He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1814, and served in the War of 1812 as an assistant engineer with the rank of second lieutenant.
[1] Turner then studied at the College of William & Mary for two years before returning to North Carolina.
He was elected to the House of Representatives of the 20th Congress in 1827, serving one term.
[3] From 1854 until his death, he was superintending engineer of public works at Mare Island Naval Shipyard.
[1] His home, Reedy Rill, was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1974.