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Benjamin Sterling Turner (March 17, 1825 – March 21, 1894) was an American businessman and politician who served in the United States House of Representatives representing Alabama's 1st congressional district in the 42nd United States Congress.
Jul 7, 2023 · Benjamin Sterling Turner (1825-1894) was an entrepreneur, business executive, civic leader, and legislator. Turner became the first African American Republican representative from Alabama elected to the U.S. Congress (1871-1873).
Apr 20, 2007 · Benjamin Sterling Turner, a member of the United States House of Representatives from Alabama during the Reconstruction period, was born on March 17, 1825 in Weldon, North Carolina. He was raised as a slave and as a child received no formal education.
Jun 11, 2020 · A new children’s book tells the story of an African-American who began breaking barriers in the post-Civil War South. “Benjamin Sterling Turner was enslaved for the first 40 years of his life," said Frye Gaillard, an historian and writer-in-residence at the University of South Alabama in Mobile.
Feb 11, 2020 · Benjamin Sterling Turner (1825-1894) was the first African-American elected to represent Alabama in the United States Congress. Elected March 4th, 1870, he served in the 42nd Congress from 1871-1873. Turner was born into slavery on March 17, 1825 in Weldon, North Carolina.
Represents Alabama in Congress. Turner became the first African American from Alabama to serve in the United States House of Representatives. Forty-five years old, he took office on March 4, 1871. Recently freed, he did not have years of background experience in politics.
In 1867 Turner turned toward politics and was elected tax collector of Dallas County and in 1869 Turner became the City of Selma’s first African American city councilor. In the 1870 Census Turner had reported assets of over $12,000, which made him one of the wealthiest African Americans in Alabama.
