He served in the Continental Army as a member of Captain Thomas Converse's Company, 7th Connecticut Regiment during the American Revolutionary War.
For a time, his law partner in St. Albans was Asa Aldis, who subsequently served as chief justice of the Vermont Supreme Court.
[2] Turner subsequently returned to Fairfield; in addition to practicing law, he also trained several prospective attorneys, including William C.
Turner's legal instruction was so sought after that he eventually began offering a formal program of study, which was organized along the lines of the Litchfield Law School.
[4] In 1829, he was a member of the Council of Censors, which met every seven years to review actions of Vermont's government and ensure their constitutionality.