My Genealogy Hound

MARK J. TURNER, of Cortland, the junior member of the firm of Reeves & Turner, general wood-workers, was born at Columbia, Otsego County, N. Y., June 19, 1851. He is a son of John and Elizabeth (More) Turner. His grandfather Turner was among those who fought for the freedom of America. John Turner was born in the Catskill Mountains, Dutchess County, N. Y. He received a common school education, and then turned his attention to the tilling of the soil in his native county, and later he went to Otsego County, and later to Oswego County, N. Y., and engaged in the lumbering business. Politically, he was an ardent Republican. He was married to Elizabeth More, and two children were born to them: William, and Mark J. Mr. Turner passed from this life at the advanced age of seventy-four years.

Mark J. Turner, who heads the above lines, received a limited education, and showed what a brave and determined spirit can do in battling with the world by depending on his own resources and ability from the early age of fourteen years. He learned the cooper’s trade, which he followed for a time, and then engaged in the lumbering business in Oswego County, N. Y. Later he went to Forest County, Pa., where he remained for three years, following the trade of a tanner, and before leaving he had the entire charge of the tannery in which he had been working; he then went to Jamestown, N. Y., where he remained seven months, and then moved to Canisteo, Steuben County, N. Y., where he engaged in manufacturing chairs for six years; later he went to South America and was on a railroad expedition for two years, when he returned to Canisteo and resumed his former trade, following it for seven years. He then took up his residence in Cortland and superintended the Cortland Chair Co. for seven years, when he started in business under the firm name of Reeves & Turner, general wood-workers.

Mr. Turner married Miss Eva Berry, and after her death he formed a second union with Miss Margaret Anna Delany. To them were born two children: Frank and Myrtie. In politics he is an active Republican, and has served as trustee of the village for three years. He is a member of the A. O. U. W. Lodge of Canisteo, N. Y., No. 29, and has held offices in that Order.