" Teel • 1892–1959
BIRTH 28 AUG 1892 • Paris, Lamar, Texas, USA
DEATH 11/12/1959 • El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA
Paternal Grandfather
1893 Age 1 • Birth of sister Helen Elena Teel Alsobrook (1893–1914) • 28 Sep 1893 • Roxton, Lamar, Texas, USA
1895 Age 3 • Birth of brother James "Jim" Elmus Teel (1895–1961) • 24 Sep 1895 • Dallas, Collin, Texas, USA
1900 Age 7 • Birth of brother William Jennings Teel (1900–1972) • 28 May 1900 • Roxton, Lamar, Texas, USA
1900 Age 8 • Residence • 1900 • Brookston and Ambia, Lamar, Texas, USA • Precinct 2
1902 Age 9 • Birth of brother Earl Williard Teel (1902–1980) • 4 Mar 1902 • Roxton, Lamar County, Texas, USA
1905 Age 12 • Birth of sister Edith Georgia Teel (1905–2001) • 14 Mar 1905 • Roxton, Lamar, Texas, USA
1907 Age 15 • Birth of brother Morris Ashley Teel Sr (1907–1974) • 14 Oct 1907 • Paris, Lamar County, Texas, USA
1910 Age 18 • Birth of brother John Thomas Teel (1910–1985) • 24 Oct 1910 • Roxton, Lamar, Texas, USA
1910 Age 18 • Residence • Justice Precinct 2, Lamar, Texas, USA • Single: Son
1912 Age 20 • Death of Father John Elmus Teel (1867–1912) • 21 Oct 1912 • Roxton, Lamar, Texas, USA
1914 Age 21 • Death of sister Helen Elena Teel Alsobrook (1893–1914) • 03 Feb 1914 • Roxton, Lamar, Texas, USA
1917 Age 25 • Residence • 1917 • Grayson, Texas, USA
1919 Age 27 • Marriage • 09 Nov 1919 • Denton County, Texas, USA • Martha Ruth Hall Teel • (1897–1967)
1920 Age 28 • Death of Mother Mary Elizabeth "Lizzie" Ashley (1872–1920) • 29 Sep 1920 • San Angelo, Texas, USA
1920 Age 28 • Birth of daughter Jesse Helen Teel Brewer (1920–1980) • 18 Nov 1920 • McKinney, Collin, Texas, USA
1920 Age 28 • Residence • 1920 • Justice Precinct 1, Tom Green, Texas, USA • Married: Head
1922 Age 30 • Birth of son Emmett Bennett Teel (1922–1973) • 13 Dec 1922 • Paris, Lamar, Texas, USA
1925 Age 32 • Birth of son Elmer Gordon Teel (1925–1993) • 18 May 1925 • Carlsbad, Tom Green County, Texas, USA
1930 Age 37 • Birth of daughter Meredith Alice Teel Savoie (1930–2013) • 27 Feb 1930 • Barstow, Ward, Texas, USA
1930 Age 38 • Residence • 1930 • Barstow, Ward, Texas, USA • Married: Head
1932 Age 39 • Birth of son Johnny Clifford Teel (1932–1993) • 30 Jul 1932 • Barstow, Ward, Texas
1935 Age 42 • Birth of daughter Norma Joan Teel (1935–1954) • 28 Jun 1935 • McCamey, Upton, Texas, USA
1935 Age 43 • Residence • 1935 • Upton, Texas, USA
1940 Age 48 • Residence • 1940 • C. P. #4, Upton, Texas, USA • Married: Head
1942 Age 50 • Residence • 1942 • McCamey, Texas, USA
1950 Age 58 • Residence • 1950 • Jal, Lea, New Mexico, USA
1953 Age 61 • Residence • 1953 • Midland, Texas, USA • 2009 Bryant
1954 Age 62 • Death of daughter Norma Joan Teel (1935–1954) • 26 Oct 1954 • Los Angeles, California
1955 Age 63 • Residence • 1955 • El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA • 2621 Frankfort
1956 Age 64 • Residence • 1956 • El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA • 3810 Harrison A
1957 Age 65 • Residence • 1957 • El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA • 3810 Harrison av
1959 Age 67 • Residence • 1959 • El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA • 3810 Harrison av.
1959 Age 67 • Death • 11/12/1959 • El Paso, El Paso, Texas, USA • El Paso Herald new obituary article.
1959 • Burial • 14 Nov 1959 • El Paso, El Paso County, Texas, USA • Restlawn Memorial Park
Photograph of Herbert Gaston cropped from photo of family farm about 1912
In 1917, Herbert registered for military service. Remember that World War 1 is raging at this time. There are no records that indicate Herbert was ever called into service. The registration card states that his Mother, 2 brothers and a sister depend on him for support. This indicates that John Elmus has passed away and Elizabeth is still alive in 1918. Also it records that Herbert is still single.
