Smith Spangler TURNER, Congress, VA (1842-1898)
TURNER, Smith Spangler, a Representative from Virginia; born in Warren County, Va., November 21, 1842; cadet at the Virginia Military Institute, Lexington, Va., when the Civil War commenced, and was subsequently given an honorary diploma; enlisted in the Confederate Army in 1861; served with Gen. T.J. Jackson as drill officer; an officer of Pickettâs division during the remainder of the war; taught mathematics in a female seminary in Winchester, Va., 1865-1867; studied law; was admitted to the bar in 1869 and commenced practice in Front Royal, Va.; member of the State house of delegates 1869-1872; prosecuting attorney for Warren County, Va., 1874-1879; member of the State board of visitors of the Virginia Military Institute for eight years; elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-third Congress to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Charles T. OâFerrall; reelected to the Fifty-fourth Congress and served from January 30, 1894, to March 3, 1897; was not a candidate for renomination in 1896; died in Front Royal, Va., April 8, 1898; interment in Prospect Hill Cemetery.
Source: Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, 1771-Present
