Happy Birthday James Turner

Happy 191^st birthday James Turner! James Turner was born on April 1, 1820 in Cazenovia, New York.  When he was 14 years old his family moved to Michigan.  James made many contributions to Michigan.  In 1855, James secured the construction of the plank roads from Lansing to Howell. Later, in 1864 until his death James helped establish the railroads from Jackson through Lansing and from Lansing to Ionia. 

James was also very active in politics.  During the Civil War, James was appointed Michigan’s Deputy State Treasurer.  After the war, from 1867 through 1868, James was a state Senator for Michigan’s 21^st district of Clinton and Ingham counties.

On October 12, 1869, James Turner died of typhoid fever.  To learn more about James Turner and his other contributions to Michigan, please visit our web site at: http://parks.cityoflansingmi.com/tdodge