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Below is a family biography included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Sharp County, Arkansas published by Goodspeed Publishing Company in 1889.  These biographies are valuable for genealogy research in discovering missing ancestors or filling in the details of a family tree. Family biographies often include far more information than can be found in a census record or obituary.  Details will vary with each biography but will often include the date and place of birth, parent names including mothers' maiden name, name of wife including maiden name, her parents' names, name of children (including spouses if married), former places of residence, occupation details, military service, church and social organization affiliations, and more.  There are often ancestry details included that cannot be found in any other type of genealogical record.

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S. Price Turner, one of the leading merchants of Ash Flat, was born in Dent County, Mo., in 1862. His parents were George W. and Leon E. (Dougherty) Turner, both natives of Tennessee, who resided in Dent County, Mo., before the war. The family moved to Baxter County, Ark., in 1864, and from there to Izard County, and, in 1866, settled in Sharp County, coming to Ash Flat one year later. The father entered into commercial life on his arrival, and was a successful business man up to the time of his death, in January, 1885, being one of the most prominent merchants and leaders in mercantile affairs in that place. He was an officer in the Confederate army, and served through the war with great distinction, and was also a member of the A. F. & A. M., and Knights and Ladies of Honor. His start in Ash Flat was, similar to that of other self-made men, on almost nothing, but, being a man of energetic and determined spirit, he made a success where many others would have made a failure, and, at the time of his death, left a considerable fortune. Mr. Turner and his wife were both members of the Christian Church, and Mrs. Turner still survives her husband, at the age of fifty-four years. She is a daughter of Sakiah Dougherty, a brave officer, who met death at the battle of Wilson’s Creek, in 1861. S. Price Turner has resided in Ash Flat ever since five years old, with the exception of one year at Fayetteville. He attended the State University in his youth, and at the age of eighteen was taken into partnership with his father, and remained with him until the elder Turner’s death, when he succeeded to the business. He has carried on the business in the same enterprising manner that characterized the father, and has upheld the reputation made by the elder Turner. Mr. Turner, in connection with other members of his family, owns over 1,200 acres of land in Sharp County, besides considerable real estate in Ash Flat, and in the State of California. He was married, February 19, 1885, to Miss Fannie Davidson, a daughter of Dr. Benjamin H. and Atella J. Davidson, both deceased, the former being one of the leading physicians of this county during his life. Mr. Turner and his wife are the parents of one son and two daughters, and they comprise one of the most interesting and happiest families in Ash Flat. In politics he is a Democrat, and in 1884 cast his vote for Cleveland. He is also a member of Ash Flat Lodge No. 159, A. F. & A. M., and was senior warden for two terms. Royal Arch Chapter, Evening Shade, claims him as a member, as do the Knights and Ladies of Honor.

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This family biography is one of 43 biographies included in Biographical and Historical Memoirs of Sharp County, Arkansas published in 1889.  View the complete description here: Sharp County, Arkansas History, Genealogy, and Maps

View additional Sharp County, Arkansas family biographies here: Sharp County, Arkansas Biographies

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