Memorial Record of Western Kentucky, Lewis Publishing Company, 1904,
pp 631-634 [Henderson]

     HENRY FIELDING TURNER, who has been a most important factor in
the development of Henderson, is numbered among the valued citizens
of that place and ranks among the able representatives of the legal
fraternity in Kentucky.
     He was born in Fayette county, Kentucky, April 29, 1829, and is
connected with some of the oldest and best known families in
Virginia, Kentucky and the south generally.  His grandfather, Lewis
Elzey Turner, married Theodosiz Payne, daughter of Colonel Edward
Payne, in Virginia, and in 1782 removed with the Lewis and Payne
families (between whom there was a relationship) to Kentucky,
locating in Fayette county in its pioneer days.  His son, Fielding
Lewis Turner, the father of Henry Fielding Turner, was born in
Loudoun county, Virginia, but was reared in Fayette county on his
father's farm.  He studied law and at an early age removed to
Natchez, Mississippi, where he acquired a large practice, which he
turned over to his youngest brother, Edward Turner, who afterward
became chief justice of Mississippi.  From Natchez Fielding Lewis
Turner removed to New Orleans, where he practiced law and became
judge of the criminal court of Louisiana.  There his fearless and
just enforcement of the law brought order out of chaos and
established a sense of safety where one of fear and distrust had
existed.  On the 21st of September, 1817, he married Caroline
Augusta Sargent, daughter of Governor Winthrop Sargent of Louisiana. 
Later he returned to the old Kentucky homestead in Fayette county,
where he practically lived a retired life, devoting his time to
agriculture and literary pursuits.  He died in October, 1843,
survived by four children.
     The eldest son, Oscar Turner, was born February 5, 1825, in New
Orleans, but was reared and educated in Kentucky, graduating in the
law department of Transylvania University in 1846.  He lived upon
his farm in Ballard county, Kentucky, and was a successful lawyer in
the first judicial district, representing the commonwealth as its
attorney under the constitution of 1850.  He also represented his
district in congress for three successive terms, being each time
elected as an independent Democrat.  He died in Louisville,
Kentucky, in January, 1896.
     Henry Fielding Turner, like his brother, was graduated in the
law department of Transylvania University, at Lexington, in 1849. 
He was by special act of the legislature permitted to practice
before his majority, and entered upon the prosecution of his
profession in the year of his graduation.  He was for three years a
member of the bar of Lexington, and in 1852 removed to Henderson,
where he has since made his home.  He is thoroughly informed in the
science of legal jurisprudence, has a keen, analytical mind that has
gained him marked prestige in his profession, has been very
successful in his chosen work, and retained as counsel in the most
important litigation in the courts of his county and state.  The
records of the court of appeals show his name in connection with
many important cases, settling "new points" of law.  His stern sense
of justice is such that when he believes a client is in error he
will have nothing to do with his case.
     Mr. Turner has never coveted office, yet he has been the
retained counsel in many of the most important enterprises of his
city and county by their officials.  He was the counselor of the
city of Henderson for many years, and in 1867 drafted its "new city
charter," incorporating new provisions which have since proved of
great benefit.  The city school charter was drafted by him and
arried into successful operation in the face of great opposition.  The
school system is now one of the best in the state and the pride
of Henderson.
     His life has been devoted to his profession and farming; he has
never sought political preferment, yet in 1894, without his
solicitation, he was unanimously called by the People's party to
become their candidate for congress.  He made a vigorous canvass in
the interests of the reform principles, especially on national
finance, but with no hope of election.  At the state convention of
the People's party in 1896 he was appointed a delegate for the state
at large to the national convention afterward held at St. Louis,
Missouri, which nominated Bryan and Watson for president and
vice-president.
     After this he was selected by the Democratic and People's party
committee as one of the two candidates for presidential elector for
the state of Kentucky at the November election, 1896, representing
the People's party.  He was not an aspirant at either honor, the
positions being unsolicited.  He has always been a consistent and
firm supporter of the political principles advocated by Jefferson.
     In May, 1850, Mr. Turner was united in marriage to Miss
Lucinda, the only daughter of Dr. John Slavens, of Harrodsburg, a
successful physician and graduate of the medical department of
Transylvania University in 1825, under Dr. Benjamin Dudley.  Mr. and
Mrs. Turner have had five children: Sophy, wife of William Soaper,
of Henderson, now deceased; Josephine, wife of Benjamin C. Allin, of
Chicago; Mary, wife of William W. Shelby, of Henderson; Fielding
Lewis Turner, who was graduated in the law department of Union
University, of New York, in 1876, and engaged in the practice in
Henderson for a few years, but is now engaged in extensive farming
in Ballard county, Kentucky; and Lucy, wife of Chapman T. Blackwell,
of Henderson.  There are now a number of grandchildren who add
happiness to the old family homestead.
     Mr. Turner joined the Christian church at an early age; his
wife and children are members of the Protestant Episcopal church. 
In 1849 he became a member of the Masonic fraternity, was made a
Knight Templar in Webb Encampment, in Lexington, in May, 1850, and
was master of Good Samaritan Lodge, in 1852.
     Mr. Turner is a man of domestic tastes who finds his greatest
enjoyment in his home, where he is surrounded by his family and
friends, to whom he delights to extend the warm-hearted [sic]
hospitality so characteristic of the southern mansion.  He is
himself a true type of the chivalrous, aristocratic old southern
gentleman whom all delight to honor.  He resides upon his farm
adjoining the city limits of Henderson, and is devoted to
agricultural and horticultural pursuits, which he makes his source
of recreation.  The old place has been his home for over forty
years, and each tree and flower there is to him a familiar and loved
friend.

Turner Payne Lewis Sargent Bryan Watson Slavens Dudley Soaper Allin
Shelby Blackwell
=
Fayette-KY Loudoun-VA MS LA Ballard-KY MO IL

http://www.rootsweb.com/~kygenweb/kybiog/henderson/turner.hf.txt