This contains a transcription of the Edward A. Turner of Alstead, NH biography from Biographical Review Volume XXIII: Containing Life Sketches of Leading Citizens of Cheshire and Hillsboro Counties, New Hampshire, Biographical Review Publishing Company, Boston, 1897.
Pages 39-40
EDWARD A. TURNER, formerly a well-known and highly respected resident of Alstead, was born here, March 6, 1846, son of John G. and Maria (Cobb) Turner. The Turners originated with three brothers, who came from England. The grandfather of Edward A. Turner was John, born in Mansfield, Mass. He spent the most of his life in Walpole, N. H., and died in Alstead in 1860, being the first of the line to come to this town. His wife, Sibyl Gordon Turner, a native of Massachusetts, bore him six children.
John Turner, son of the preceding John and the father of Edward A., born in Walpole in August, 1810, came to Alstead in 1844. He was a stage driver for years, in which occupation he gained an extensive acquaintance, and made many friends. In the later part of his life he was engaged in farming. He successively married Maria Cobb and Ruth Messer. By the first marriage there were three children – William, Edward A., and Edwin O., the last two being twins. William died at the age of five and Edwin at the age of four years.
Edward A. Tuner received his early education in the schools of his native town. After leaving school he obtained employment in a store as clerk, first in Alstead and later in Bellows Falls, Vt. He afterward owned and conducted a grocery store in Bellows Falls for many years, after which failing health obliged him to give it up. He was a member of the Board of Selectmen for a number of years, and was many times the chairman of that body. He was also Town Treasurer for several years, and fulfilled the duties of that responsible position with rare fidelity and efficiency. Under President Cleveland’s administration he was Postmaster for four years, and in 1882-83 he was a member of the State legislature, where he served on the Committee on Agriculture. In politics Mr. Turner was a Democrat. He died June 22, 1891, of heart disease, while working on the books in the Selectmen’s office, and was buried with Masonic rites. In religious belief Mr. Turner was a Universalist.
Mrs. Olive A. Turner was born in Chesterfield, January 15, 1844, daughter of Alfred and Emily (Farr) Chamberlain, of Chesterfield. Her father, a farmer, who was born October 14, 1806, died in November, 1880. Her mother, born April 25, 1815, is now living with Mrs. Turner. The children of Mr. and Mrs. Turner are: Mabel, Edwin O., and Lucia E. F. Mabel, born November 1, 1870, is the wife of Charles E. Murdough, a clerk in a store in Alstead; Lucia E. F., born December 18, 1878, is attending school in Springfield, Mass.; Edwin O. is a clerk in a store of Holyoke, Mass.