Tredyffrin Easttown Historical Society
History Quarterly Digital Archives

Source: July 1940 Volume 3 Number 3, Pages 50–51

In memoriam - Samuel Paul Teamer

Ruth J. Moore in collaboration with Mildred F. Bradley and Franklin L. Burns

Page 50

Samuel Paul Teamer was born in Malvern August 23, 1890, the son of Samuel O. and Sarah Worrell Teamer.

After completing the local high school course, Mr. Teamer graduated, after two years, in the first class from the new Tredyffrin- Easttown High School. He then matriculated at Lafayette College, attending that institution for one year; then he entered Bucknell University, where he graduated in 1913. He returned to Tredyffrin- Easttown as a teacher, continuing his studies at the University of Pennsylvania, where he obtained his Master!s degree in 1925. In addition, he coached the High School football team. In 1915 he became Principal, a position he held with honor and distinction for twenty-five years.

During the World War he attended the Officers' Training Camp at Fort Niagara, and served overseas as First Lieutenant in the 311th Field Artillery, 79th Division, returning to his school work in 1919, without having been under fire or firing a hostile shot.

Lieut. Teamer's efficiency while in the service of his country is attested by his superior officer in the following letter:

"University of Toulouse, Toulouse, France A.P.O. 943 A.E.F.
From-The Commandant, Amor. School Detach. Univ. of Toulouse
To- 1st Lieut. Samuel P. Teamer F.A. Subject: Appreciation of Service
1. I desire to express to you my appreciation and that of the entire school detachment for your painstaking and conscientious attention to duty during your service as Personnel Adjutant and Supply Officer. Handling the pay-rolls, commutation of quarters and rations, rolls of nine hundred (900) enlisted men and the pay and mileage vouchers of two hundred and fifty (250) Officers has been work requiring a great deal of care, yet you have done the work so well that one scarcely realized the labor involved, but only the fact that everything was going smoothly.
2. You have also kept the enlisted men of the detachment well clad, which fact has contributed a great deal to the content as well as the good appearance of the detachment and has had considerable to do with the good impression left by us with the French people.
3. Your department if not conducted by a competent Officer could have caused more dissension and discontent than any other work of the staff. You have performed your work with thorough efficiency and I thank you for it.
J. H. Wallace, Major F.A."

In 1930 he married Miss Mildred Brown of Green Tree and first resided at Daylesford, but soon leased the house of the late Professor MacNamee on Conestoga Road opposite the High School, where he lived at the time of his death.

He could view from his doorstep the front of the original High School building which he likened to the chaste Colonial architecture of Carpenters' Hall, and he could look down the wooded vale opening into the Great Valley and beyond to the hallowed hills of Valley Forge he loved so well. Surely his dwelling place was one to inspire the historian.

Page 51

The organizations to which Mr. Teamer belonged are indicative of his varied interests. He was a member of Malvern Baptist Church, Thompson Lodge No. 340, F. & A. M., Tredyffrin Country Club, Dalton- Wanzel Post No. 646, American Legion, Paoli-Malvern-Berwyn Rotary Club, Chester County Historical Society and Tredyffrin-Easttown History Club.

He was a trustee of tho Paoli Monument Association, song leader of the local Rotary Club, and during 1935-1937, editor of "The Rotator" in which he frequently introduced historical notes and quotations.

The high scholastic rating of the Tredyffrin-Easttown High School today is due to the zeal of the Principal, and he was unusually well-versed in its administration costs. Few realize the time and thought he gave school problems. Except for his four years at college and two in the War, he had been connected with the High School since 1907. It was largely through his efforts that the new Junior High was added, and he was privileged to see the first class graduate from there in 1940. A man of the highest ideals, well-equipped to mould youthful minds, and regarding that always as his first obligation, he commanded the respect of his pupils.

He instituted an unusual method of teaching history. Recognizing the possibilities of a section so rich in historical lore, he conducted his classes on field tours, making such names as Valley Forge, Paoli, Brandywine and Gettysburg more than mere words on a printed page. He had few local rivals as a commentator, and was in constant demand as a public speaker. His talks were usually illustrated with maps of his own making.

These interests led him in August, 1936, in company with several others, to form the Tredyffrin-Easttown History Club, of which he was president until his death. The Club met monthly in his home, and there the archives wore kept. He found much enjoyment in this organization, and his associates welcomed his leadership. Members gave rapt attention when the professor, as he was affectionately termed, outlined some Revolutionary happening, and they were delighted when, in a lighter vein, he regaled them with amusing personal adventures.

A man of splendid physique, one associated him with health and vigor. To some he may have appeared stern, but those who know him best found beneath that protective exterior a humility and boyish enthusiasm that was most appealing. He loved life and found it good. He was anticipating his 50th birthday anniversary, because he felt one had not really lived until he had passed fifty. Thus he epitomized Brownings's "Grow old along with me, the best is yet to be..."

He seldom mentioned his physical disability, which in truth was scarcely noticeable. An infection contracted during the war was probably responsible. Neither he nor his many friends realized the seriousness of the disease which finally caused his death on June 24, 1940. He is survived by his invalid wife and a brother, Homer W., of Cynwyd.

Although the bugle and its sad echo have sounded taps in the Malvern Baptist Cemetery, where his grave overlooks the Paoli Camp grounds, we of the Tredyffrin-Easttown History Club shall carry on with cherished memories of his leadership.