Born in Trumbull County, Ohio, Turner completed preparatory studies.
He moved with his parents to Butler County, Pennsylvania in 1825.
He moved to Lake County, Indiana in 1837 and to Freeport, Illinois in 1838.
He studied law.
He was admitted to the bar in 1840 and commenced practice in Freeport.
He served as judge of the probate court of Stephenson County in 1842, Postmaster of Freeport in 1844, and State district attorney in 1845.
He established the first weekly newspaper (Prairie Democrat) in Stephenson County.