William Turner

William Turner

William Turner, farmer, section up, Norwich Township, was born in Cayuga Co., N. Y., March 20, 1832. His father, John Turner, was born in New York, and in his native State was a "renter." Later in life he moved to Oxford Co., Can., and there engaged a number of years in farming, removing thence to Laporte Co., Ind., to a farm near Valparaiso, Ind., where he spent the remainder of his life. He left a large family of children, with whom the mother, Syrena (Smedley) Turner, returned to Canada, where they were reared and contributed to maintaining and holding the household together. Mrs. Turner afterward married Joseph Smith.

The family lived remote from schools and their circumstances prevented the children from obtaining much education; but their experience and observation supplied a large degree of this deficiency. Mr. Turner remained at home assisting his mother in her cares until he was 22 years of age. He was then married, Sept. 18, 1858, to Hannah, daughter of Christopher and Jane (Smith) Stockdale, natives of England. Mrs. Turner was born in Lower Canada, Feb. 7, 1830, and of her marriage to Mr. Turner two children were born, as follows: Delilah, Sept. 6, 1862, and Lydia, May 17, 1868. The latter died July 21, 1882.

After marriage Mr. Turner continued to labor as a farm hand. He managed a place-owned by Homer Ranney and devoted to dairy purposes, and after remaining in his employ eight years he resolved on turning his energies to his own account. He came to Michigan, arriving in the woods of Newaygo County Sept. g, 1874, and bought 40 acres of land, which he proceeded to improve. He cut the forest trees and destroyed them by fire to obtain a field for a crop, built a log hoarse and has expended years of hard labor in preparing a home for his family. He has now 80 acres of land, with 25 acres improved.

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