The photo on the left and right of a young Herbert Gaston most likely taken before he was married. Probably about the same time that he registered for the draft around 1917. He would have been about 24 or 25.
It is thought that he and Ruth marry in 1919 on either September 11th or November 9th in Denton County Texas. I believe this is passed-
No record of the marriage has been discovered.
The 1920 census record for Tom Green county, Justice Township precinct 1, confirms the 1918 Draft Registration card information regarding Herbert’s support of his family. The only exception is that Herbert is now married to Martha Ruth Hall. The newlyweds are the only ones listed under the roof of the Herbert G. Teel household. However, next door is Will Teel 19, listed as head of household and mother Lizzie 46, brother Earl (17), sister Edith (14), and brothers Morris (11) and John (8). Herbert, Will and Earl are all listed as farm laborers on a home farm. Edith, Morris and John are attending school. Both of these Properties are being rented. Elizabeth is alive at this census but unfortunately will pass away later that year on September 29TH. John Elmus and Elizabeth both die at a much too early age.
The 1930 census now finds the Herbert Teel family in Barstow Texas. The census records Herbert as a Section Forman (Highway Dept?). He was renting the home and was paying $5 a month. That’s $80 in today’s dollars. The family did not own a radio which was a major form of both communication and entertainment for the time. Not a lot of people owned a radio. Also interestingly, is the record of his marriage at the age of 25 and Ruth at age 22. This means they were married 11 years earlier and confirms that the 1919 marriage year is correct. Bud and Ruth’s children in 1930 were Jessie Helen 10, Emmett B. 8, Elmer G. 5 and Meredith A. 1 month.
T
he salvaged photo on the right is of the kids sitting on the hood of a car that was taken sometime about 1930. Also living in the household is Ruth’s dad Algy E. Hall and her brother Harry H. Hall. Algy is recorded as a 61 year old widower. His son Harry, 40, is working for the highway department may be helping the family with the bills. The stock market crash of 1929 has led many families to join together in their efforts to survive. In December of this year (1930) is when the Bank of United States in New York City collapsed. This sparked a nationwide run on the banking system and was a major contributor to the deflationary spiral of 1931-
I recall one of the stories that my dad told me. This census records my dad Emmett, as 8 years old. So, this story most likely happened at about this time. As the story goes, his mom, Grandma Ruth, made donuts. It was a very special treat for the kids. Well, Grandma Ruth had learned not to waste anything during those hard times, so she used the leftover sugar she had used to coat the donuts to make strawberry Kool-
The next record is the 1940 Census where we now find Bud and family in Upton County Texas near McCamey. All 6 of Bud and Ruth’s kids are living at home. Bud is working for the State Highway Department as a Maintenance Patrolman. At that job he worked 52 weeks in 1939 and earned $1440. Herbert owned their home in Upton County and it was valued at $200 ($3815 in today’s dollars).
This is a photo of Bud and his brother Morris, who came for a visit, taken about 1940. Bud was 46, Morris 32 and living in El Paso.
Helen is 19 and working full time as a Waitress at a Cafe.
The record indicates that Helen worked 49 weeks in the previous year and made $432.
This photo at left was taken in front of the Cafe where she worked. Note the prices on the menu board and 15 cent beer. (Click Photo to Enlarge)
Emmett (my Dad) 16 and Elmer 14 are working at the local golf links. Emmett is identified as a Caddy Master and Elmer is a Caddy.
This school photo was taken at about this time when Emmett and Elmer were in their early teens.
My Dad and Uncle Elmer loved golf and committed to the game all of their lives. On top of that, they were great at it.
Later on, in 1942, when Herbert was 49, he would again register for military service. Pearl Harbor had been bombed 4 months earlier. Again there is no records of Herbert ever serving in the military. He never hesitated to do his patriotic duty and would be ready if needed. He went to McCamey to register.
1900 is the first record of Herbert Gaston Teel when he was 8 years old and living at home with his Mom and Dad on the farm in Lamar County Texas. This census record indicates that Herbert was a “School Boy”, had attended 6 months of school, however couldn’t read or write but did speak English. His older sister Oracie (9) was also attending school, the record indicates she could read and write.
