Hon. James Turner was born at Cazenovia, N.Y., April 1, 1820, and was lineal descendant of Humphrey Turner, who emigrated from Devonshire, England, and settled in Plymouth, Mass., in 1628. His father, Francis S. Turner, and his mother, Deborah Morton, were married at Middlebury, VT., in 1799. His grandfather, Jonathan Turner, married Bridget Arthur in the year 1772. His great-grandfather, Paine Turner, was married at New London, Conn., Nov. 3, 1745, to Eleanor Haines. Samuel Humphrey Turner, of the seventh generation, now owns and occupies the old farm in Seituate, Mass., where his ancestor, Humphrey Turner, lived and died, the farm never having passed out of the family.
Mr. Turner's early educational advantages were quite limited; but, having a great love for books and an ardent desire to obtain such an education as would fit him for the active duties of business life, he improved every opportunity that came in his way. In 1840 he removed to Leoni, Mich., where he became clerk in a store. He afterwards traveled throught the country with a wagon, selling goods and purchasing produce. In 1841 he removed to Mason and engaged in the mercantile business, in which he continued until 1847. When the capital of the State was located at Lansing, he removed to that place and erected the first frame house in the north part of the city. For some time he carried on the mercantile trade, end thenengaged in the construction of the Lansing and Howell plankroad, of which company he was treaurer and manager. The building of this road was of vast importance to this section of the State. Mr. Turner carried through against many obstacles, securing a large amount of foreign capital to complete the work. In 1860, upon the election of John Owen as State treasurer, Mr. Turner was appointed duputy State treasurer, the duties of the office being under his exclusive supervision for six years. In 1864 he originated the project of a rail road from Jackson to Lansing, which was subsequently known as the Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw Railroad, and devoted the greater portion of his time to the successful prosecution of the work. He was treasurer and land commissioner of the company from its organization until his death. Mr. Turner was also interested in the construction of a railroad from Ionia to Lansing, of which he was treasurer, superintendent, and a member of the first board of directors. For a number of years he was agent ot Eastern holders of Michigan lands, by whom he was intrusted with large sums of money for investment. During a period of several years he was agent for the Society of Shakers in the investment of money. In 1866 he was elected a member of the State Senate from the district embracing Ingham and Clinton Counties. He was prominently identified with the railroad legislation of that session, and was member of the finance committee and chairman of the committee on the Asylum for the Insane. Mr. Turner was greatly interested educational interests of Lansing, having been one of the founders of the first Union school in the city, and also of the Michigan Female College. Upon the organization of the board of edcuation in 1851 he was elected member, and held the position during life. His business ability, umimpeachable honor, and integrity gave him a financial power in carrying forward great public works which few men in the State possessed. He was a warm friend of the temperance cause and an earnest Christian. He was an active member and supporter of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and for ninteen years was superintendent of the Sabbath-school. In politics he was identified with the Republican party from its organization. He married, Oct. 1, 1843, Miss Marian Monroe, daughter of Jesse Monroe, of Eagle, Clinton Co., Mich. Ten children were born to them. Mr. Turner died at his home in Lansing, Oct. 10, 1869. The board of directors of the Jackson, Lansing and Saginaw Railroad passed a series of resolutions expressive of their regret at his death, among which was the following: "As one originators and managers of the public improvements placed under the charge of this board of directors, this company and the communities benefited by the construction of the Jackson, Lansing, and Saginaw Railroad owe the decased a debt of lasting gratitude for his early, earnest, unyeilding, and well-directed efforts in behalf of this enterprise: for his perserving industry and sterling integrity; for the wisdom of his counsels and the vigor of his execution." Mr. Turner was a man of commanding personal appearance, being six feet four inches in height and well proportioned, weighing two hundred and forty-five pounds. He possessed great strength and remarkable powers of endurance. He was kind-hearted and benevolent to a fault, and a real friend and helper to the poor.
Taken from: "History of Ingham and Eaton Counties Michigan, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Their Prominent Men and Pioneers", by Samuel W. Durant.
Published by D. W. Ensign & Co., 1880.
Sondra Higbee