Teetzel was born in Michigan in 1876. His father, William H. Teetzel, was a native of Canada who worked as a traveling salesman. His mother, Carrie Teetzel, was a native of Michigan. At the time of the 1880 United States Census, Teetzel was living with his parents and older brother, William H. Teetzel, in Indianapolis, Indiana. The family later moved to Chicago where the father worked as a salesman. Teetzel became a track star at Englewood High School in 1894. In 1895, Teetzel transferred to the Michigan Military Academy in Orchard Lake, Michigan, but returned to Englewood High School for his senior year in 1896. During his high school career, he won Illinois state high school championships in the 440-yard dash and 880-yard run, and finished in the top three in the 220-yard dash and the mi