Aaron Turner
Aaron Turner is a son of Joab Turner, a native of Maryland, who was married to Miss Ary Johnson, a native of Harrison County, Ohio. They settled in Coshocton County, where the father died; the mother then moved to Illinois, where she died.
Aaron Turner was born in Harrison County, Ohio, June 10, 1832. He was reared in Coshocton County, receiving a common-school education, and has always followed farming as an occupation. In 1855 Mr. Turner was united in marriage with Miss Mary J., daughter of Jesse Smith, of Killbuck Township, Holmes Coutny, and in 1868 they settled on their present farm, which is one of the best in the township. Their family consists of five living children: Elisha, a farmer of Killbuck Township, married to Miss Catherine, daughter of Abraham Brink, and has five children: Tacey, Claude, Bessie, Clyde and Halley; Mary Frances, wife of John Roby, of Richland Township, has one child, Abigail; Maggie, wife of Armstrong Harford, of Killbuck Township, has two children: Jay and Velma; Isaac and William are at home. Mr. Turner formerly took an active part in Republican politics, but of late years has been a strong supporter of the Prohibition party. He has served in many of the township offices, and he and family are prominent member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, of which he is trustee and class leader. He served as leader for nearly a quarter of a century, his services being always in demand; has served as steward, recording steward of the church and Sabbath school superintendent several times. He is a true Christina, untiring in his efforts for the cause of the right, and his charity is manifested by his acts of benevolence.
Mr. Turner when he became of age had not a penny in the world, but by integrity of character and the aid of a strong physical body he has, by his own efforts and the help of a good wife, reared his family well, and accumulated what he now possesses. He lived in the days when the sickle was in use, and learned to handle one well; he was here before the threshing machine, and remembers well selling the first one introduced in the community; also the separator, mower, and reaper; he also claims a place among the pioneer fathers in removing the forest, as he has cleared some sixty acres of land. Mr. Turner cast his first vote for Fremont, saw the downfall of slavery, voted for the XIVth Amendment, and was among the first to take the stump for the Prohibition party in his township; and he hopes to see that party triumphant.
From Commemorative Biographical Record of the Counties of Wayne and Holmes, Ohio, J. H. Beers & Co., Chicago, 1889