My Genealogy Hound

Below is a family biography from the book, History of Kentucky, Edition 1 by J. H. Battle, W. H. Perrin and G. C. Kniffin and published by F. A. Battey Publishing Company in 1885.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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WILLIAM R. TURK was born in Henry County, Ky., July 23, 1847, and is the third of seven children born to Thomas R. and Elizabeth (Crisler) Turk, the former a native of Henry County, and the latter of Jefferson County, Ky. Thomas R. Turk in early life removed to Jefferson County, Ky., where he was married and resided a short time, but soon returned to Henry County, where he was engaged in merchandising at Campbellsburg for several years. He then removed to Trimble County, Ky., where he was engaged in agricultural pursuits for some twelve years. In 1858 he came with his wife and family to Ballard County, and bought a farm about half way between Blandville and Bardwell, where he was extensively engaged in farming and the stock business until his death, which occurred August 31, 1870, in his fifty-third year. He was one of the magistrates in Ballard County for several terms. Both himself and wife were for many years members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity. William R. Turk received a good common school education in youth, and was employed on his father’s farm until he attained his majority. He then engaged in agricultural pursuits and stock growing on his own account and continued the same for some three years. In December, 1874, he came to Bardwell, where he, in company with his brother, J. W. Turk, engaged in general merchandising, continuing the same until 1879, when the firm was dissolved. Since that time each brother has continued in business on his own account. During all these years, however, our subject has also been engaged in agricultural pursuits, owning a well improved farm, the old homestead, of some 110 acres. In addition to general merchandising, Mr. Turk is also extensively engaged in the grain, livestock and produce trade at Bardwell. He is yet unmarried. In politics, he is a Democrat.

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This family biography is one of 186 biographies included in the Ballard County, Kentucky section of the book, The History of Kentucky, Edition 1 published in 1885 by F. A. Battey Publishing Company.  For the complete description, click here: History of Kentucky, Edition 1

View additional Ballard County, Kentucky family biographies here: Ballard County, Kentucky Biographies

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