Biographical Sketch of Henry Turner, Lafayette County, Missouri >From "History of Lafayette County, Mo., carefully written and compiled from the most authentic official and private sources" St. Louis, Mo. Historical Company, 1881. ********************************************************************** Henry Turner, was born near Salisbury, in Wiltshire, England, August 25, 1810. Married Miss Mary Whitlock at Wilton Parish, May 21, 1833. Miss Whitlock was born March 22, 1806. Mr. Turner's business in England was keeping an ale brewery and hostlery, (hotel). He was a member of the Anti Corn Law League, and was associated with Richard Cobden, John Bright and others, in that memorable agitation which forms a waymark in modern English history. From about 1846 onward, England was flooded with emig- ration pamphlets, newspapers, circulars, etc., offering great inducements for everybody to emigrate to America. He cannot tell why, but for some reason, he picked out Lexington, Missouri, as the place he would go to and try his fortune in the new world. Seventeen families of them clubbed together and chartered a ship in 1849 to carry them to Canada, as they wished to avoid the United States seaports, from fear of cholera. They came by way of Quebec, Montreal, Buffalo, and the lakes, arriving at Chicago in June, 1849. He went from Chicago to La Salle by railroad, thence to St. Louis by steamboat, and thence to Lexington, by same means, arriving here in July, a total stranger to every living soul and to the ways of the people. Two or three others of the English families came here also, but did not find things agreeable, and in a few months went back to their native Isle. Mr. Turner determined to stay and "tough it through." In 1858, he was elected a member of the city council and con- tinued there eight years; then was mayor one year, then city attorney one year, and subsequently served nine years as city treasurer, 1872 to 1881. March 14, 1865 he was commissioned captain and assistant quartermaster of state militia, by Gov. Fletcher. July 19, 1865, he was commissioned by President Andrew Johnson as assistant United States assessor, 2nd divi- sion of 6th district of Missouri, and was in the service about six years, or until the internal revenue tax was abolished. During this time he received a letter from his superior officer which speaks volumes for his integrity, efficiency and success as a public officer. The letter is here given: "United States Internal Revenue, Assessor's Office, 6th Dist. Mo., Kansas City, March 30, 1870. Mr. Henry Turner, U. S. Asst. Assessor, Lexington, Mo.: Dear Sir, Please accept my thanks for the excellent manner in which you have gotten up your annual list for 1870. It is perfect in every respect, is the first to reach this office, represents every town in your division, and is within a fraction of double amount that for the year 1869. With such officers, the government cannot long remain in debt. I hope that you may return many more such favors to the government. I have the honor, sir, to remain, Yours, etc. Joshua Thorne, Assessor 6th District, Missouri. Mr. Turner naturally feels proud of this, and many other evidences which prove that he has been faithful and true in every public trust. Mrs. Turner died at Lex- ington, May 21, 1880, aged 74 years and two months. Their children were as follows: Isabelle and Phebe (twins), born at Wilton, England, March 14, 1834. Isabella married Washington Zingling, of Lexington, Mo., now deceased. Phebe married Henry Switzer, of Lexington, now of Kansas City. Shed died in 1865. Mary Jane, born April 22, 1838; married George Matthew, of Dover township, Lafayette county. Emma Elizabeth, born Oct. 24, 1839; married Henry Taubman, of Lexington, now deceased. Henry William, born August 2, 1841; married Miss Fleta Carroll, of Lexington, and is now serving his second term as postmaster. Edwin, born November 9, 1843; not married. Anna, born March 15, 1846; married S. S. Earle, of Lexington. All of the above children were born to Mr. and Mrs. Turner, at Wilton, in England. Josephene was born at Richmond, in Ray county, August 19, 1849. She married Mr. Switzer, of Kansas City, former husband of her deceased sister Phebe; and she died in April, 1880. Mr. Turner has 32 grandchildren now living, and four have died. ==================================================================== USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. 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