James P. Turner Biography


	This biography appears on pages 1071-1072 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. IV (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				JAMES P. TURNER. 

	James P. Turner is conducting a general blacksmithing and 
woodworking establishment and general repair shop at Faulkton and is 
thus closely associated with industrial activity there. He was born in 
Elgin county, Ontario, Canada, December 1, 1858, a son of James and 
Mary (Jardine) Turner, natives of Scotland, the mother being but a 
young girl when the family removed to Canada. The father was about 
twenty-five years of age when he became a resident of that country. In 
the land of hills and heather he had previously learned the carpenter's 
trade and in the new world he carried on contracting and building until 
his death, which occurred in March, 1864, when his son James was about 
five years of age. In the fall of 1893 the mother came to the United 
States and now resides with her son in Faulkton. 

	The family numbered five children, of whom James P. Turner is the 
third in order of birth. He attended the public schools of Canada and 
at the age of nineteen years began learning the blacksmith's trade, at 
which he served a four years, apprenticeship. In 1883 he came to Dakota 
territory and worked in Watertown for a year, removing thence in the 
spring of 1884 to Faulk county. He opened a shop at La Foon, then the 
county seat, and he was one of the first to establish a blacksmithing 
business in Faulkton when the county seat was removed to that place. He 
has continuously engaged in blacksmithing there save while he served as 
postmaster, and he is now operating a general repair shop and doing 
both blacksmithing and woodworking, having a well equipped plant. He is 
likewise proprietor of the leading drug store in Faulkton, which is 
being managed by his son, Hugh A., while the father devotes his entire 
attention to industrial pursuits. 

	On the 3d of February, 1887, Mr. Turner was united in marriage to 
Miss Belle K. Puntine, a native of Ontario, Canada, and a daughter of 
John and Margaret (McDonald) Puntine, who have passed away. To Mr. and 
Mrs. Turner were born five children, as follows: Jessie A., who is the 
wife of E. E. Aaron, a ranchman residing at Billings, Montana; Hugh A., 
who is engaged in the drug business at Faulkton; Frank A., who resides 
at home and has pursued a course in civil engineering at the South 
Dakota State School of Mines at Rapid City; and Muriel B. and Charles 
J., both of whom are attending school and are still at home. The wife 
and mother passed away December 15, 1900, and her death was deeply 
regretted by her many friends. 

	Mr. Turner is well known in Masonic circles, holding membership 
in the lodge and chapter of Faulkton, being a past master of the 
former, while in the latter he has served as high priest. He has 
attained the Knight Templar degree in Redfield Commandery and he is 
ever most loyal to the teachings of the craft. At the present writing 
he is serving as secretary of both the lodge and chapter. He also 
belongs to the Ancient Order of United Workmen, the Modern Brotherhood 
of America and the Modern Woodmen of America. In his religious belief 
he is a Baptist, while his political faith is that of the republican 
party. He is recognized as one of its prominent representatives in 
Faulk county and he served as postmaster of Faulkton under the 
administration of President Taft. He was also called to the office of 
mayor and then after being out of the position for a time was reelected 
and is serving for the second year as chief executive of the city, to 
which he gives a businesslike and progressive administration. He has 
been a member of the board of education for a number of years, is a 
director of the Providence Hospital and lends hearty aid and 
cooperation to all movements that are of value and worth to the city.