The Redwood gazette., 1917-03-14
One of State-Builders Answers
Call after Eighty-Three
Years of Service
HAD EVENTFUL LIFE
Helped in Early Government of
State as Representative
of Redwood
HAD EVENTFUL LIFE
lBy julius A. SchmahD

| (By julius A. SchmahD
To pass away suddenly in the
zenith of a career is truly re-
! ferred to as being the glory of
public man. Certain it is that
to live long after the close of
public career results in the gen.
Grafton which one has served as
passing from the human stage
and its displacement by new
generation wholly unmindful, if
even cognizant, Of the deeds of
the man, public and private. This
is the case Of the late Orlando
B. Turrell, who passed away last
Saturday evening.
His name, like many other
names, so closely identified with
the history and progress of Red
wood county following the great
centennial year of 1876, calls
forth recollections of his bound
less faith in Redwood county, of
his efforts for renewed faith
spring after spring, and fall af-
ter fall, during all of the strug-
giles of the early settlers and of
his giving even too much of his
own worldly goods in a determi-
nation to prove that Redwood
county farming lands were
among the best on earth. Peo-
pie are forgetful, else in each
township of every county would
be set forth some marker con-
tanning the names of these men
such as Orlando B. Turrell-
who served as foundation stones
on which the builder builded.
Born in 1884
Mr.. Turrell was born rear
Danbury, Connecticut, in Sep
: tember of 1884, over 83 years
ago, and eight years later he re-
moved with his parents to Put
: nam county, New York. He re-
ceived some primary instruction
7 during his latter years at Dan
bury, and after locating in Put
!, nam county, his parents were
: able to give him the educational
: advantages, minor indeed, to be
found in the community. New
York did not appeal to young
i Turrell. He had studied the west,
}. so far as study and personal in
quiry could enlighten him, and
;, when number Of his young
friends suggested a trip and To-
: cation to this section he eagerly
E responded. It was in 1857 that
e he left the Empire State, full OF
: hope, full of enthusiasm, for the
:. state that became his future
: home.
: Down on East Third street
q st. Paul, there is still standing
the building in which he com
menced his career-the Marine
Bank building, wherein he en-
gagged in the banking and rea
estate business along with 9
e group of men whose names still
$ form a portion Of the early his
. tory of the city. Minnesota hac
lust passed into statehood. Its
credit was at low ebb, and this
a with the civil war years that
y followed, made banking an un.
: settled and doubtful business at
q every point. The Marine Bank
g weathered the storm for many
q years. but Mr.. Turrell was oh.
: liged to retire from the same
Z and he became more active ir
e the real estate business.
: Buys Redwood Land
: J. Wilson Paxton, after whom
Y Paxton township was named
was among the acquaintance
s which Mr.. Turrell made while
e residing in st. Paul. Mr.. Pax
ton, prior to 1871, interested
eastern capital in purchasing 8
large tract of land in Paxtor
township 5000 acres in all
$ The price paid was hardly more
) than nominal. At that time S.
Y per acre was a high price fol
Redwood county real estate. II
|. 1871 Mr.. Paxton induced Mr.