William R., son of Alexander and Elizabeth (Burrell) Turnbull, was born on the family homestead in Seneca township, Ontario county, New York, December 5, 1857. He was educated in the district school. and after being graduated from this, spent two years in the old Canandaigua Academy, and left it excellently equipped for business as well as farming life. Until his marriage he, his brother and his father worked hand-in-hand in making the homestead farm as productive as conditions would permit; upon his marriage, however, one hundred acres of this land were set out for his special portion, and he devoted his time and attention exclusively to that part of the homestead. In addition to farming he devoted a considerable part of his time and land to sheep raising, and in this branch of industry has met with remarkable success. From time to time he has enlarged his output in various directions, and the annual revenue from his farm is a constantly increasing one. He is one of the most progressive farmers in his section of the country, examining carefully every new device and invention that is placed on the market in the interests of land cultivation and its kindred branches, and when he has given them a fair trial or has seen them amply demonstrated he is ready to install them. He has had a beautiful house built upon his land, fitted with all modern improvements, such as steam heat, acetylene light, etc., in which he and his family are surrounded by all the influences of a refined home life. His fraternal associations are with the Order of Maccabees, while his political views are those of the Republican party. He and his family are members of No. 9 Presbyterian church.
Mr. Turnbull married, February 21, 1889, Margaret F., born in Seneca, New York, October 24, 1868, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George O. Rippey, a farmer, who was born in 1826, and died in 1907. Joseph Rippey, grandfather of Mrs. Turnbull, was a native of Pennsylvania, and when a young man, settled in Seneca township, Ontario county, New York, where he resided all his life. He married – Smith, and they had the following children: Carrie; George 0.; Elizabeth; Amy; John; Cornelia. By a second marriage with Eleanor Scoon he had Ella, who lives in California. The family were Presbyterians. The children of George O. Rippey and wife were: John B.; Margaret E., mentioned above: child, died in infancy. Children of William 1. and Margaret E. (Rippey) Turnbull: 1. Wilson R., born May ii, 1892; was graduated from public schools in 1907, and from Penn Yan High School in 1910; is now (1910) a student in the Agricultural Department, of Cornell University. 2. Howard, born June 4, 1893; is a student at Penn Yan High School, from which he will graduate in the class of 1911 ; is a fine musician, especially as a performer on the piano. 3. Mac B., born September 22, 1904.