Dillon TURNEY 1865-1931

TURNEY, SPIELMAN, NAINES, WHITING

Posted By: Richard K Thompson (email)
Date: 8/17/2009 at 21:24:46

Fairfield Daily Ledger
Thursday, May, 28, 1931

Dillon TURNEY Dies Suddenly At Home Here

PROMINENT IN BUSINESS AND CIVIC AFFAIRS

Death Caused By Cerebal Hemorrhage; Was 65 Years Old

Dillon TURNEY, owner of the Turney Wagon factory of Fairfield and for many years a prominent citizen of Fairfield passed away very suddenly at his home here at 405 East Burlington street at 7:30 o'clock this morning. His death was caused by a cerebral hemorrhage, and came quite without warning.

Last evening Mr. TURNEY was in his usual good health. He ate his dinner and retired without any indication of his approaching death.

Active In Business

Mr. TURNEY was active in the industrial circles of Fairfield. He was manager of the wagon manufacturing company of Joel TURNEY and company, in which connection he displayed marked mechanical skill and keen sagacity. He was born in Trenton, Iowa, October 10, 1865, a son of Joel and Sarah TURNEY. The father, who was born in 1826, learned the wagonmaker'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 name of Joel Turney and Company. He was one of the oldest, if not the oldest wagonmaker in thiis 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 age of seventy-nine years. His name is still retained by the firm in recognition of the important part which he played in building us this enterprise.

Born at Trenton

Dillon TURNEY spent his youth in the family home at Trenton and supplemented his public school education with a course in a business college. He then entered his father's wagon factory and thoroughly mastered the business in principle and detail. In 1888, when 23 years of age, he came to Fairfield with his parents and continued as his father's assistant in the manufacture of wagons.

Later, when he assumed charge of the factory he developed the business until it occupied a plant containing 98,000 square feet of floor space and manufacturing over 6,000 wagons annually. The company made the Charter Oak and Fairfield wagons and also made a number of bobsleds.

In addition to his duties at the wagon works, Mr. TURNEY was engaged in a number of other business enterprises. He was a director of the First National Savings bank of Fairfield and of the Farmers Savings bank of Packwood. He was president of the Company M Armory corporation. He is secretary of the board of trustees of the Jefferson county hospital. He was for many years secretary of the Iowa State Manufacturers Association.

Three Children

In 1894 Mr. TURNEY was united in marriage to Miss Louise Bella SPIELMAN, a native of Fairfield and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.A. SPIELMAN. To this union were born three children Kathryn Louise, now Mrs. William NAINES of the city, Margaret Christine and Dillon S. Jr. Dillon, Jr., a Fairfield High school student is the only one of the three now living at home Margaret Christine having passed away some years ago, 1912.

Mr. TURNEY has long been known for his keen interest in and support of Fairfield civic improvement. He was always ready to take part in anything he believed helpful to the community, and devoted a great deal of time in public service.

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Fairfield Daily Ledger
Tuesday June 2, 1931

PAY TRIBUTE TO DILLON TURNEY

Last Rites for Prominent Fairfield Man Were Held Sunday

Many relatives and friends paid tribute to the memory of Dillon TURNEY, who died suddenly Thursday morning at the funeral services held from the home 405 East Burlington street, Sunday afternoon at 4 o'clock. Dr. H.C. WHITING assisted by Dr. W.F. Rex officiated at the impressive services.

The casket was banked with flowers and many others were placed in baskets and vases over the house. Mrs. Paul Stoltz of Ottumwa sang the songs and she was accompanied by Mrs. Frank Pierson. Prof. J.P. Moorhead played preceding and after the services. The casket attendants were J.H. Nontgomery, W.H. Bangs, C.H. (sic. ?), Frank Ricksher and A.G. Jordan of Fairfield and J. Wallbank of Mr. Pleasant. Services at the grave were private.

Mrs. A.G. Jordan, Mrs. George Bonfield,Mrs. J. H. Montgomery and Miss Elizabeth TURNEY assisted in arranging the flowere and the seating of friends at the home. Harvey Hunt, George Bonfield, Scott Jordan and Lee Gobble were in charge of the flowers at the cemetery.

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