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TURNER, WILLIAM P., a retired farmer living Springfield, Ill., was born in Hamilton County, Tenn., September 11, 1847. He is a son of William J. and Charlotte (Temple) Turner, the father born in South Carolina, in 1823, and the mother in Tennessee, in 1825, his parents being natives of Ireland and hers of Germany. William J. Turner moved from Tennessee to Georgia in 1848 and in 1859 returned to Tennessee, entering the army from that State and serving in the Civil War. He was a miller by occupation.
William P. Turner received his education in subscription schools in his native State and was reared on a farm. He has spent most of his active life in farming and has been successful in this line. He accompanied his parents to Cass County, Ga., and returned with them to Tennessee, and in 1865 moved to Richland County, Ill., where he lived until 1869, and there his parents died. In 1881 he engaged in teaming in Springfield and continued until he retired from active life. He is well known as an upright and honest citizen and is respected by all who have had dealings with him. He owns the home he has occupied for the past thirteen years, at 919 South Thirteenth Street.
Mr. Turner enlisted at Chattanooga, December 24, 1863, under Alfred F. Beach, in Company A. First Tennessee Light Artillery, and was discharged at Nashville, August 8, 1865. He spent six months in a hospital and had many narrow escapes. Among the engagements in which he participated were those of Missionary Ridge, Franklin, Huntsville (Ala.), and numerous others. He won an excellent record and is a member of G.A.R.
Mr. Turner was married in Edwards County, Ill., December 16, 1866, to Miss Emily McKinzie, a native of that county, born November 11, 1849, daughter of Daniel and Rhody (Coppley) McKinzie. Her father was born in Virginia, in 1790, and her mother in Giles County, Va., in 1804, and both grandfathers served in the Indian wars. Eleven children were born of this union, namely: William E., born in Edwards County, Ill., October 30, 1867; Henry M., in Texas County, Mo., February 6, 1870; Cicero, born in Arkansas, November 10, 1872; Martha C., born in Arkansas, December 27, 1874, died August 10, 1876; Artia M., born in Richland County, Ill., February 19, 1877, died August 4, 1878; Bertha, born in Richland County, February 8, 1879; Luricca, born in Richland County, July 3, 1881, died April 19, 1909; Inez, born in Bond County, October 5, 1883, died January 12, 1902; Lizzie, born in Bond County, January 27, 1886, died January 15, 1890; Nellie, born in Bond County, September 4, 1888; Ethel, born in Springfield, April 26, 1891. William E. Turner married Della Friend and they reside at Rochester, N.Y. Henry M. married Cynthia Gaines and they reside in Springfield and have two children, Clarence and Tessie. Cicero married Pearl Gomes and resides in Springfield, and has three children - Gerald, Louis, and William. Bertha, wife of Fred Bronson, resides in Springfield and they have one child, Edgar. Luricca (deceased), wife of James Henman, left one child, Earl. Inez (deceased), wife of Charles Hubbar, had one child, Inez. Nellie, wife of Joseph F. Rice, resides in Springfield, had one child, Joseph F. Jr. Mr. Turner is a Republican in politics and although he takes an active interest in the public welfare, has never aspired to public office. He is a devout member of the Christian Church. He carries insurance in the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company.