#15210, Edward Rush TURNER

1901 census gives his address as Clair (or Clare) Lodge, Henley Road, Ipswich.  In 1847 took over his father's business.

Edward Rush Turner married 3 times:  first to Charlotte Julia Randall (1832-1868) who he married in 1853 and she bore him 4 children of whom we show only two; the others being Helen (1858-1872) and Jane (1864-1903) (Jane died unmarried).  His second wife is not recorded.  Thirdly he married Laura Ann Dawson (1845-1928) in 1889 but they had no children.

EDWARD RUSH TURNER, was one of the pioneer engineers who helped to build up the great trade in agricultural and milling machinery which this country enjoys.

 He was the son of Mr. Walton Turner, a leather merchant, and after serving a pupilage to the firm of Bond, Turner and Hurwood, he was sent to Wren and Bennett, of Manchester, to learn general engineering and mill-wrighting.

From 1847, in partnership with Mr. Hurwood, he carried on the business at St. Peter’s Works, Ipswich, and on the retirement of Mr. Hurwood in 1851, after conducting the business alone for a time, he ultimately took into partnership his brother, Frederick Turner, and established the firm E R & F Turner which now enjoys a wide reputation.

The company was successful practically from the first, and the works were rapidly developed. Edward took great interest in mills of all kinds for the crushing of cereals, and was an active competitor in the trials of the Royal and Smithfield shows. The manufacture of all kinds of implements was also undertaken.

In traction-engine work also Mr. E. R. Turner interested himself, and he is credited with the invention or introduction of the extension of the fore part of the boiler, so arranged that the fore-carriage might swing through a large arc.

While actively engaged in this work Mr. Turner found time to devote to municipal matters, and it is largely to his efforts that the present extensive sewer system of Ipswich is due.

On the death, in 1864, of Mr. Hurwood, who had held the office of Engineer to the Dock Commission from the time of the construction of the dock, Mr. Turner was appointed his successor, and his relinquishment of the post after seven years’ service was due solely to the increasing claims of private business. He served the office of Mayor in 1882.

Mr. Turner was elected an Associate of the Institution on the 5th December, 1865, was subsequently placed among the Associate Members, and was transferred to the class of Members on the 1st April, 1879. Not long before his death he was enrolled as an Honorary Life Subscriber.

An E R & F Turner steam engine was purchased by Cobbold & Co and remains at the Cliff Brewery to this day.  It is a sad reflection on our times that it is probably still there simply because it was too heavy for the vandals to take away.

November 2024