John TURNBULL, a representative of the agricultural interests of La Prairie township, his farm comprising two hundred and ninety-three acres of well improved land on section 21, was born in this township in 1861 and is a son of Robert and Mary (SMITH) TURNBULL, whose sketch appears elsewhere in this volume. Upon the old home farm John TURNBULL was reared and the district schools afforded him his early education, which was supplemented by a course of study in Brown's College at Peoria. Ho entered business life on his own account in 1884 and has always engaged in general agricultural pursuits and stockraising. That he has prospered is indicated by the fact that he is now the owner of two hundred and ninety-three acres of well improved land. Upon his place are good buildings that in turn are surrounded by richly tilled fields, and everything about the farm is indicative of the spirit of thrift and enterprise displayed by the owner, who not only carefully cultivates his fields, but is also a successful breeder of full blooded Hereford cattle, having at the head of his herd a fine bull, Soldier Boy, which he purchased of Gudgell & Simpson, of Independence, Missouri, and which bears the register number 228527. Mr. TURNBULL makes a specialty of the business of feeding cattle and hogs, and always has fine stock upon his place, for which he secured a ready sale on the market. He is likewise president of the Mutual Fire Insurance Company of La Prairie township.
On September 9, 1886, in Lacon, Illinois, occurred the marriage of Mr. TURNBULL and Miss Clara NOEL, who was born in Ogle county, Illinois, July 21, 1863, and was educated in Mount Morris College. She is a daughter of M. F. NOEL, whose birth occurred in Adams county, Pennsylvania, in 1834. He was a shoemaker by trade and in 1855, when a young man of twenty-one years, came to Illinois. In his political views he was a democrat. He married Margaret HOUSEHOLDER, who was born in Montgomery county, Ohio, in 1837, and who came to Illinois in 1845,- her education being largely acquired in Ogle county. In 1856 she gave her hand in marriage to Mr. NOEL and in 1881 they removed to Marshall county, settling at Lacon, where he engaged in the shoe business. In their family were four children: Mrs. M. M. MALLERY, of Pontiac, Illinois; Mrs. Nettie CLEVELAND, who is living in Aurora, Illinois; John, a resident of Lacon; and Mrs. TURNBULL.
Mr. and Mrs. TURNBULL began their domestic life upon a farm and have always been interested in general agricultural pursuits. Their home has been blessed with three children: Robert N., Andrew and Lawrence, all of whom are under the parental roof. Mrs. TURNBULL is a member of the United Presbyterian church and is a most estimable lady, possessing many good traits of heart and mind. Mr. TURNBULL votes with the republican party and has served as assessor for two years and filled other local offices. He, too, is a member of the United Presbyterian church and his influence is ever given on the side of right, progress and improvement. Having always lived in this part of the state, he is widely known and his salient characteristics are such as have gained him rank with the worthy, influential and prosperous residents of La Prairie township.
Extracted June 2011 by Norma Hass from
Past and Present of Marshall and Putnam Counties
| Bureau | Putnam | |
| Stark |
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La Salle |
| Peoria | Woodford |
