James P. Turk, farmer; P.O. Piqua born in the State of New York, in 1810, is the son of James and Rachel Turk, both of whom were born in New Jersey; the great-grandfather came from Holland; the mother's ancestry were among the Huguenots who were driven out from Rochelle, France, on account of their religious belief; the parents lived and died in the State of New York; they were the parents of seven children, viz., James P., Mary, William, now deceased, Ann, Elizabeth, Ellen and Oscar. Mr. Turk, the subject of our sketch, was united in marriage with Hester Merritt, daughter of Nathaniel and Elizabeth Merritt by this union they have had eleven children viz., Mary, Joseph, deceased, William, Nathaniel, deceased, James, Margaret, Charles, deceased, and four others dying in infancy; Hester, the mother, died Aug. 2, 1879, aged 71 years. Mr. Turk moved from New York State to Ft. Wayne, Ind., November, 1842, where he lived till September, 1849, when he came to this county and located on the farm where he now resides he has a farm consisting of 166 acres, mostly in cultivation. His son James works the farm, and Mr. Turk gives the most of his attention to dealing in stock. He is, and always has been, a great advocate in the cause of education, and has taken a great interest in the schools by his own support and advocacy of good teachers and good schools.