My Genealogy Hound

CHARLES L. TURNER. A number of the finest farms of Pettis County lie near the county seat, their value being enhanced by the desirability of their situation. One of these is owned by Mr. Turner, and is located on section 1, township 45, range 21, three miles west of Sedalia. It consists of four hundred and forty-eight acres of land, under an excellent state of cultivation and bearing the very best improvements. It has been the home of the present owner since the spring of 1885, and under his able supervision has been made a first-class farm.

The Turner family was represented among the pioneer settlers both of Kentucky and Missouri. The grandfather of our subject, Charles L., was a native of Kentucky, but removed thence to Missouri and settled in Marion County in 1818. By occupation he was a farmer, but much of his time was devoted to the ministry of the Baptist Church. He served in the War of 1812, and after his death his widow was given a pension by the Government. Politically he advocated Democratic principles. He was a large land-owner and slave-holder, and was one of the most prosperous men of his county. Twice married, he had four children by his first union and six by his second marriage. To his sons and daughters he gave the best advantages the schools of that day afforded, and one of his sons became a physician and another a minister.

A short distance from the city of Hannibal, Marion County, Mo., our subject’s father, also named Charles L., was born December 22, 1822, being one of the first white children born in that county. After some years devoted to his studies, he taught school for a time, and then transferred his attention to farm work. February 22, 1849, he married Miss Harriet McReynolds, and there were born unto them eight children, of whom three died in infancy. The eldest surviving son is John, who lives in Marion County, is married and has five children. Samuel H., also a resident of Marion County, is married and has two children. Our subject is next in order of birth. Orion, a resident of Marion County, is married and has one child. Josephine, the only daughter, lives with her mother in Marion County. The father of these children died July 16, 1865, and his widow subsequently became the wife of John C. Shinier, by whom she had one child.

Five miles from Hannibal, Mo., and within two miles of the birthplace of his father, the subject of this notice was born February 7, 1857. At an early age he entered the district schools of the neighborhood, his first teacher being his father. His studies were continued until the age of eighteen in the common schools, and so favorable was his progress that he was urged by his teacher to adopt that profession for his life work. Wishing to extend his fund of knowledge, he entered Ingleside College at Palmyra, Mo., when twenty years old, and there prosecuted his studies for a year. At the age of twenty-two he began to teach, and for two winter terms had charge of the schools in the house where he had been a pupil in boyhood.

Upon attaining his majority our subject was given a horse by his stepfather, in return for services rendered him. He then bought another horse, rented a tract of land, and commenced the task of cultivating the soil. Being energetic, economical and persevering, he saved his money, until at the time of his marriage he had $2,000. February 7, 1883, he married Miss Belle Haggard, who was born in Pettis County, Mo., February 3, 1857. Her parents, Andrew and Mary (Lewis) Haggard, were born, reared and married in Kentucky, and moved thence to Missouri in 1835, becoming pioneers of Pettis County. She received an excellent education and taught school for one year prior to her marriage. While on a visit to Ralls County, Mo., she became acquainted with Mr. Turner, and their union has been one of mutual helpfulness and happiness.

After his marriage Mr. Turner erected a house on land bequeathed him by his father, and there he made his home for two years. In the spring of 1885 he moved to his present farm, where he expects to reside permanently. Following in the footsteps of his father, he is a stanch advocate of the Democracy, and of the old Jeffersonian principles of free trade. His first Presidential ballot was cast for General Hancock. For six years he was identified with the Ancient Order of United Workmen, but otherwise has had no connection with any secret organization. The three children comprising his family are as follows: Jessie May, who was born in Marion County, Mo., August 27, 1884, and is now in school; Charles Emmett, who was born in Pettis County June 30, 1886; and Orion Haggard, whose birth occurred in Pettis County, December 4, 1889.