JOSEPH TURNER
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Joseph Turner came to Pymosa township in 1855, and entered a quarter section of land, although he did not settle there until 1858. In 1862 he removed to Franklin township, and is a resident of Wiota at the present.
Transcribed by Gloria Goltiani from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pg. 559. Portrait pg. 672.
Joseph Turner, the present mayor of Wiota, came to Cass county at an early day, and has ever since been generally known to its citizens as a man of sterling worth and strictest integrity. He was born in Derbyshire, England, October 15, 1827, and is the son of Robert and Hannah Turner. When Joseph had reach his thirteenth year, his parents concluded to make their future home in the New World, and accordingly took passage for the United States. Arriving on America's shores, they selected for their home a point in Allegheny county, Pennsylvania, near Pittsburgh. Here the father established himself in his business of blacksmithing, and here Joseph, who was an apt student, spent his time in acquiring that skill, dexterity and thorough knowledge at his trade, which his father, a trained artisan, was so well capable of imparting. Thouhg his progress at his trade was all that could be desired. Joseph determined to avail himself of the opportunity offered to all in this country, of securing to himself a portion of the public domain, and accordingly in 1855, he came to this county and entered a quarter section of land in Pymosa township. On returning to his eastern home, the impression made upon his mind by the supposed future prospects of the county in which he had taken up his claim, so deepened, that he determinded to make it his permanent home. And the spring of 1858, found him located on his land, making improvements and tilling the soil. In 1860 he went to Colorado, but after a stay of one and a half years, returned. In 1862, he exchanged his farm for one on section 3, Franklin township, of which he still retains the ownership. In January, 1860, Mr. Turner's parents followed his footsteps to this county, and settled in this township, on section 3, where they continued peacefully to reside till death called them away. In 1878 he took up his residence in Wiota, and opened an establishment for general blacksmithing; and numerous are the people in the vicinity who can testify to his skill at this, his chosen calling. Mr. Turner was married September 22, 1864, to Mary C. Chandler, a native of Ohio. They have five children living -- Joseph R., Philip, Millward, Jane and George. They have been bereaved by death in the loss of tow sons -- Samuel and Frank. Mr. Turner has been successful in a business way, and his residence is one of the finest in Wiota. He is one of the solid and substantial men of the town, and is held in high esteem. His fellow-citizens have shown their confidence in him by choosing him for the responsible position of mayor, for which he is well fitted by integrity and experience.
Transcribed by Cheryl Siebrass from "History of Cass County, Iowa. Together With Sketches of its Towns, Villages and Townships, Educational, Civil, Military and Political History: Portraits of Prominent Persons, and Biographies of Old Settlers and Representative Citizens." Springfield, Ill.: Continental Historical Company, 1884, pp. 805-806.
