Frank Turner Biography


	This biography appears on pages 739-740 in "History of Dakota 
	Territory" by George W. Kingsbury, Vol. V (1915) and was 
	scanned, OCRed and edited by Maurice Krueger, mkrueger@iw.net.

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				FRANK TURNER. 

	Frank Turner, actively engaged in tile general practice of law, 
with offices at Faulkton, was born at Hennepin, Illinois, October 20, 
1859, a son of A. H. and Elizabeth (Nash) Turner. The father was born 
in Fulton, Maine, in 1810, while the mother's birth occurred at Auburn, 
New York, in 1820. In early life the former engaged in the business of 
lumbering, while later he became a stonemason and subsequently gave his 
attention to farming. He removed westward to Illinois about 1840 and in 
that state A. H. Turner devoted his attention to general agricultural 
pursuits throughout his remaining days. His wife went to Illinois with 
her people in pioneer times and on a raft the family floated down the 
Ohio river, for this was before the era of railroad travel. For more 
than thirty years Mr. Turner served as school director in one district 
and he held some local political offices. He was twice married and by 
his first union had five children. By his marriage to Elizabeth Nash 
there were born six children, of whom Frank Turner is the fourth in 
order of birth. The father passed away in 1901, while the mother 
survived only until 1902. 

	Frank Turner pursued his education in the public schools of 
Hennepin, Illinois, and in his youthful days became acquainted with the 
duties and labors that fall to the lot of the farmer. When about 
eighteen years of age he began operating his father's farm in Illinois 
and so continued until 1880. He then went to Ottawa, Illinois, where he 
began reading law with the firm of Blanchard & Blanchard, who directed 
his studies for two and a half years. He arrived in Faulkton, South 
Dakota, in March, 1883, and in that part of the state secured a claim, 
after which he did not engage in law practice to any extent until he 
accepted the office of district attorney. Since then he has followed 
his profession continuously and is now successfully engaged in general 
practice, a liberal clientage being accorded him. In the conduct of his 
cases he displays ability and resourcefulness and is regarded as an 
able lawyer. He is also a landowner, his aggregate holdings embracing 
twenty-five hundred acres of farm land, a part of which he still 
operates, devoting his attention to the raising of grain. 

	On the 22d of January, 1890, Mr. Turner was married to Miss Clara 
Slattery, who was born in Oconto, Wisconsin, a daughter of John and 
Cathryn (Sweeney) Slattery, the former a native of Nova Scotia and the 
latter of Ireland. The father w as a lumber cruiser and did expert work 
in that line, engaging in that business in Wisconsin for many years. He 
still resides in Oconto but his wife passed away there about 1910. Mr. 
and Mrs. Turner have become the parents of five children, Josephine, 
Florence, Hamlin O., Clara E., and Frank B. All have attended school in 
Faulkton and the eldest daughter is now a teacher. 

	Mr. Turner is a prominent Mason, belonging to the lodge and 
chapter at Faulkton and to the commandery at Redfield. He is a past 
master of the lodge and past high priest of the chapter and is an 
exemplary representative of the craft. He belongs also to the Odd 
Fellows lodge at Faulkton, of which he is a past noble grand; the 
Knights of Pythias, in which he has been chancellor commander; the 
Modern Woodmen camp; and the Ancient Order of United Workmen. He also 
holds membership in the Congregational church. His political belief is 
in accord with the principles of the republican party and he was called 
to the office of district attorney in territorial days. In 1890 he was 
elected states attorney, which position he filled for two terms in 
Faulk county. For four years he occupied the mayor's chair in Faulkton 
and was also alderman for several years, and in 1905 became a member of 
the state legislature, so that he has been prominently connected with 
local and state interests. He likewise served on the board of education 
for eight years and in all these connections he has proven loyal to the 
trust reposed in him and capable in the discharge of his duties. His 
record as a public official and a private citizen is above reproach and 
a feeling of warm regard is entertained for him by all who know him.