Born in Putney, Vermont, Turner read law to enter the bar in 1848.
He was the United States Attorney for the Western District of Texas from 1866 to 1867.
[1] Turner received a recess appointment from President Rutherford B. Hayes on November 18, 1880, to a seat on the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas vacated by Judge Thomas Howard DuVal.
He was confirmed by the United States Senate on December 20, 1880, and received his commission the same day.
His service terminated on June 2, 1888, due to his death in Austin.