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A. M. Turner |
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A. M. TURNER, oil producer, was born June 27, 1810, in Franklin county, Pennsylvania, and is a son of James and Nancy (McCurdy) Turner, both natives, of that county and the parents of seven children: William M., a farmer, who died in Ohio in 1871; James E., an iron manufacturer, who died in Indiana county, this state, in 1844; Nancy, who died when young; Rebecca, who was married to William Connell, and died at New Castle, Pennsylvania; John, a farmer, who died in Illinois; A. M., and Robert M., who died when a young man. The parents and all of their children except James were identified with the Presbyterian church. A. M. Turner received his education in the subscription schools of his native county. He was brought up at rural pursuits until the age of nineteen years, when he accepted employment for three years with General Dunn at an iron furnace located in Path valley, Franklin county, Pennsylvania. From there he went, in 1833, to Huntingdon county, and engaged with John Savage at his Trough Creek furnace. After three years he engaged with Samuel Royer & Company at the Springfield furnace, where he remained for seven years. In the year 1843 he began merchandising in Blairsville, Indiana county, combining it with a foundry for eleven years, having Doctor Hamill as partner for a portion of the time. At the end of his mercantile career he was assigned the management of the Shade furnace in Somerset county, for two years. In 1856 he became book-keeper for the Buffalo furnace in Armstrong county, from which he withdrew in 1861, and moved to the present site of Siverly. Here he began the production of oil, which he has continued with varied success ever since, having at the present time a number of producing wells. During the administration of President Lincoln he was appointed deputy assessor of internal revenue under Joseph H. Lenhardt, of Meadville, Pennsylvania, and held that position for three years. He was postmaster at Springfield furnace from 1835 to 1842, and United States commissioner two years. He was elected one of the county commissioners in 1872, served the term with credit, and has also been school director. He is a Republican in politics with Prohibition proclivities. His marriage occurred February 12, 1855, to Elizabeth T. Smith, of Blairsville, Pennsylvania, born June 25, 1823, a daughter of William and Sarah (Henderson) Smith. Her father was a farmer and merchant and had four children: George E., tanner and merchant, who served many years in the revenue department; Nancy J., married to Thomas Laughlin, who died in Andersonville prison; Elizabeth T., and William, now a retired physician at Springfield, Ohio. Mrs. Turner’s parents were worthy members of the Presbyterian church, of which her father was an elder at the time of his death. Mr. and Mrs. Turner are two of the original members of the First Presbyterian church of Oil City. They are now connected with the Second Presbyterian church of South Oil City, and he has been an elder since 1861. Their children are named as follows: William, married to Louisa M. Diven; Sarah, married to Archie Gayle, baggage master on the Allegheny Valley railroad; Mary, married to Edward Laughlin; Harriet, a teacher in the Oil City public schools; Rebecca, at home; James, Nannie M., Robert B., and Charles, all deceased.
History of Venango County, Pennsylvania
: its past and present, including its aboriginal history, the French and
British occupation of the country, its early settlement and subsequent
growth, a description of its historic and interesting localities, its rich
oil deposits and their development, sketches of its cities, boroughs,
townships, and villages, neighborhood and family history, portraits and
biographies of pioneers and representative citizens, statistics, etc.,
etc.
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