In 1848 he married Susan Nevin at Hillsboro, Ohio, and graduated from the Law School of Cincinnati four years later.

On March 25, 1859, Steele set out for the gold fields with his wife Susan and four children in an ox-drawn prairie schooner.

Governor Steele opened the first session of the provisional territorial legislature on November 7, 1859, with a proclamation: Let us then enter upon our duties with a determination of spirit that conquers all difficulties: working for the benefit of the whole commonwealth, encouraging moderation and conservation in all our acts, that we may never be ashamed of having taken an humble part of the organization of a Provisional Government for the Territory of Jefferson.Steele called for the next session to meet on January 23, 1860.

Governor Steele attempted to deal with the officials of the Kansas Territory, which was still the recognized government over the region.

On June 6, 1861, Governor Steele issued a proclamation disbanding the Territory of Jefferson and urging all residents to abide by the laws governing the United States.

The one-time governor spent his last years in Colorado Springs, where he died on February 7, 1901, almost a month after his 81st birthday.

Steele has been called the Father of Colorado for his tireless efforts to develop the then frontier region.