This fine gentleman represents property to the amount of 234 acres of fine farming land in Hanover township where he has effected good improvements, and which, besides yielding him a handsome competence, enables him to lay up something each year for a rainy day. He is a native of this county, having been born in Rice Township June 14, 1842, and is the son of Richard and Elizabeth (Speer) Steele, who were born in the North of Ireland. After emigrating to America they sojourned for a time in Philadelphia, Pa., and thence came to this county some time in the thirties.

Richard Steele selected his location in Rice Township, and settled there at a time when there were but few families within its limits. He secured several hundred acres of land entering it from the Government, and paying $1.25 per acre. Upon this he labored nearly thirty years, and until his death, which occurred Feb. 26, 1859. His widow is still living, and remains at the old homestead in Rice Township. Their first residence here was a log-cabin, and some settler before them had broken about ten acres around it, then retired to parts unknown. Their life thereafter for many years was filled with hard labor, early and late, but which in due time brought its legitimate reward. The elder Steele invested his accumulated capital in additional land, and at the time of his death left to his family an estate of 400 acres, besides other valuable property. In the meantime he had been a prominent man in his community, serving on the School Board, and giving his support to the various projects calculated for the advancement of the people. He was first a Whig, politically, and a member of the Episcopal Church. The mother belongs to the United Presbyterians. There were born to them eight children, only four of whom are living, namely: John J., Charles R., Mary (the wife of J. Q. Miller), and Robert, our subject. The latter being the eldest, necessarily assumed many responsibilities when quite young, and remained with his parents until his marriage. His mother, Mrs. Steele, is now among the oldest living pioneers of Rice Township.

Our subject, when nearly twenty-nine years of age, was married, April 16, 1871, to Miss Letitia Gillespie, a native of the North of Ireland, and of this union there have been born nine children, namely: Elizabeth, Mary L., James D., Richard. Lois, Ada, Florence, Hannah, and Hugh C. They are all living, and at home with their parents. In the spring of 1880 Mr. Steele located on his present farm on section 26, where he has effected many improvements, and is steadily adding to its value. He bears an excellent reputation as an agriculturist and stock-raiser, and with his estimable wife is liighly esteemed by his neighbors and fellow-citizens.

From Portraits and Biographical Pg 708