 He was the son of James Steele (1760–1816) and Mary Nevett (1769–1836).His many siblings included Mary Nevett Steele, who married John Campbell Henry, the eldest son and heir of Gov.John Henry, Ann Billings Steele Upshur, James Billings Steele, Henry Maynadier Steele, Catharine Sarah Maria Steele Ray, Sarah Maynadier Steele, and Isaac Nevett Steele.