This worthy and stanch pioneer of many sections of the west is now one of the successful business men of Kamiah, handling a fruit, confectionery and refreshment establishment which is the recipient of a good patronage.
James Turner was born in Iowa, on November 4, 1837, being the son of John and Elizabeth (Pennington) Turner, natives of Kentucky. In 1832 the entire family came across the plains to Linn County, Oregon, and in February, 1854, our subject started in life for himself. He mined in Shasta County, California, and in Jackson County, Oregon, until 1865, also taking a trip to Idaho in 1862. He visited Florence City, in 1863 came to Idaho City and for three years he was numbered with the successful placer miners of that city. Then he returned to Linn County and in 1875 he moved to Whitman County, Washington. Ten years in that region and then three and one half were spent in Spokane. He returned to Whitman and railroaded for a time and later went at his labor of mining in the Pierce City district. Seven years were spent in that labor and in 1900 Mr. Turner came to his present place. He has one brother, Henry I., a miner in Shoshone County, and three sisters, Melinda; Mary, wife of William Rett, a stockman of Montana; Margaret, wife of Harry Titman, residing at Yaquina Bay, Oregon.
In February, 1866, Mr. Turner married Miss Jane, daughter of John and Elizabeth (Gohlson) Naught. Mrs. Turner was born in Iowa in 1846 and came to Polk County across the plains with her parents in 1853. She is a member of the Christian church and is a woman of excellent virtues. To this union there have been born four children, William A., with his parents; Cora D., wife of Henry B. Webber; Charles E. and Ella M., with parents.
Back to: Nez Perce Biographies
Source: An Illustrated History of Northern Idaho, Embracing Nez Perce, Idaho, Latah, Kootenai and Shoshone Counties, Western Historical Publishing Company, 1903