- CHARLES G. TURNEY, millwright, of Beloit, Wis., is a native
of Connecticut, and was born in
- Bridgeport, on the 4th day of January, 1825. His parents,
Seth D. and Narcissa (BRISCOE) TURNEY, were natives of Fairfield
Co., Conn., the former born Jan. 26, 1790, and the latter March
24, 1790. Their marriage was celebrated in their native county,
where five children were born unto them, four of whom are now
living: Mary A., who resides in Greenwood County, Kansas, is
the widow of William C. HURD; Rebecca, deceased; Charles G.,
of this sketch; Olive A., widow of Dr. E. W. STEVENS, who is
numbered among the early settlers of this county and was for
many years a prominent physician; Edward N., a leading and prosperous
business man of Greenwood, Kansas. In 1841 Seth TURNEY, accompanied
by his family emigrated to the Far West, locating at Durand,
Winnebago Co., Ill., which was then a wild and unsettled country.
He there entered a claim and transformed the virgin soil into
a fine farm, upon which he resided until 1874. In that year
his wife died. He was again marred to Miss KINCAID, and soon
after removed to Rockton, Ill., where his death occurred July
27, 1880. He was a man who commanded and received the respect
of all who knew him, and on his death the community in which
he resided lost a valued citizen.
- Our subject was educated in the common schools and reared
to farm life. He remained under the
- parental roof until attaining his majority, when he started
out in life for himself. He further completed his arrangements
for a home by securing as its mistress Miss Cornelia E. SMITH,
a native of Ashtabula County, Ohio, and a daughter of Ira SMITH,
and in 1848 their marriage was celebrated. At the breaking out
of the late war in 1861, Mr. TURNEY was among the first to respond
to the country's call for troops, enlisting in the 55th Illinois
Infantry, and was mustered into service at Camp Douglas, Chicago.
About the middle of December of the same year his regiment was
ordered to St. Louis, and thence to Pittsburgh Landing, at which
battle it displayed great bravery. It formed a part of Stewart's
Brigade, being stationed on the extreme left, and had to contend
against the forces of Jackson, Bragg and Chalmers, who outnumbered
them five to one. The brigade held their line from eleven o'clock
in the morning until half past three, when they were relieved
by the gunboats. Had it not been for the valiant little band
who bravely resisted the enemy though greatly outnumbered, the
whole Union forces would probably have been defeated. In this
engagement Mr. TURNEY was severely wounded. Twice a Rebel bullet
pierced his right leg near the knee, another struck his left
leg, two buckshots were lodged in his wrist and arm, a bayonet
was thrust through is foot, and he was struck across the back
with a saber. After being wounded he worked his way back to
the ambulance at the landing and by boat proceeded to Savannah,
Ga., where he remained in the hospital for twenty-one days.
He was then sent to Camp Dennison, Ohio, and on the 28th day
of January, 1863, was mustered out of service on account of his
wounds.
- Returning to his home in Illinois, Mr. TURNEY resumed the
trade of a millwright, which he has
- since followed. For several years he continued to reside
at Durand, when in 1875, he went to Greenwood, Kansas, with the
intention of locating. Not being pleased with the town he went
to Barber County, Kansas, where he entered and partially improved
a claim. In 1880 he was called upon to mourn the loss of his
wife, whose death occurred on the 4th day of February. She was
a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a sincere Christian
lady. The children of that marriage were Martha, now the wife
of Ira DECKER, of Durand, Ill.; Edward N., of Beloit; Alfred
C., a resident of Beloit, Wis.; Oscar H., of Beloit; and Charles
A., whose home is in Custer County, Col.
- After the death of his wife Mr. TURNEY sold his farm and
removed to Medicine Lodge, the
- county seat of Barber County, where he remained until 1883,
when he came to Beloit. On the 3d day of November of the same
year, he was again married, his second union being with Mrs.
Harriet ANDREWS, widow of J. P. ANDREWS and daughter of James
and Lizzie (RICE) PITTS. Socially, Mr. TURNEY is a member of
the G.A.R. Post and also belongs to the Masonic fraternity and
Independent Order of Oddfellows. He has filled all the offices
in the latter lodge and has represented the organization to which
he belongs in the Grand Lodge several times. He is a respected
citizen of Beloit, and though his residence dates back but little
more than five years he has gained a large circle of warm friends.
-
- Taken from "The Portrait and Biographical Album of
Rock County, Wis." (c)1889, pp. 966-967.
-
- Courtesy of Carol
|