The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1892-04-14
Granite Falls lriOune:

The following is short geographic
al sketch of Hon. O. B. Turrell, one of
the prominent candidates for congress
now before the people, with a brief
history OF his political life:
While the name of @. B. Turrell has
not been widely adyertisedin state po-
litical circles, it has been known and
honored in Redwood county since 1877,
when Mr.. Turrell first became citi-
zen. Before settling there, he had
been engaged in banking and real es-
tate at St. Paul since 1857, and during
that historical period made the ac-
quaintance of the leading public men,
the pioneers of Minnesota. He was
born in Connecticut in 1887, but be-
fore coming to Minnesota was resi-
dent of the Empire state.
Mr.. Turren came to Redwood coun-
ty as the owner of a large tract Of land
within it's borders. He foresaw the
future possibilities of this part of our
state as an agricultural section, and in
investing calculated that the ultimate
demand for farms would give him
large returns on his purchase. But the
Hateful grasshopper years had first to
be gone through, during which time
the big Turrell farm was great boon
to scores of destitute settlers, who
found labor and help there. Out of
this unforeseen series of lean years
Mr.. Turrell emerged with nothing but
his home section saved out of his large
estate, but from that time, like many
others If our citizens, his star Of pros
perity has been in the ascendant, al
though he is by no means wealthy
man. Six years ago Mr.. Turrell re-
moved his family to Redwood Falls,
and organized local building and
loan society which has been great
benefit to the town and little later
secured the organization of the Citi-
zens Bank, a tlourishing institution
which he has since served continuous
ly in the capacity of cashier.
If public men are to be judged by
their fruits, Mr.. Turrell's friends may
we'll boast of his public record. He is
no politician, but in 1883 was recog-
nized as the fittest man to serve the
county in the lower house of the legis-
lature, and did this SO acoeptably that
he was reelected by largely in
creased majority two years later, and
when again nominated in 1890, ran
nearly 200 ahead of Gov. Merriam,
and was triumphantly elected in spite
of the alliance landslide, and an ALI
ance-demot ratio combine against his
candidacy. At his first session in 1883
MIR. Turrell had the distinction of pre-
senting the bill establishing the state
BOARD of corrections and charities,
which became law that has been &C
cepted with universal approval. He
also got some much needed bridge ap-
preparations tor the benefit of his con-
stituents, and demonstrated his prac-
teal capacity and tact in accomplish
ing Legislative work. During his Sec
ond term, Mr.. Turrel secured the pass
age of the law reducing the rate of in
terest on school land payments, argu-
ing with success that the school fund
would get more benefit from a speedy
sale of these lands than from higher
rate of interest which deferred such
sales. He also fought through the
House high license law, in spite of
strenuous opposition by the liquor in
terest which finally defeated the meas
ure in the senate. But in the next
legislature high license became the
law. In the last Legislature Mr.. Tur-
ren took leading part in the efforts
of the Republican minority to prevent
radical Legislation calculated to injure
the best interests of the state. Having
determined in his own mind what was
for the best interest of the people of
the state, Mr.. Turrell was and is ut
terly oblivious to the temptation to
make record as class legislator and
a corporation destroyer. Personally
he is plain and approachable by all
men. He does not indulge in rhetor-
ical speech, but as talker is candid
and persuasive, and fearless to de-
gree.
Estes has removed to the Bunch
on Mill street, and is better
prepared than ever to furnish warm
meals and fresh made candies.
Ipay the highest market price at all
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