[1] A. J. Turner's mother's father was Jack Chapman, a Revolutionary war captain in Virginia.

[1] Both Samuel Turner and Jack Chapman were active at Mount Zion Baptist Church, whose pastor was John Gill Landrum.

No face is seen that does not deepest sorrow show; Departed are our joys and only bitter woe Remains, since thou, oh!

[6] Before moving to Staunton, Turner lived in Middletown and Newtown (now Stephen's' City), near Winchester in Frederick County, Virginia.

Turner also spent time at Greenville, where he played with the famous banjoist Joel Sweeney in 1847,[12] and organized a band in Middlebrook.

[26][27] At Armory Hall on April 4, 1861, Turner's Silver Cornet Band, together with the Staunton Musical Association and the Glee Club, presented the last concert to be given before the Civil War.

The band was mustered into the 5th Virginia Infantry Regiment under Stonewall Jackson and Colonel William S. Baylor, and left Staunton on April 17, 1861.

As well as playing their instruments, band members fought and acted as couriers and letter bearers[30] or medical assistants.

[29] In addition to entertaining the troops in the field, the band frequently appeared in concerts in Fredericksburg, Richmond, Staunton, and elsewhere to support recruiting rallies, clothing drives, and war relief fundraising.

An account of the Battle of Hoke's Run in the Staunton Spectator reads: "Little Charley Turner, a boy about 15 years of age, insisted so strongly on going with the Augusta Guards that his father finally yielded to his importunities and allowed him to go.

[40] An 1860 advert for his services reads, "Teaches Piano, Guitar, Flute, Violin, &c, &c; also Ballad Singing".

[41] An 1896 ad reads, "Prof. A. J. Turner respectfully solicits a class of young people of both sexes in music ... Instruments: violin, piano, guitar, mandolin, cello and cornet.

"[53] One account of the institute's annual concert praises the pupils for "a high degree of musical taste and talent".

[54] In 1888-89, Turner was a professor of music teaching piano, violin, guitar, and cornet at the Staunton Male Academy.