In 1886 Mr. Robinson was united in marriage to Miss Laura Cornwell, who was a daughter of James M. and Mary Ann (Stott) Cornwell. She survives her husband and is widely and favorably known in Walla Walla, where she has an extensive circle of warm friends. On the 4th of December, 1915, she was called upon to mourn the loss of her husband, who on that day was called to his final rest. He was a member of the Foresters and of the Masonic fraternity and exemplified in his life the beneficent spirit of the craft which is based upon a recognition of the brotherhood of man. He was ever ready to extend a helping hand where aid was needed and he possessed many sterling traits of character which won for him the high regard, confidence and goodwill of all with whom he was associated.
Since her husband's death Mrs. Robinson has resided in Walla Walla, where she is well known. She is a member of the Sunshine Club; the Shakespeare Club; the Eastern Star; and the Presbyterian church. She is also an active worker for the Red Cross. During the latter years of his life Mr. and Mrs. Robinson spent much time in travel, making a trip to Europe in 1910 during the Oberammergau sacred festival which they saw. They also visited Alaska and spent much time on the Sound and several winters in California.
BEN M. TURNER.
Ben M. Turner is a self-made man of Columbia county who from pioneer times has been identified with the agricultural development and with kindred interests in southeastern Washington. Starting out empty-handed, he possessed energy and determination, together with a keen sagacity that has enabled him to recognize and utilize opportunities which others have passed heedlessly by. He now resides on section 19, township 11 north, range 40 east, in Columbia county, and has become well known as a farmer, as a breeder of Belgian horses and as a grain dealer and warehouse man. He was born in Scotland county, Missouri, March 15, 1854, a son of John and Mary (Powers) Turner, the former a native of Virginia, while the latter was born in Indiana. They were married, however, in Missouri, having removed with their respective parents to that state in early life. In 1865 they crossed the plains with ox teams to Oregon, being six months in making the journey. On their arrival they located in Yamhill county, that state, where they lived for about six years and in March, 1871, came to Washington. They took up their abode on Whiskey creek, in what is now Columbia county but was then a part of Walla Walla county, and the father preempted a quarter section of land, upon which he continued to reside until called to his final home.
Ben M. Turner was educated in the district schools but his opportunities in that direction were quite limited. He was a youth of eleven years at the time of the emigration to the northwest and he became an active factor in assisting his father in the arduous task of developing and improving a new farm. Day after day saw him in the fields working to break the sod and cultivate crops, and on reaching his twenty-first year he began farming for himself. He purchased a quit claim to a preemption of one hundred and sixty acres, on which he proved up, and with that tract as a beginning he had extended his farm holdings until he was one of the largest landowners of this section of the state. Of recent years, however, he has disposed of all but two sections of land, which is now being operated by tenants. He retired from active farming, although for many years he was extensively and successfully engaged in the tilling of the soil. He not only brought his fields under a high state of cultivation and demonstrated the possibility of producing fine crops in this section of the state but he also engaged in the breeding of Belgian horses. He secured two of the best mares in the northwest and his horses afterward received awards at the Washington State Fair at North Yakima, the Walla Walla fair and the Cascade Stock Show at North Yakima. In fact he has won premiums on his stock at many fairs in the northwest. Since retiring from active farm work he has given his attention to the grain business and owns and operates an elevator at Turner and is also in charge of the warehouses of the Portland Milling Company at Turner, handling about two hundred and fifty thousand bushels of grain in 1916. He is thus connected with extensive and important business interests, which are carefully directed, for he is a man of sound judgment, keen discrimination and of unfaltering industry.
In January, 1905, Mr. Turner was married to Miss Anna Brofsky, of Dayton. He belongs to Columbia Lodge, No. 26, F. & A. M., and Dayton Chapter, No. 5, R. A. M., and is a most worthy follower of the craft, exemplifying in his life its beneficent teachings concerning the brotherhood of mankind and the obligations thereby imposed. In politics he has always been a democrat but never has he sought public office, preferring to concentrate his energies and attention upon his business interests, which have gained him place among the most substantial citizens of southeastern Washington.
CHARLES M. TAYLOR.