Portrait and Biographical Album of Fulton County,
Illinois: containing full page portraits and biographical sketches of
prominent and representative citizens of the county: together with
portraits and biographies of all the presidents of the United States,
and governors of the state; Biographical Pub. Co., Chicago, IL; 1890;
page 584 &589; Transcribed by Margaret Rose Whitehurst
Benjamin F. Turner belongs to that class of agriculturists whose
efforts make of this county the garden spot of Illinois. He is a
comparatively young man, having been born in 1850, and has spent his
life in this county. He worked on his father’s farm until 1886
when he established a home of his own on section 6, Banner Township,
where he has one hundred acres of fine land, well improved with good
buildings of various kinds, fences, orchards, etc. His land is
thoroughly tilled, produces abundantly and the crops are of excellent
quality.
The attractive home of our subject is presided over by a capable
housewife, formerly known as Miss Ettie Tucker. She is a daughter
of James Tucker of this county, was well reared and educated, carefully
instructed in the principles of life and in womanly attainments.
She became the wife of our subject March 15, 1877, and has borne him
three children – Della, Nellie and Rose.
Mr. Turner is a believer in and a supporter of the principles of
the Republican party. Well informed regarding topics of general
interest, enterprising in business and honorable in his dealings with
his fellow-men, he is regarded with respect as a worthy citizen and
stanch friend.
The parents of our subject, James and Sarah A. Turner, were
early settlers in this county, having located in Buckheart Township in
the ‘30s. The old church in their neighborhood is still known as
Turner’s Church. The father breathed his last December 13, 1886,
but the mother is still living at a ripe old age. Their family
consists of eight children besides our subject – Henry F., married
Charlotte Weller and lives in Dakota; Mary, married B. F. Duryea and
lives in this county; William P., married Elizabeth Ketchum, his home
being in Banner Township; Louisa married George Duryea and lives in
Stark County; Eliza is the wife of W. H. Williams, her home also being
in Stark County; Ella is the wife of George W. Anderson, they home
being in Los Angeles, Cal.; Alice married Harvey Burhans and lives in
this county; Joseph V. Married Lizzie Early, his home being at Hopkins,
Mo.
