, 1874-04-19
COL. Z. J. TURNER.

COL. T. J. TURNER.
at an adjourned meeting Of the Bar, held yes
tcrday morning in the rooms OF the Law 1nsti-
ture, to take action with regard to the death OF
Col Thomas J. Turner,
THE FOLLOWING RESOLUTIONS
were adopted:
In view Of the death Of Thomas ]. Turner, late \
aional brethren having been convened with desire
to do honor to his memory, It ie therefore
R<sosed, That the Bar q Chicago cherish The fair
fame OF their brethren in other parts Of the SAte and
beyond local tines, md would bear testimony to the
fact that the late Col Thomas J. Turner had, during
his long residence in Stephenson County, Ill., deserved
and attaned high consideration CITIZEN capable
and energetic officer ut home and In the councils Of
the State and Nation and in military e and witha
bud exhibited the character OF an upright and efficient
Reso.red. That hi. comparatively short term Of resi
which his brethren Of the Bench and Bar had prev-
ously held him. and increased their esteem for his
qualities citizen and public man.
Resolred, Tint By fidelity to trust. nnwcarted dill
gence in the discharge Of duty, and quick response
to tbs call Of his country when the Union Of the States
was endangered he was marked As man Of noble i'm
pulses and exhibited the character Of Christian gen.
temau and his DEATH after painful illness, has left
void reaching far beyond the family Circle while tho
those who have known Of his varied public ser
vice.
tsotred. That mark Of respect, copy OF these
resolutions be to the several Courts Of Record
in thia city and to the family Of the deceased by
bers of the Bar to be deaignated by tho Chairman.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
A written sketch OF tho life Of Col. Turner,
from the pen OF Judge Dent, accompanied tho
resolutions. of which the following is the sub
stance: The deceased came to Chicago in July,
1871. For some months prior to his death ho
was 80 disabled by rheumatism that he could
not contiuue his work, and his business activity
broken by the great fire; SO that he was not one
OF those who had become most fully identi fed
with the Chicago Bar. He made fuller record
while living in Stephenson County, where his
residence began in 1856, and continued until his
removal to this city. He become connected with
the Bar in 1910. and was in active practice for
more than thirty years, during which time he
served the public in various offices Of trust. He
was elected Probate Justice as early ns
the fall OF 1916, and became Circnit-Attorney
while Thomas Ford Wa Governor, acquitting
himself in that capacity with credit. A term in
Congress commencing in 1847 brought him into
participation in tho Congressional action that
pertained to the war with Mexico. In 1854 ha
was elected momber Of the Illinois House OF
Representatives, and became its Speaker. In
1861 upon the nomination of GOV. Yates, he be-
came member Of the Peace Congress which
sat in Washington, and, on his return home, was
elected and commissioned Colonel OF tho Fiji
teenth Regiment Of Illinois Volunteers. He held
that runl for eighteen months, when ill-health
compelled him to resign. In 1870 he served rs
member OF the Convention which framed the
present State Constitution, and was afterward
elected to the Lower Branch Of the State Leg
islature.
Mr. Sleeper spoke briefly from suggestions
contained IN the biographical sketch.
alr. Bonney mentioned the fact that Col.
Turner's name had once been identified with the
Presidency
AIr. D. ". Jackson said Col. Turner had never
been defeated in Stephenson County.
The Chair (Judge Moore) brought the speak
ing to close in = few remarks, In which he al
luded to the beauty OF the religious life of the
deceased. and the drmness Of his convictions Of
duty.
The following gentlemen were appointed to
present the resolutions to the Courts Of Record:
J. A. Sleeper, Federal Court; Robert Hervoy.
Circuit Court Leonard Swett, Superior Court
Gen. r. W. Smith, County Court; J. II. Bal1y,
Stephenson County Circuit Court.
Judge Dent was authorized to present the
resolutions to the family Of the deceased.
The meeting then adjourned.