My Genealogy Hound

Samuel H. Turner, farmer, Warren, Ark. Mr. Turner, a respected resident of this county for many years, and a man of extensive and popular acquaintance, was born in Wilson County, Tenn., on April 5, 1823, and was but nine years of age when he came with his parents, James and Kazie (Hunter) Turner, to Arkansas. As might be expected at that early period of the State’s history, our subject’s educational advantages were not of the best, and his youthful days were passed principally in assisting to clear his father’s farm, and in hunting the wild game, with which the woods abounded. He delighted in the latter occupation, and has killed many a deer, panther and wild cat. In 1857 he bought a steam grist-mill from Dr. J. W. Martin, put in machinery for grinding wheat and making flour, and ran the mill until 1866, being detailed to still continue his milling operations during the war. This was one of the first steam-mills in the county, and Mr. Turner operated the same for nine years. In March, 1837, he carried the first mail bags from Cabin post-office to Monroe, La., a distance of 110 miles, with but one house for eighty miles, which was Thumbs Prairie, Ashley County. He had but one letter in the mail bag. He was but fourteen years of age, weight eighty-seven pounds, and as there were no roads, he had to follow an Indian trail through the forest. He carried the mail on this route for sixteen months, and received £1 2d a week, and the salary for contract being $1,400 per annum. Fifteen years of his life were spent in milling, and in 1867 he embarked in the grocery business in Warren. This he continued until 1875, and then returned to milling which he carried on until 1880, since which time he has been practically retired. He was deputy sheriff for two years, and filled this position in an able and efficient manner. He was coroner also for six years. His marriage occurred on August 30, 1846, to Miss Martha Reeves, who bore him ten children, six now living: Henry, Martha (wife of John E. Bradley), Mary (wife of C. S. Wade), Samuel H., Jr., Stephen and Stella. Mr. Turner is a member of the Masonic fraternity and the K. of P. He has been a witness to the rapid growth of Bradley County, and is a substantial and enterprising citizen. His father was a native Virginian, and his mother was born in Tennessee.