TURNER, DELBERT E.

TURNER, PALMER, HEATHCOCK

Posted By: Jean Kramer (email)
Date: 7/11/2003 at 18:18:56

Biography reproduced from page 519 of Volume II of the History of Kossuth County written by Benjamin F. Reed and published in 1913:

Delbert E. Turner has for nine years been a resident of Buffalo township, where he owns and operates a well improved farm of a hundred and sixty acres. He was born on a farm in the vicinity of Princeton, Bureau county, Illinois, on the 21st of February, 1869. His father, Clarence Turner, is a native of the state of New York and a son of Pascal Turner, who with his family removed to Illinois during the pioneer period, being one of the first settlers of Bureau county. There Clarence Turner was reared to manhood and educated, subsequently marrying Mary Palmer, the mother of our subject. He adopted agriculture for his life vocation and for many years was engaged in farming in the vicinity of Princeton, where he is now living retired.

There was no occurrence in the boyhood of Delbert E. Turner to distinguish it from that of the average youth who is reared on a farm and educated in the district schools. At an early age he began assisting his father, under whose competent direction he developed into a first-class practical farmer. Soon after attaining his majority he was married and began farming for himself as a renter in Bureau county, remaining there until 1903 when he came to Iowa. Here he subsequently purchased the place on which he is residing and has ever since diligently applied himself to its further development. He has made many notable changes during the period of his ownership, all of which have improved the appearance and enhanced the value of the property. The residence has been remodeled, while a large barn and granary provide ample shelter for his stock and grain and he has also installed about the premises various modern conveniences and labor-saving devices. Mr. Turner engages in general farming and dairying in connection with which he is raising shorthorn cattle, Poland China hogs and Percheron horses, and is meeting with lucrative returns.

In Bureau county in September, 1890, Mr. Turner was married to Miss Georgiana Heathcock, who was born, reared and educated in Bureau county. Of this marriage there have been born five children, Irene M., Clarence G., Leona M., Blanch M. and Mildred M.

Fraternally Mr. Turner is a member of the Modern Woodmen of America. He is a republican in politics, but has never figured prominently in the official affairs of his township. He is not remiss in matters of citizenship, however, but on the contrary takes an active interest in local matters and is always ready to cooperate in promoting the welfare of the community.