Roxburghshire, Scotland, November 23, 1806. His parents, Robert and Ellen (Brydon) Turnbull, were also natives of Scotland, the former (a soldier under General Elliott) participated in the siege of Gibraltar, and, after his honorable discharge from the British army, married and engaged in farming in Scotland until his death in 1809. Uncle John, in his boyhood (aged 8 1/2 years), served eight years as cowherd for Thomas Stavart, subsequently had charge of a flock of sheep, and in 1826 removed to Lochcanon, Rosshire, where he was shepherd for Adam Scott on the Tullich farm, serving for eleven years. During this time, on February 22, 1834, he married Margaret, daughter of Thomas and Margaret (Fife) Oliver. On June 14, 1837, he and wife sailed from Greenwich for America, landed at Chicago, September 1st, moved in a few days to Joliet, and thence, in February, 1838, to Osceola Grove. Here he purchased a squatter's claim of 160 acres for twenty-five dollars (on section twenty-one) the same year; subsequently purchased it from the United States, and has made this his home ever since. He added 120 acres to his original purchase, and has followed farming and sheep-raising here since 1838. He takes pride in the fact that his first vote was cast for Henry Clay. "I lost it," says he, "but he was a grand old man." Uncle John has been justice of the peace for over thirty years, was supervisor for three terms, and school director for a number of years. He was one of the original members of the United Presbyterian church here, and one of its most earnest supporters since organization. Mr. and Mrs. Turnbull never had children, but by adoption reared a number of nephews and nieces, namely, Thomas Rule, married, living on the frontier; Will Rule, married, a resident of Iowa; Jane Rule, deceased, and Anna Rule, married, residing in Iowa. The two orphans, Mary and Matthew Phelan, were raised and educated by "Uncle John" and his wife; also, they reared H. H. Oliver and William B. Turnbull, giving parental care in each instance. Mr. T. is one of the most honored members of the Old Settlers' association, the annual meetings of which he attends. In political matters he is republican, versed in all subjects, and now, in his eighty-first year, a synonym for health and vigor.

John G. Turnbull was born in Dumphrieshire, Scotland, December 20, 1828. His parents, Robert and Margaret (Graham) Turnbull, resided in Roxburghshire so early as 1799, for there the eldest son, Thomas, now deceased, was born. Of their six children, all born in Scotland, John G., of this township, and Sophia, married, residing in Bureau county, survive. The family settled in Canada in 1837, moved to Joliet, Ill., in 1838, where Margaret Turnbull's mother and two brothers were attacked and carried off by some disease, and were buried there. During the following winter the survivors of this party moved to Elmira township, the father purchasing a farm on section twenty-two. Here there were five more children born to them, among whom are Robert, married, in Page county, Ia.; James, married, a citizen of Missouri; Adam, married, of Fremont county, Ia.; George, deceased. In politics Robert Turnbull, Sr., was democratic, in reliion an Old School Presbyterian. He died in 1874, and later his wife, who for years shared all his disappointments and successes, followed