Fountain Turner, farmer and stock-raiser; P. O. Ashmore; one of the pioneers of Coles Co.; was born in Madison Co., Ky., Feb. 3, 1795, being the son of Thomas and Anna Turner, and the second in age of a family of three children; his father was from South Carolina, and his mother from Virginia; he was but 3 years of age when his father died. He was married Dec. 7, 1818, to Miss Elizabeth Phelps, a daughter of Jarrot and Millie Phelps; she was born in Madison Co., Ky., Feb. 12, 1803; her parents were both natives of Virginia. Mr. Turner settled on a farm in Madison Co., and there resided until 1834, when he sold out, and with his wife and four children started in an emigrant-wagon for the wilds of Illinois, arriving in Coles Co. after a journey of fifteen days; he settled on the very spot where he now resides, and bought about 300 acres of land; he now owns a fine farm of 400 acres; they have had nine children, as follows: Samuel, who died July 13, 1865; Jarrot, who died Nov. 28, 1875; Thomas, who now resides on the home farm just in the edge of Hutton Tp; George A. C., who died Oct. 26, 1854; Mary E., wife of S. C. Ashmore, of Ashmore; Ann, wife of Riley Davis, of Hutton Tp.; Mildred A., who died Aug. 26, 1828; Oliver S., who died Feb. 1, 1853; and Martin, who was a soldier of the 123d Ill. Vols., and was killed in his first battle, that of Perryville, Ky. Mr. Turner and wife have lived together over 60 years, and are both hale and strong for persons of their age; they are members of the Christian Church, and have the respect and esteem of all who know them.
