1860 Census - McDonough County, Illinois - Industry Township
18 July 1860 - Image 442 Page 439

  3143 3064
  Alpha Teats    29 M Farmer 1000 200 Va
  Mary               24 F                             Ill

From History of McDonough County, Illinois, 1885, Continental Historical Co., Springfield, Illinois 
Transcribed by Karl A. Petersen for McDonough County ILGenWeb
http://www.macomb.com/~ilmcdono/townships/IndustryTwp1885.html

Alpha Teats, a farmer of Industry township, was born March 3, 1831, in Preston county, West Virginia.
His parents were Adam and Elizabeth (Moser) Teats, who were likewise natives of West Virginia. His
father was born in 1790, and his mother July 13, 1793. Their marriage occurred in 1813, and the
former died in 1865, the latter in 1869. Alpha was brought up on a farm and received his education as
opportunity offered in the common schools, working hard during the summer months on the farm. He
remained with his parents, engaged in the various duties incident to farm life, until 22 years old,
and then worked out by the month for about three years. He then came west, and first lived with
Nathaniel Scott, in Chalmers township, of this county, about two years, working by the month.
Subsequently he worked for other parties until 1860. Upon the 6th day of March, of that year, he was
married to Mary Vail, daughter of John Vail, of Industry township. By that union were five
children—Lucinda, born August 1, 1861; Adaline, born July 16, 1864; Nancy L., born September 24,
1865; John E., born January 23, 1868, and died August 21, 1869, and Bertha S., born January 18, 1877.
Mr. Teats is now engaged in general farming, and owns a farm on section 8, Industry township, which
is fairly well improved. Himself and wife are members of the Christian church. Politically, he has
always been a democrat.