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KANAWHA COUNTY WEST VIRGINIA - BIOS: TURLEY, Columbus Jackson
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Submitted to the West Virginia Biographies Project by:
Sandy Spradling
SSpradling@AOL.com
September 26, 1999
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History of Charleston and Kanawha County, West Virginia and Representative
Citizens
W.S. Laidley
Richmond Arnold Publishing Co., Chicago, ILL.
1911
p. 425-427
COLUMBUS JACKSON TURLEY, general merchant, doing business on the south side,
Charleston, W. Va., was born April 13, 1862, in Washington District, Kanawha
County, and is a son of Christopher Columbus and Susan (Glispie) Turley, and
a grandson of John Turley, who was one of the earliest settlers of Washington
District.
When John Turley came to Kanawba Coun-ty and settled in what is now
Washington' District, he found a wilderness which was but little changed from
its virgin state. After selecting his land he erected a log cabin and began
to clear up his property. It was the custom of that time for other settlers
to unite and assist the newcomer and John Turley found this neighborly
sentiment prevailing as men came on horseback, a distance of thirty miles, to
help him in his log-rollings, some of them having to travel for two days in
order to reach the place. Subsequently he performed the same kind service
for others. John Turley was a cooper and a boat builder and was able to
construct his own boats on which he would convey his barrels down the Coal
River to the Kanawha, and thence to the Licks, now Malden. He died in 1865,
at a goodly age, and had been a Union man throughout the Civil War. Three of
his sons served in a northern regiment. He was one of the founders of the
Baptist church in his neighborhood and his descendants have continued in the
same faith. He married a sister of A. M. Smith, who was once a - large land
owner and a prominent man of his day in Kanawha County. A large family was
born to this marriage and three of their sons-John H., Jackson B., and
Christopher Columbus, served in the Federal Army during the Civil War.
Christopher Columbus Turley was born April 30, 1829, in Washington District,
Kana-wha County, where he still resides, his home being with a son, Oscar B.
Turley. During his active years he was a farmer and also a river man,
working both flat-boats and steam-boats for a number of years. During the
Civil War he served for one enlistment in the 7th Vol. Cav., of West
Virginia. He is a strong supporter of the Republican party and still takes a
deep interest in its affairs and keeps posted concerning the leading events
of the times. He was married in Washington Dis-trict to Susan Glispie, who
was born in 1843 and died in 1899. She was a devoted member of the Baptist
church and a wise and tender wife and mother. They had seven children, all
of whom reached maturity, married and had children. Francis M., John C., and
George S. are deceased. The survivors are: William H., who has charge of an
ice plant at Mont-gomery, W. Va., married twice; Jene, who is the wife of
Cornelius Pickens, a general merchant at Charleston; Columbus Jackson; and
Oscar S., who is a general merchant in Washington District, and married
Jennie Chandler.
Columbus Jackson Turley has been looked upon as a successful man, prosperous
and well informed, for many years, but it required a hard struggle in his
boyhood and youth to secure an education and to gain a foothold in business.
He recalls conditions as they were at that time, with the old log school
buildings separated many miles from each other and as many from the homes of
the pupils. He was very ambitious as a student and held a foremost place in
his class one winter when he was obliged to walk two miles to school. On one
ocassion his father bought him a pair of brogan boots, but they did not fit
and the father had to make a week's trip in order to change them for another
pair. Snow was on the ground but nevertheless the lad attended school even
when it necessitated his going back and forth in his bare feet. This spirit
of courage and perseverance continued with Mr. Turley and has been a useful
asset. In 1887 he began work as a mechanic in railroad construction in the
southern states, becoming a contractor, and continued in this line until
1892, when he re-turned to Kanawha County and engaged in merchandising at the
Forks of Coal River, remaining there until 1896. He then went to Danville,
Boone County, W. Va., where he conducted a mercantile business under the firm
name of Pickens & Turley, also engaged in milling and operated the only
planing mill in the county. In '1901 Mr. Turley purchased his present
business from John A. Carr, who was formerly a partner in a produce company
and built the store building in 1897. Mr. Tur-ley has made many substantial
improvements since he became owner and has put in a large stock of goods. He
carries on a general store trade and deals in the wholesale line in feed and
flour, and retails groceries and vegetables. He also deals in corn,
ship-stuff, middlings, salt, lime, straw, meal, bacon, etc.
Mr. Turley was married January 30, 1890, at Birmingham, Ala., to Miss Almeda
Byers, who was born August 16, 1866, at Sterrett, Shelby County, Ala., a
4aughter of Robert and Ann H. Byers, who reside at Sterrett. As was Mr.
Turley, Mrs. Turley was reared in the Baptist faith. They reside in their
beautiful residence which is so situated at Charleston as to overlook the
Kanawha Valley. In politics Mr. Turley is a Republican. He is identified
fraternally with the Masons and Odd Fel-lows, also being a Shriner.
Sandy Spradling
SSpradling@AOL.com
State Contact for WV GenExchange
http://www.genexchange.com/wv/index.cfm
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