Biographies - Elmira Township

William H. Turnbull was born on the line of Roxburghshire and Northumberland, bordering on England, February, 1809; was married to Miss Mary Hume, of Roxburghshire, in 1837. He came to the United States in 1852, stopping in Oswego county, New York; in 1853 came to Henry county, Illinois, where he engaged in agricultural pursuits. In October, 1859, death claimed his beloved companion, from which time he made his home with his son-in-law and daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Oliver.

On September 14, 1886, while the family were all quietly, resting in sleep, little dreaming of the destructive element consuming their dwelling, they were suddenly aroused by the crackling flames. Only by the greatest efforts of Mr. Oliver was his body rescued from the flames, but so badly burned that death resulted in twenty-four hours later.

He was the father of seven children, two of whom died in early childhood—one in Oswego county, New York, and the other at Elmira. Four sons and one daughter survive him. Two sons are Presbyterian ministers, one now pastor of a thriving church in Detroit, Mich., and the other of one in Nova Scotia, Canada. One son lives in Pawnee City, Neb., and the other is in Chicago.