TURNEY, Dillon - 1912 Bio (1865-1931)

TURNEY, PARENT, SHIPMAN, SPIELMAN

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 10/3/2007 at 21:34:01

History of Jefferson County, Iowa -- A Record of Settlement, Organization, Progress and Achievement, Vol II, Published 1912, S. J. Clarke Publishing Co., Chicago
Pages 445-447

Dillon TURNEY, active in the industrial circles of Fairfield, is now manager of the wagon manufactory of Joel TURNEY & Company, in which connection he displays marked mechanical still and keen sagacity. He was born in Trenton, Iowa, October 10, 1865, a son of Joel and Sarah M. (PARENT) TURNEY. The father, who was born in 1826, learned the wagon-maker's trade at Columbus, Ohio, and in 1844 came to Iowa, settling at Trenton, where he followed his trade, conducting both a blacksmith and wagon-making business. There he remained until 1888 when he removed to Fairfield, establishing the business now conducted under the firm style of Joel TURNEY & Company. He was one of the oldest if not the oldest wagon-maker in this state at the time of his death, having begun the manufacture of wagons in Iowa in 1852. In 1888 he built a factory in Fairfield and following its destruction by fire in 1897 at once rebuilt and was closely associated with the business until his death, which occurred in 1905 when he had reached the venerable age of seventy-nine years. His name is still retained in the firm style, in recognition of the important part which he played in buidling up this enterprise, which is regarded today as one of the most important industral undertakings of the county. Joel TURNEY developed the business from a small beginning and deserves much credit for what he accomplished as he arrived in Iowa with a cash capital of but fifty dollars. Later he borrowed some money of an uncle and established his wagon shop in the '40s, doing a large amount of repair work for emigrants who were en route for California between the years 1849 and 1852. He carefully saved his earnings and when his economical expenditure had brought him sufficient capital he began the manufacture of wagons in 1852 and for more than half a century continued in the business which gradually developed until it assumed large proportions. His widow, who is still a resident of Fairfield, was born in Indiana, October 6, 1831, and in 1838 was brought to Iowa where she has since made her home. Unto Mr. and Mrs. TURNEY were born five children of whom two daughters died in infancy, while Clayton died in 1886 at the age of twenty-seven years. Another son, Ellsworth, born in 1856, is one of the prominent residents of Fairfield.

Dillon TURNEY, who completes the family, spent his youthful days under the parental roof at Trenton and supplemented his common school education by a course in business college. He then entered his father's wagon factory and thoroughly mastered the business in principle and detail. In 1888 when twenty-three years of age he came with his parents to Fairfield and continued as his father's assistant in the wagon manufactory until 1905, when upon his father's death he assumed the management of the business which is now carried on under his direction. His long experience well qualified him for the onerous duties that devolved upon him. He is today at the head of an enterprise that uses a plant containing ninety-eight thousand square feet of floor space. There are brick buildings one and two stories in height and a two-story brick warehouse. At times employment is given to one hundred workmen and the capacity is about six thousand wagons annually. They manufacture the Charter Oak and Fairfield wagons and are also builders of bobsleds. The business has grown steadily along substantial lines and under the direction of Dillon TURNEY the output has been steadily increased to meet the increasing demand of the trade. In addition to his efforts in this connection he is a director of the Iowa State Savings Bank and of the Farmers Savings Bank of Packwood.

In 1894 Mr. TURNEY was united in marriage to Miss Louise Bella SHIPMAN, a native of Fairfield and a daughter of Captain John A. SHIPMAN. They have two children, Kathryn Louise and Margaret Christine. Mr. TURNEY belongs to the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks and to the Royal Arcanum. He is president of Company M, Armory Company. He is likewise secretary of the board of trustees of the Jefferson County Hospital and is in sympathy with various benevolent projects and with progressive movements that have for their object the welfare and upbuilding of the community. While the greater part of his attention has been concentrated upon his business interests he has hever been remiss in the duties of his citizenship.

*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

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Update: August 6, 2009 ~~
Kathryn TURNEY ALLEN, granddaughter of Dillon TURNEY, states her grandmother's maiden name was not SHIPMAN, but SPIELMAN. This has been verified with the Jefferson County Genealogical Society. Dillon TURNEY, wife Bella SPIELMAN TURNEY, and their daughter Margaret TURNEY are all buried in Evergreen Cemetery, in the Third Addition, Lot 76.
-J.S., Admin.