A. J. Turner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Augustus John Turner
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Turner in Staunton, Virginia.
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| Nickname(s) | A. J. |
| Born | October 12, 1818 Spartanburg County, South Carolina, U.S. |
| Died | May 14, 1905 (aged 86) Indianapolis, Indiana, U.S. |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1862 |
| Rank | Chief Musician |
| Unit | Company Band, 5th Virginia Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Spouse(s) | Kate M. Aby |
| Children | Charles W. Turner Thomas Memory Turner Milton Stuart Turner George Aby Turner Frank C. Turner Katherine Turner Wash Cora Turner Freijs Maude E. Turner Claude Eugene Turner Florence A. Bancroft Carrie Turner |
Augustus John Turner, known as "A. J. Turner", was an American composer, band leader, and music professor. He was born on October 12, 1818, and passed away on May 14, 1905. Turner was the first director of the Stonewall Brigade Band in Staunton, Virginia. This band is the oldest community band in the United States that is continuously funded by taxes. During the Civil War, they joined the Stonewall Brigade under Stonewall Jackson of the Confederacy. A. J. Turner also taught music at the Wesleyan Female Institute and the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institute. He was also involved in the temperance movement.
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Early Life and Family
Augustus John Turner was born on October 12, 1818, in Spartanburg County, South Carolina. His parents were Samuel M. Turner and Mahala Johnson Chapman. His father, Samuel, was a farmer. Both of Turner's grandfathers fought in the Revolutionary War.
Before moving to Staunton, Turner lived in Middletown and Newtown (now Stephen's City), near Winchester in Frederick County, Virginia. He married Catherine ("Kate") Montrose Aby on July 1, 1845, in Frederick County. Kate's father was a shoemaker and a veteran of the War of 1812.
In 1846, their son Charles W. Turner was born in Newtown. Another son, T. M. Turner, was born in Middletown in 1847. Turner also spent time in Greenville, where he played with the famous banjo player Joel Sweeney in 1847. He also started a band in Middlebrook.
The Stonewall Brigade Band
In 1855, David W. Drake in Staunton, Virginia, wanted to start a band. He asked Turner, who had been his music teacher, to move to Staunton and help. Turner, Drake, and two other citizens formed the Mountain Saxhorn Band. Turner became the band's first director. This band is still active today. It is the oldest community band in the United States that has been continuously funded by taxes.
The band's first official concert was on July 17, 1857. It was held at Union Hall in Staunton. By 1859, the band was known as Turner's Silver Cornet Band. On April 4, 1861, Turner's Silver Cornet Band played its last concert before the Civil War began. Turner played the soprano cornet.
The Civil War Years
The band joined the 5th Virginia Infantry Regiment. This regiment was under Stonewall Jackson and Colonel William S. Baylor. They left Staunton on April 17, 1861. After the First Manassas battle, the band became known as the Stonewall Brigade Band. This name has stayed with them ever since.
Besides playing music, band members also fought in battles. They worked as couriers, carrying messages, and as medical assistants. The band often played concerts to entertain soldiers. They also performed in cities like Fredericksburg and Richmond. These concerts helped raise money for recruiting new soldiers, collecting clothes, and supporting war relief efforts.
Turner's first son, Charles, was about 15 years old during the war. He was an orderly and courier for Stonewall Jackson. A. J. Turner and his son T. M. Turner joined the Confederacy on April 1, 1862. They served in the Churchville Cavalry Troop for a time. Later, they transferred to the 5th Virginia Infantry. They were part of the Valley Campaign and the Seven Days Battles. They also fought at the Battle of Cedar Mountain. They were discharged on August 22, 1862, because of their ages. A. J. was considered too old, and T. M. was too young.
After the War
The band was started again in 1869. Turner was the leader, and his son T. M. Turner was the assistant leader. A. J. Turner led the band until 1884. In 1881, he also started Fravel's Cornet Band in Woodstock.
Music Teacher and Composer
Turner could play many different musical instruments. An advertisement from 1860 said he taught Piano, Guitar, Flute, Violin, and ballad singing. A later ad from 1896 mentioned he taught violin, piano, guitar, mandolin, cello, and cornet. He also sold Stieff pianos.
Teaching at Institutes
Turner's first teaching job in Staunton was at the Wesleyan Female Institute. He taught vocal and instrumental music there.
In November 1866, Turner became a music professor at the Deaf, Dumb, and Blind Institute. He taught music to students who were blind. He developed many new ways to teach music to blind children. People praised his students for their musical talent. His salary was increased in 1871. He taught there until the 1890s.
Temperance Movement
Turner was also active in the temperance movement. This movement encouraged people to avoid alcohol. In 1878, he was chosen as the Most Worthy Grand Chief of the Sons of Jonadab. This role covered the areas of Virginia and West Virginia.
Later Life in Indianapolis
In 1900, Turner moved to Indianapolis, Indiana. He went to live with his daughter, Cora Turner Freijs. He stayed there until he passed away in Washington Township.
Musical Compositions
A. J. Turner wrote several musical pieces:
- "Gallopade" (1857)
- "At Eve Beneath Stars' Soft Light: or Memories of Old" (1858)
- "Bessie Bell Waltz" (1858)
- "Pray Maiden, Pray" (1864) - with lyrics by A. W. Kercheval.
- "Palmetto Schottisch" (1864)
- "Spring time polka" (1864)
- "La Perle" (1875) - a melody by J. P. Kavenaugh, arranged by Turner.
- "Peyton Summerson's Funeral March" (1879)
