He was admitted to the bar in 1869 and commenced practice in Front Royal, Virginia.

He served as member of the State board of visitors of the Virginia Military Institute for eight years.

Turner was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-third Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Charles T. O'Ferrall.

He was later re-elected in the general election with 52.12% of the vote, defeating Republican Robert J. Walker, Populist Jacob S. Hopkins, and Independent G.T.

This article incorporates public domain material from the Biographical Directory of the United States Congress