James W. Turner

    Rev. James W. Turner, A.M., Pastor of Trinity M. E. Church, Madison, Indiana, was born August 11, 1857, in Dearborn County, Indiana, and brought up in Southern Indiana. His father, being a Methodist preacher, moved around a great deal. His father, Isaac Turner, and his mother, Alice Kenyon, were natives of England, and were married there and came to the United States in 1854, and located in Southern Indiana. His father was one of the pioneer preachers of Southern Indiana, and is still in the ministry, in active work; he is now located at Paris, Jennings County, Indiana. Mr. James W. Turner was educated in the common schools of the county, and finished his education at Moore's Hill College, spending five years at that institution, and receiving he degree of A.M. in 1876. Two years before this time, he had preached his first sermon, at Delaware, Ripley County, Indiana. In 1878 he began regular work as a preacher in the Southeastern Indiana Conference of the M. E. Church, and has been engaged in that service ever since. At present he is pastor of Trinity Church, Madison, in his second year. it is the finest church edifice in the city and has a membership of 630.

    He was married, July 29, 1880, to Miss Lizzie Woodfill, daughter of William S. Woodfill, of Greensburg, Indiana, of one of the oldest families of Decatur County. They have four living children: Rollin A., Sarah A., William W. and Wesley J.

    Rev. Mr. Turner is a member of the Free-masons, Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and the Order of the Golden Cross. He has delivered lectures on all of these orders in the principal cities of Southern Indiana. Mr. Turner's libraries one of the finest in the State, containing the best encyclopedias, choicest works on theology and history, the leading books of science and fiction, and apparently all books that would pertain tot he library of a student; thus having the tools at his hand to fit him thoroughly for his work.

Source: Biographical and Historical Souvenir for the counties of Clark, Crawford, Harrison, Floyd, Jefferson, Jennings, Scott and Washington, Indiana. By John M. Gresham & Co., 1889.