After Bennett died in 1869, Steele became the sole manager of the grain, coal, lime and phosphate business.
[2] Steele was appointed as postmaster of Chesapeake City by President Andrew Johnson.
[2] Steele served as director of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of Cecil County for 44 years.
He served as president of the organization for fifteen years, succeeding Jacob Tome.
They had five children, Bennett, Stanley, J. Groome, Harold and Dora B. Steele was an Episcopalian and was a vestryman of the Protestant Episcopal Church.