TURNER, Samuel Berry 1837 - 1932

TURNER, MONTGOMERY, SWOPE, CASE

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 10/27/2011 at 12:02:45

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Monday, January 25, 1932
Front Page, Columns 1 & 2

S. B. TURNER, WAR VETERAN, IS SUMMONED
Widely Known Fairfield Resident Passed Away Early This Morning

Samuel Berry TURNER, 94, widely known as one of the oldest continuous residents of Jefferson county, passed away at 7 o'clock this morning at his home, 107 West Briggs street, after an illness of about two months. He is also well known in Henry and Lee counties.

Funeral services will be held at 1:30 o'clock Wednesday afternoon from the Hoskins Funeral Home in charge of Rev. S. P. Williamson of the First Christian church. He will be assisted by Dr. W. F. Rex of the First Lutheran church and Clinton Lodge No. 15, A. F. and A. M.. Interment will take place in Evergreen cemetery.

The body was taken to the Hoskins Funeral Home pending funeral arrangements.

Besides his wife he is survived by three sons, A. C. and James E. TURNER of Fairfield, Wilson G. TURNER of Davenport, and an only granddaughter, Mrs. John MONTGOMERY of Mt. Pleasant. He also leaves one brother, Howard H. TURNER of Miami, Oklahoma.

Samuel B. TURNER was born on a farm near Salem, which was then a part of Jefferson County November 4, 1837, he was the son of Jonathon and Deborah Ann TURNER. Losing his mother at the age of five years he and a sister Ellen were taken into the home of an aunt Mrs. John SWOPE, near Glasgow.

He learned the blacksmith trade from Willian (sic) Wright at Glasgow who conducted a school for that business. He was working at the forge having completed the course when he heard by carrier that President Abraham Lincoln had called for men to defend the Union. He laid aside his apron and in company with a boyhood friend the late George Heaton set out to walk to Fairfield to enlist, Oct. 21, 1861, and was assigned to the Fourth Iowa Cavalry, Company H. The Regiment Colonel was Asbury B. Porter of Mt. Pleasant and the Company was under Major Abial R. Pierce of Lockridge, who organized it and was its Captain two years.

Mr. TURNER was appointed a Farrier for the Company and promoted to First Farrier September 1, 1863. Re-enlisting in the Veteran Regiment December 11, 1863 he was re-appointed First Farrier. He was honorably discharged at Davenport October 1, 1865. He was in a number of important engagements including Mechanicsburg, Miss., Bear Creek, Miss., the Grenada Raid, Bogue Chito, Miss., Livingston, Miss., Brice's Cross Roads, Miss., and Vicksburg, Miss. Fifteen years ago he was the guest of the State of Iowa on the historic Vicksburg Battle fields and located the bluff which sheltered him many nights while he shod the horses of his comrades. During his long service in the Army he lost a number of horses which were shot out from under him but he escaped without a serious wound.

Because of his high regard for the Chaplain of his Regiment, Rev. Andrew J. Kirkpatrick of Mt. Pleasant who was affiliated with the Masonic order Mr. TURNER while home on a furlough in 1863 joined the Masonic lodge at Glasgow and maintained his membership in that organization until his death being affiliated with Clinton Lodge No. 15 of this city for many years. He is thought to be the oldest Mason in the State.

Returning to his blacksmith trade in Glasgow at the close of the War, Mr. TURNER was united in marriage to Miss Mary E. CASE, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Kezakiah (sic - Hezikiah) CASE on December 10, 1868. Their home was established in Glasgow and in 1879 when William Louden opened his first factory in Fairfield Mr. TURNER was placed in charge of the blacksmith shop in which a number of the products were fashioned at the time. When the factory was closed some time later he returned to Glasgow and again engaged in business. When the Louden factory was again opened here he returned to Fairfield and was employed by the firm for a number of years.

Mr. TURNER's home and family were his pride and joy and old fashioned hospitality has been dispensed from it during the years since it was established. His passing causes the first break in his immediate family circle.

He became a member of the Grand Army of the Republic when an organization was effected in Glasgow shortly after the order was founded in Decatur, Ill. Transferring his membership to Fairfield he had been at the time of his death a member of George Strong Post. No. 19 for many years.

~~~~

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Tuesday, January 28, 1932
Page 1, Column 4

CITY GATHERS TO PAY TRIBUTE TO S. B. TURNER
Funeral Services For Well Known Veteran Held Here Yesterday

Impressive funeral services yesterday afternoon at the Hoskins Funeral Home marked the last tribute paid Samuel B. TURNER by his many friends and associates. The funeral home was filled to overflowing by friends, many of whom had come for miles to honor the man who has won their esteem and affection.

Magnificent floral offering (sic), sent by relatives, friends and associates were banked about the casket in mute testimony of the esteem in which Mr. TURNER was held by all who know him. The American flag stood at the head of the casket in the midst of the flowers.

Dr. W. F. Rex of the Lutheran church read the scripture and offered prayer. Mrs. S. P. Williamson sang "Death Is Only a Dream" and "City Four Square" accompanied on the piano by Miss Reva Patten. Rev. Williamson of the Christian church gave the sermon and closing prayer. The Masonic service was opened at the home in charge of Dr. J. S. Gaumer and was concluded at the grave. Taps were sounded at the home and cemetery by Murl E. Monger. The firing squad was present at the services in Evergreen cemetery.

Casket attendants were members of Masonic lodge of which Mr. TURNER was the oldest member. They were Dr. Chester Fordyce, H. M. Truesdale, Bruce Ratcliff, Walter Louden, Walter Harris and Leo D. Thoma.

Six veterans acted as guard of honor. They were H. M. Mathew commander of George Strong Post, E. P. Taylor, H. M. Carpenter, William Moorman, John Mohler and W. K. Cathey.

Out-of-town relatives and friends who attended the services were Mrs. N. O. Elliott, Chester Elliott, Mrs. J. L. Bower and son Carl of Salem; Marshall Elliott and daughter of Ottumwa, Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Helfenstine of Lockridge and one son Wilson G. TURNER of Davenport who was called to Fairfield Monday by the death of his father.

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

Note: Buried in Evergreen Cemetery, Fairfield, in Lot 3rd.185. Wife Mary died the following year and is buried there with him.

Jefferson Obituaries maintained by Joey Stark.
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