Calhoun County Georgia Biographies - Rev. Henry Turner 1859 - 1928 ********************************************************************************************** USGENWEB ARCHIVES NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. The submitter has given permission to the USGenWeb Archives to store the file permanently for free access. http://www.usgwarchives.net ********************************************************************************************** This file contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by Charlene Parker" Sep 2002 From "History of Bethel Association Including Centennial Meeting", by Alexander Lee Miller Brother Henry Turner was one of the most prominent citizens Calhoun County or the City of Edison ever had. He was most active in both public and private life and was an educational and religious leader who was trusted and followed by the people of the county and town in which he lived. He was recognized leader of his church from the day it was organized until his death. Brother Turner was born May 24th, 1859 on a farm about three miles from Edison. His parents were Joseph and Jane Turner. He resided in or within three miles of Edison all his life. He died January 4th, 1928. His religious work began in 1875 when he joined Salem Church. In 1883 he was ordained a Deacon of this church and was elected Sunday School Superintendent April 23rd, 1892 and continued as Superintendent and Deacon until April 23rd, 1903 when he was granted his letter to aid in organizing the Edison Missionary Baptist Church in Edison. He was made Chairman of the first building Committee. On May 3rd, 1903 he was made chairman of the decorum committee. He was also requested to inform the first Pastor of his call. On May 16th, 1903 he was unanimously elected the first and only deacon. He was also elected Superintendent of the Sunday School as this conference and served continually at this post until his death. We have never known a motion by him in either the Sunday School or church to fail of passage. He was the moral, financial, and spiritual leader of the church. When the time came once a month to pay the Pastor of the church, he paid the full amount to the Pastor and later collected what he could. When dissention or trouble arose, it was Brother Turner who harmonized the various factions or parties. He was known as the "Peacemaker." When important questions for the church were to be solved, it was Brother Turner to whom the people turned and they followed his advice consistently. He was father, advisor, and peacemaker of his church from its organization until his death. He was among the organizers of the Edison Public School System and remained a trustee and leader until he resigned in 1909. The people of the County honored him with the office of County Commissioner for a number of terms and he was a power in the affairs of the county. Edison was honored by having him as mayor or Councilman for many terms. So well did he perform the duties of the different offices he held that he never had opposition at any election. No man has ever left a more wholesome influence upon this town and community than this noble courageous Christian character. In closing we may say, "He needs no towering shaft wrought by cunning hands to perpetuate his memory--for his name is his fame and his glory will live on and on forever in the hearts of men." 1920 Calhoun Co. Ga page 271 29- Joe B. Turner 86 Ga Ga Ga head Jane 84 NC NC NC wife Elizabeth? 40 Ga Ga NC dau Elizabeth Bass 56 Ga NC NC sis-in-law Georgia Death Index Name: Henry Turner Death Date: 04 Jan 1928 Gender: County of Death: Calhoun Certificate: 344-J Age: Name: Mrs Clara A Turner Death Date: 27 Jan 1935 Gender: County of Death: Calhoun Certificate: 5837 Age: Delayed Birth Records Calhoun Co. GA Turner, Thedford (w), born 3 Aug 1897, Calhoun Co., Father: Henry Turner, Calhoun Co.; Mother: Clara Tennille, born Washington Co., Georgia 1st Company L, 25th Regiment Calhoun County "Calhoun Repeaters" http://files.usgwarchives.net/ga/calhoun/military/civilwar/rosters/col25.txt Turner, Joseph Benjamin -- Private - August 20, 1862. Captured at Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia June 19, 1864. Paroled at Camp Morton, Indiana for exchange February 26, 1865. Paroled at Albany, Georgia May 14, 1865. (Born in Burke County, Georgia September 25, 1888.) **note, obviously the birthdate has to be a typist error**