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File contributed to the Fulton County ILGenWeb Project
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Source: The Historical Encyclopedia of Illinois and History of Fulton County
Munsell Publishing Co., Chicago, 1908

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The Biography of Charles Herny TURNER 

Transcribed exactly according to the original complete text by Mary Moeller. 

SURNAMES: Turner, Brooking, Gorham, McGehee, Shirck 

TURNER, Charles Henry, (deceased), the beginning of whose agricultural experience in Fulton County, Ill., was coincident with the early stages of the county's growth, and who was for an extended lifetime one of the most prosperous and prominent farmers within its limits, was born in Corinth, Saratoga County, N.Y., October 3, 1833. He was a son of Samuel and Sallie (Brooking) Turner, who spent the greater portion of their lives in that State, where the father was successfully engaged in farming. They settled in Fulton County, Ill., in the year 1835. Samuel Turner died June 17, 1867, and his wife passed away February 25, 1870, each having attained the age of seventy-one years. To them were born seven children, as follows: Mary J., Thomas, Sarah, Charles H., William, James E. and George A. Charles H. Turner was reared on his father's farm and in boyhood obtained his schooling in an old log schoolhouse in the vicinity of the paternal home. As soon as he reached years of maturity he applied himself to farming on his own responsibility, and continued in that pursuit throughout the remainder of his life. During his early manhood he spent some time in California. He was a very energetic and thorough farmer and a man of unblemished character, commanding the respect and enjoying the confidence of all with whom his transactions brought him into contact in the course of his long and useful career. His landed holdings in Fulton County comprised of 340 acres, all under a high state of cultivation. In 1901 he withdrew from farming operations and spent the remainder of his life in retirement at Canton, Fulton County, where his death occurred January 29, 1906. Mr. Turner was twice married. On February 20, 1867, he was united in matrimony with Delena A. Gorham, who was born October 14, 1835, and died September 26, 1901. The offspring of this union was three children, two of whom are living, namely: Herbert L. and George S., both of whom are engaged in farming in Fulton County. On August 10, 1903, Mr. Turner wedded for his second wife Mrs. Susan A. (McGehee) Shirck, a native of Pennsylvania. The Shircks settled in Illinois during the 'fifties, locating in Peoria County, where Mr. Shirck, who was a mechanic, owned and operated a hub factory. In his political relations Mr. Turner was identified with the Democratic party. Fraternally his affiliation was with the Mutual Aid and the I.O.O.F. Mrs. Turner, who is still residing in Canton, is a woman of high character.