[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 79 (Thursday, May 21, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E1244-E1245]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                   EDWIN WAY TEALE HISTORICAL MARKER

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. PETER J. VISCLOSKY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 21, 2009

  Mr. VISCLOSKY. Madam Speaker, it is my distinct honor to take this 
time to recognize the Indiana Historic Bureau's unveiling of one of 
their 500 historical markers to honor the late Pulitzer Prize author, 
photographer, naturalist, and former Porter County, Indiana, resident, 
Edwin Way Teale (1899-1980). The historical marker is located at the 
center of Furnessville, Indiana, where Edwin Way Teale and his family 
once lived. Furnessville, a community with undefined borders, lies 
between Pine and Westchester townships, at the north end of Porter 
County. An unveiling ceremony of the historical marker will take place 
on Saturday, May 30, 2009, in the center of Furnessville near Musette 
Lewry, estate of the late American Naturalist, Edwin Way Teale.
  Edwin Way Teale put Furnessville on the map with his autobiographical 
book Dune Boy: The Early Years of a Naturalist. The book was an account 
of the time he spent as a child on the farm owned by his grandparents, 
Edwin and Jemina Way, discovering the dunes of Northwest Indiana. In 
1915, his grandparents' farm burned down. Next, The Maples, in the 
center of Furnessville, became home to his

[[Page E1245]]

grandparents, and many years later, was the home of Teale's wife, 
Nellie, and their son, David. Eventually, Musette Lewry was built on 
this foundation. Trent D. Pendley, who purchased Teale's home in 
Furnessville, applied for the State Historical Marker, which was 
approved in October 2007 by the Indiana State Library after undergoing 
significant study. There are only about 500 of these larger markers 
throughout the State of Indiana. The criteria for the State Historical 
Marker is based on the national significance of the site or honoree.
  Edwin Way Teale was born on June 2, 1899, in Joliet, Illinois. As a 
child, his fondest memories were the summer months he spent on the 
Furnessville farm owned by his grandparents. It was this time spent in 
Indiana, as a child, that became the backdrop for Teale to discover his 
love, respect, and wonder of nature. His grandparents gave him the 
freedom to explore the surrounding landscape, which became the most 
significant influence on his future career as a writer and naturalist. 
Teale went on to study English Literature and received a Bachelor of 
the Arts degree from Earlham College in Richmond, Indiana. During this 
time, he met his wife, Nellie Donovan, and they were married in 1923. 
Teale then began his writing career after graduating with a Master of 
the Arts degree from Columbia University in 1926. Edwin and Nellie had 
one son, David, who died in battle during World War II. In honor of 
their son, Edwin and Nellie collaborated on a four-book series 
detailing natural seasonal changes across the United States. In 1965, 
Teale won the Pulitzer Prize for Wandering Through Winter, a book that 
was part of this series, which is an account of the four winter months 
he and his wife spent traveling through the United States. He also won 
the John Burroughs Award for nature writing, and went on to publish 
thirty books in his lifetime. Edwin Way Teale passed away on October 
18, 1980.
  Madam Speaker, I ask you and my other distinguished colleagues to 
join me in commending the Indiana Historic Bureau's unveiling of the 
State Historical Marker to honor one of Northwest Indiana's finest 
citizens, Edwin Way Teale. For his notable, and highly respectable 
literary and environmental influence both nationally and in Northwest 
Indiana, he is worthy of the highest praise. I respectfully ask you and 
my other distinguished colleagues join me in honoring Edwin Way Teale 
and acknowledging the Indiana State Historical Marker in his name as a 
tremendous source of pride for Northwest Indiana.

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