From "Biographical Memoirs of Wells County, Indiana," 1903, pp. 183-184.

GEORGE TURNER.

The subject of this sketch, who was born January 22, 1858, is a son of James Turner, a native of Greene county, Ohio, and Mary (Arnold) Turner, a native of Darke county, the same state, and was born in Jackson township, Wells county, on the farm on which he now resides. James, the father, was a son of Jonathan and Polly Turner, natives of Ohio, the latter a daughter of Samuel B. and Mary Arnold, and of Irish descent, while her husband's ancestors were English. They both died in Wells county. James Turner came with his parents to Wells county in an early day and settled in Chester township on the farm now owned by Simeon Crosby, where they resided until they died. Jonathan Turner was the father of five children, two of which are yet living: James, deceased, father of the subject; George, deceased; Catherine, deceased, who was the wife of Jesse Thomas, of Chester Center, Wells county; Margerie, the wife of Isaac Gray, now a resident of the state of New York; Tilda, the wife of Milton Shields. James Turner, the father of the subject, was married to Mary Arnold and settled on a farm in Chester township and began as a farmer, but after two years they removed to Montpelier, Indiana, where he learned the blacksmithing trade. Grandfather Arnold, who was of German descent, was born in New York state, while his wife, who was of English descent, was a native of Maryland. After working at his trade for about twelve years he traded a horse for forty acres of land in the woods and returned to Wells county. Here he followed farming until his death, which occurred in September, 1880, on the farm where his widow yet lives. James Turner was the father of five children, two of whom are yet living, the subject and twin sister, Barbara. Mary E. died in early childhood; Susanna, deceased, was the wife of I. N. Perry, and Eli, who died at the age of two years.

The subject attended the public schools of Montpelier and Jackson township, Wells county until he was seventeen years old, after which he remained with and worked for his father until he was twenty-one years of age. He then got married and commenced work on the home place, his father furnishing seed, teams and implements, giving George one-third of the crops. He farmed in this way for about six years, when he bought the stock and implements, after which he received two-thirds of the products of the farm, and thus continued to work until his father's death. He now owns an eighty-acre farm of fine land (the old home place), about sixty of which is in a high state of cultivation.

Mr. Turner is one of the lucky ones who have struck oil. His farm, being in the "belt," now contains ten producing wells, from which he derives a profit of about one hundred and forty dollars per month, and this number will be increased by three or four additional wells a hell his farm is fully developed in that line. He now has one well to each five acres. He has devoted his whole life to farming and breeding of fine stock, as his well cultivated farm and herds of Poland China hogs, Durham cattle and Shropshire sheep attest.

The subject of this sketch has been twice married, his first wife being Eva Krise, a daughter of Isaac and Janie Krise, who died after two years of married life, leaving a son, Charles Albert, six months old. This son married Miss Pearl Booher and is now an oil worker in Grant county. For his second wife Mr. Turner married Sarah J. Saxon, a daughter of James and Sarepta (Boyles) Saxon. To this union ten children were born, nine of whom are now living: Eva E. married Frederick Ice and is the mother of one child, Carrie; James H., an oil worker; Mary M., at home; Emma I., at home; Margaret; Francis M., at home; Sarah M., at home; George W., deceased; Harmon, at home, and John D. As an instance of the success attending a definite purpose and well directed efforts in life, the subject of this sketch is a living example. He is a worthy descendant of one of the hardy pioneers who pushed on to aid in reclaiming the wilderness and found a home in the west. He has lived to see and enjoy the full fruition of the labors and hopes of the early settlers and he received as the reward of his own labor a well merited prosperity. He is now in the possession of a pleasant home, a competency for his declining years, surrounded by sons and daughters whose future achievements shall add honor to his name. His wife is a member of the Disciples church and he contributes liberally of his means to the cause. Politically the subject is a Democrat, which ticket he has voted since his majority with the exception of the first, which he cast for James A. Garfield for President. He is a close reader and takes some interest in the party campaigns, but devotes his time principally to his farming interests.