Born in Trumbull County, Ohio, Turner completed preparatory studies.

He served as judge of the probate court of Stephenson County in 1842, Postmaster of Freeport in 1844, and State district attorney in 1845.

He served as delegate to the peace convention held in Washington, D.C. in 1861, in an effort to devise means to prevent the impending war.

Turner enlisted in the Union Army May 24, 1861, and served as colonel of the Fifteenth Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry.

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