-- US Military History Institute

David Turner was born in Northhamptonshire, England sometime between 1816 and October 14, 1820. According to his 1851 naturalization records, he came through the port of Ogdenburgh, NY in May of 1836. He was naturalized on March 22, 1870 in Waukesha, WI.

According to the "Memoirs of Waukesha County", David attended West Point Military Academy where he graduated, afterward holding the position of drill-sergant. In the Civil War, he was a member of Co. G, 28th Wisconsin Infantry, serving under Capt. Elihu Enos. He was elected 1st Lieutenant on September 6, 1862 and commissioned two days later. During the opening moments of the Battle of Helena, Arkansas on 4 Juny 1863, Lt. Turner was out on picket duty with his company and was among those who fired the first shots for the Union during the Confederate attack. In January 1864, he was promoted to Captain of the 4th Arkansas Cavalry.

Photo by Bruce Laine

David was married to Mary McAvety on July 23, 1841. Family records indicate that he was married at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in New York, NY on July 23, 1841 by the Rev. Bernard Carragher. The Turners lived in New York (possibly Orange County) until about the year 1850. David was a farmer who owned his own land in the town of Delafield, WI (1859 plot map of Delafield, WI). David and Mary had 8 children: Frances, Joseph, George, David, Sophia, Catherine, John and William. Joseph was also a Civil War veteran with Co. F, 5th Wisconsin Infantry. In 1880 David, Mary and his daughter Sophia are listed as living in the village of Waukesha, Wisconsin and his occupation is listed as carpenter. The 1880 census also states that he had consumption at the time. He died August 04, 1881 at Waukesha and was buried in Prairie Home Cemetery.