James Munroe Turner

James Munroe Turner was a Michigan politician.

Early life

James Munroe Turner was born in Lansing, Michigan, on April 23, 1850, to parents James Madison Turner and Marian Munroe Turner.

On November 7, 1876, Turner was elected to the Michigan House of Representatives where he represented the Ingham County 1st district from January 3, 1877, to December 31, 1878. In 1888, Turner served as an alternate delegate to the Republican National Convention from Michigan. Later in 1888, Turner served as one of Michigan's presidential electors. In 1889, Turner served as mayor of Lansing. In 1890, Turner was the Republican nominee in the Michigan gubernatorial election. Turner was defeated by Democratic nominee, Edwin B. Winans. In 1895, Turner served as mayor of Lansing again. Turner advocated for the policy of free silver, signing a non-partisan call for the policy in January 1896.

On September 20, 1876, James M. Turner married Sophia Scott Porter. Together, they had two children. On November 21, 1888, James became a brother-in-law of fellow state representative Frank L. Dodge when Dodge married James's sister, Abigail Rogers Turner.

Turner died on July 6, 1896, in Lansing. He was interred at Mount Hope Cemetery in Lansing.