Robert Leighton Turner was born 1808 in Yorkshire, England. He emigrated to Detroit, Michigan with his parents, William Turner (1770-1838) and Mary Leighton (1778-1836) and family. In Detroit, he was engaged in clearing timber and farming. About 1833 Robert married Mary Lee (1814-1865). The first of twelve children was born, a son named William L. Turner (1836-1893). In 1844 Robert joined siblings William, Leighton, John and Elisabeth in Chicago, where his brothers conducted a livery stable. Robert opened two large wagon shops that manufactured some of the first wagons to cross the plains to California, as well as the first dray to be seen upon the streets of Chicago. When financially secure, Robert purchased land in Richmond Township, McHenry, Illinois, where brother George had settled in 1840. But not until 1855 did he homestead a farm and establish residency in Solon, McHenry county. Robert's wife Mary was fatally injured in a house moving accident in 1863. In 1866 his eleven year old son John died. Robert was in the process of building a flour mill in Solon in 1871 when the Great Chicago Fire caused him great economic loss. The mill stood, unfinished, until it was blown down in a 1931 windstorm. Notwithstanding the tragic loss of his wife, infants and some of his children (young and those in early adulthood), and his financial setbacks and reverses, Robert remained a staunch Methodist Episcopal throughout his entire life. He died August 19, 1887 and was buried in Solon Mills Cemetery, McHenry, Illinois, next to his wife. He was "well and favorably known." Two daughters and four sons would survive him.
Robert Leighton Turner was born 1808 in Yorkshire, England. He emigrated to Detroit, Michigan with his parents, William Turner (1770-1838) and Mary Leighton (1778-1836) and family. In Detroit, he was engaged in clearing timber and farming. About 1833 Robert married Mary Lee (1814-1865). The first of twelve children was born, a son named William L. Turner (1836-1893). In 1844 Robert joined siblings William, Leighton, John and Elisabeth in Chicago, where his brothers conducted a livery stable. Robert opened two large wagon shops that manufactured some of the first wagons to cross the plains to California, as well as the first dray to be seen upon the streets of Chicago. When financially secure, Robert purchased land in Richmond Township, McHenry, Illinois, where brother George had settled in 1840. But not until 1855 did he homestead a farm and establish residency in Solon, McHenry county. Robert's wife Mary was fatally injured in a house moving accident in 1863. In 1866 his eleven year old son John died. Robert was in the process of building a flour mill in Solon in 1871 when the Great Chicago Fire caused him great economic loss. The mill stood, unfinished, until it was blown down in a 1931 windstorm. Notwithstanding the tragic loss of his wife, infants and some of his children (young and those in early adulthood), and his financial setbacks and reverses, Robert remained a staunch Methodist Episcopal throughout his entire life. He died August 19, 1887 and was buried in Solon Mills Cemetery, McHenry, Illinois, next to his wife. He was "well and favorably known." Two daughters and four sons would survive him.
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