My Genealogy Hound

A. A. Turner, ex-county judge, Warren, Ark. Tennessee has given to Bradley County many estimable citizens, but she has contributed none more highly respected, or for conscientious discharge of duty in every relation of life, more worthy of respect and esteem than the subject of this sketch. He was born on November 10, 1820, in Wilson County, and is the son of James and Kesia (Hunter) Turner, the father a native of Virginia, and the mother of Tennessee. They were married in the last-named State, but emigrated to Arkansas on July 3, 1832, coming through in wagons from Pine Bluff on a trail to Bradley County (then Union County). There were no roads at that day, and nothing but a few trails could be found. There was no settlement between Pine Bluff and the Saline River, and the reason of their coming down as far as they did was from the fact that Capt. Bradley, a relative, was then living there. Mr. Turner located three miles east of Warren, the railroad now running through the old place, and there purchased 160 acres of land; which he immediately began to improve. Besides the little house on the place there was a horse-mill used for grinding corn, the only one then in the county. There were about ten or twelve acres cleared, and after a few years Mr. Turner sold this place and moved about half a mile south, where he died in 1844. The mother died in 1834. By his first marriage he had five children, all of whom are deceased. To the second marriage were also born seven children, four of whom are living: Martha A. Stone (residing in Texas), Judge A. A., Samuel H. and Alexander B. Their marketing was done principally with Simeon Hiley, the father of Mrs. Judge Turner, who came to Arkansas in 1830, and started a little store on the banks of the Saline River, receiving pay from his customers in deer skins, etc. After accumulating a great number of skins he would take them on a keelboat to New Orleans, dispose of them, and in their stead bring back a stock of merchandise. The people had sometimes to buy their salt at Monroe, La., bringing it up in a dugout canoe. Wild game of all kinds was in abundance, and the cabins were always supplied with choice meat, brought down by the unerring aim of the hunters. The schooling facilities were very poor, being taught in log cabins, with split logs for seats and a fireplace in the end of the cabin. James Waters was about the first school teacher in this section, and was an Irishman. They were all subscription schools at $1 or $1.50 a head. Notwithstanding all the hardships undergone, the settlers enjoyed themselves and were peaceful, happy and contented. Our subject was only about twelve years of age when he came to Bradley County, and worked very hard on the farm to assist his father in clearing up the forest. His education, as might be expected, was rather limited, and when twenty-four years of age he was elected circuit clerk, being the second one to fill that position in the county. At the expiration of two years he resigned, as the office paid but little, and during the war he filled the office of justice of the peace two years. Previous to this, in 1841 and 1842, he was postmaster. In 1880 he was elected county judge, and held the office until 1888, when he refused to accept the position again. All this time he has been generally engaged in farming, and has been very successful in this pursuit. He has now divided all his property among his children, and is living a retired life. He cast his first presidential vote for Henry Clay. He was married in 1840 to Miss Drusilla Hiley, daughter of Simeon and Catherine (Wilson) Hiley, both natives of Ohio, and among the first settlers of Arkansas. Mr. and Mrs. Turner have had nine children, only two now living: Florence (wife of Dr. S. M. Davis), and Dudley M. (who married Miss Lucy A. Jones). Mrs. Turner is a member of the Christian Church. The paternal grandfather of our subject was an Englishman, and settled on a little island in Virginia, yet known as Turner’s Island, and there died.