My Genealogy Hound

William Franklin Turner, M. D., of Milltown, Sebastian Co., Ark., is a son of William J. and Mary A. (Nance) Turner, grandson of James Turner, and great-grandson of Jesse Turner, who was born in the “Old North State,” and settled in Stewart County, Tenn., at an early day. He was a soldier in the War of 1812. Both James and his son, William J., were reared in Tennessee. After the latter had reached manhood he went to Benton County, Tenn., where he was married January 9, 1845, to Miss Nance, a native of South Carolina, born in 1824, by whom he became the father of five sons and one daughter. In 1858 his wife died, and the following year he married Hannah A. Lynch, who was born in Benton County, Tenn., October 30, 1829. Six children were also born to this union, three sons and three daughters. Mr. Turner has made farming his chief calling through life, but for two years was deputy sheriff of the county, and served as magistrate of Benton County, Tenn., three terms. In 1877 he moved to Jackson County, Ill., and four years later to Sebastian County, Ark. He has always supported the principles of the Democratic party, is a member of the Masonic fraternity, and during the late war espoused the cause of the Confederacy, and for about six months was on post duty. He was born in Stewart County, Tenn., March 20, 1821, and although sixty-seven years of age is yet strong and healthy. The youngest child by his first wife, William Franklin, was born in Benton County, Tenn., on the 9th of October, 1852, was reared on a farm, and received his literary education in the district and the Camden public schools. When about twenty-two years of age he began teaching school, and after accumulating some means began attending school until he acquired a thorough English education. In 1872 he was wedded to Cornelia E. Elmore, a daughter of William P. Elmore. She was born in Benton County, Tenn., January 16, 1855, and became the mother of five children, three of whom died in infancy. Those living are Clemett W. and Bertha May. The Doctor and his wife came to Sebastian County, Ark., in 1880, but after a short time returned to Tennessee, where he remained until the fall, and again took up his residence in Sebastian County. For about fifteen years he had been engaged in the study of medicine, and in 1884 entered the medical department of the Arkansas Industrial University, and after taking lectures in this institution he began practicing his profession at Milltown, Ark., and has by his own energy and meritorious effort built up a most lucrative and increasing practice. He deserves much credit for the prosperity which has attended his footsteps, as he is essentially a self-made man, and has surmounted many difficulties in his walk through life. He belongs to the Masonic, I. O. O. F., and K. of H. fraternities, and is a Democrat politically. The family attend the Methodist Episcopal Church, South.