Legislator Details
Vital Records Information:
Marital Information:
married Harriet Munroe, 1845, she died 1858; children: Mary Brunt (Bosworth), Ralph Brunt, Sterling; married Charlotte Elizabeth Bale, 1859: children: Charlotte B; and one other
Number of Children: 6
Background
Education:
public schools of New York State
Biographical Sketch:
Son of George and Mary (Thompson) Brunt, Irish immigrants who died of malarial fever when he was 3. His parents left him an orphan at the age of 3. He was adopted by Sterling A. Turner, a Virginian, and took his name. In 1835, at the age of 13, his family moved to Michigan. He became a clerk in an auction and commission store in Detroit. In a few months, he went to Cassopolis, and until 1840 was occupied as pupil, teacher and clerk. He studied law with A. H. Redfield and was admitted to the bar in 1844. In 1850 he abandoned practice from ill health and became a farmer. He was a delegate to the Democratic National Convention of 1876. He was editorially connected with the Cass County Advocate, later called the National Democrat, the first paper published in that county. He served as village president of Cassopolis, 1883-84.
Notable Facts: