WI BIO - Dane Co - TURK, John
Biographical Review of Dane County, WI. Chicago: Biographical Review Pub. Co. 
1893, Vol II, pp 607-608

John TURK, one of the prosperous and enterprising farmers of Black Earth 
Township [Dane County, Wisconsin], was born in Kent County, near London, 
England, 29 August 1817, son of Samuel TURK, also a native of Kent County. 
The father was a farmer by occupation, and five children were born to his 
first marriage. When our subject was only a year old his mother died, and 
later the father remarried, and the second wife took the place of the 
departed mother to the little stepchildren placed under her charge, making no 
difference between them and the three children she bore her husband. The 
father [Samuel TURK] died many years ago, some time after his son, our 
subject, came to this country.

John TURK did not receive a good education, as various duties prevented him 
embracing such opportunities as were offered. He remained with his father 
until twenty years of age, and in 1842 he left home to make his fortune in 
the New World. Sailing from London, after a voyage of six weeks he landed in 
New York, 21 July [1842]. He stopped at Albany [Albany County, New York?], 
where he remained in the brewery business for eleven years, working for U. 
BIORT, and the end of which period he came to look at the fine lands in 
Wisconsin. In 1851 he bought his place here [Dane County, Wisconsin]. His 
brothers, James and Charles, had come to the State [means the Territory; 
Wisconsin not a state until 29 May 1848] in 1843, locating upon a farm in 
Dane County [Territory of Wisconsin], and in 1843 our subject came here with 
his brothers, and on his farm made the most of the improvements for himself.

The marriage of Mr. [John] TURK took place in the fall of 1854, at Black 
Earth [Dane County, Wisconsin], with Miss Augusta OSLEY, who was born in 
Lincolnshire, England, coming here when a girl. They [John and Augusta 
(OSLEY) TURK] have had a family of eight children, but three of whom are now 
living. The names of the children were: Samuel, William, Fred, Hiram, 
Willis, and Francis, with those who died in infancy. Mrs. TURK [Augusta nee 
OSLEY] died 25 June 1888. The sons are all farmers here in Black Earth 
Township. Since he [John TURK] came here in 1853, he has not been engaged in 
agricultural pursuits. He [John TURK] is a Republican in politics, and has 
been in several small offices in the township, which he has held with 
efficiency. In his farming and stock-raising he has been very successful, 
and has raised a number of the finest horses in this neighborhood. Mr. 
[John] TURK is an excellent citizen, one highly regarded. [See also the Dane 
County, WI, biography of James TURK, possibly a brother of John TURK.]

Submitted by Cathy Kubly