The year is 1910 and Herbert is now 18 and recorded as a Farm Laborer on the Home Farm. The family now has 9 children with 7 of them living at home and one on the way. Oressa has left to her own family now. Lizzie is expecting with John Thomas, and Morris is the youngest at 3. There is a photo of the John Elmus family on the Lamar County homestead (see John Elmus Bio) and believed to be taken around this time (about 1912). Judging by the photo, Herbert appears to be about 20.
The 1950 Census now find the Bud Teel family living in Jal New Mexico. Bud now 56 and is working 60 hours a week as a Pipefitter in Gas Production.
The photo on the left was taken at about 1950 in Jal NM, you can see Johnny Teel age 17 in the background. I know this is about 1950 because Bud and Ruth are standing in front of what looks to be a brand new 1949 Buick Sedanette.
Living at home in Jal are Ruth, Johnny C. 17, Joann 14.
Also living with Mom and Dad is Meredith and her son Terry. Meredith’s Marital Status is Separated. Terry is 1yr. Meredith will marry Herman Savoie in about 7 months, January 6, 1951.
Emmett and Anna Teel are living in Jal at this time as well with their daughter Beverly according to the 1950 Census.
Also living in Jal are Joshua and Helen Brewer with their three boys Michael 7, Dennis 6, and Jerry 3.
I could not find any record of Herbert’s son Elmer and his wife Geneive in 1950.
In fact, the 1950 Census record is the last Census record I found for any of the Teel family.
In 1953 Herbert and Ruth have relocated to Midland Texas, this is verified by the Midland City Directory for that year. Bud and Ruth lived at Bryant St. Also listed at 2009 Bryant St. Is Bud’s son Johnny and wife Dee Teel. Johnny and Dee were just married the year before 1/25/1952.
Helen Teel about 1940
Bud and Morris about 1940
Ruth and Herbert
Thought to be wedding photos
Helen, Emmett, Elmer, and Meredith
On October 29 1954, Bud and Ruth lost their youngest daughter Norma Joan (Joan or Jo Ann) to a heart condition. She died in a children’s hospital in Los Angeles California after being sent there for surgery in an attempt to save her life. She was 19 years old and her death was shocking and unexpected to the family. I did not know Joan as I was only months old when she died, but I knew her by the love those that did know her shared as they told of the lovely and beautiful person she was. Norma Joan Teel was buried in El Paso Texas. At the time of her death she was engaged to Charles Ballard. Charles and Joan are pictured on the left.
The last five years of Bud’s life with Ruth were spent living in El Paso Texas. The 1955 US Cities directory had them living at 2621 Frankfort Ave and then from 1956, 1957 and until the time of Bud’s death in 1959 they were living at 3810 Harrison Ave. Bud continued to work for El Paso Natural Gas as a Pipefitter until he died on November 11, 1959. He was 67.
Ruth remained close to her children and grandchildren from then until her death in October 1967. She died of a heart attack while bowling (she loved to bowl) in Farmington New Mexico. Grandma Ruth was living at the time in the Farmington area and had lived with my family for a period in the mid-
Acknowledgement of census data errors / Inaccurate and inefficient Records
Prior to 1850, a US Census would list only the name of the head of the household. Family members and persons living in the household, including the head, were listed either Male or Female and grouped into age ranges. (Example) This makes it difficult to trace women and children born, living, or married prior to 1850. So even if a head of the household is found in a census, there is a challenge to match the age of a married couple and their children should be when compared to other known records (such as death records or census records dating 1850 and after). Also, in census taking 1850 and after, I have discovered many errors in recording made of Place of Birth. For example, in the 1850 census for the Peter Teel family, all family members are recorded as being born in Virginia. Known family members not born in Virginia are known to be Peter Teel and his parents Philip and Lucy, all thought to be born in New York. The name Virginia is not written out but is simply a ditto mark from the space above. Another example is the 1880 census record for the Chas Teel family where Chas as well as his father and mother are recorded as being born in Missouri. Chas Teel as well as his mother (we believe) were born in Virginia and Peter his father was born in New York.
Missing or Lacking Records
Many of the original 13 colonies including New York did not require registration of births, marriages, and/or deaths until the late 1800’s and even then, compliance with the law was haphazard. Due to this, these records can be lacking for many events.
This all indicates that the census data is not without error and as such is used to match those aspects that are closest to or match completely. In all cases, the matching data will outweigh the inaccuracies by far.
So, the information presented here are interpretations of findings I have discovered from many hours of investigation and are by no means error free and in many cases, “best guess” and believed to be true to the best of my interpretations of investigations.