William F. Turner

William F. Turner
Chief Justice, Arizona Territorial Supreme Court
In office August 22, 1863 – April 1870
Nominated by	Abraham Lincoln, Ulyses S. Grant
Preceded by	N/A (Newly created position)
Succeeded by	John Titus
Personal details
Born	1816 Milton, Pennsylvania
Died	December 1899 (aged 82–83) Indianapolis, Indiana
Political party	Whig/Republican
Spouse(s)	Harriet Miller
Profession	Attorney

William F. Turner(1816 – December 23, 1899) was the first Chief Justice of the Territory of Arizona, serving in that capacity for about 7 years. He presided over the Territorial Supreme Court of Arizona.

Turner was born in Pennsylvania, and lived for some time in Mount Vernon, Ohio. He attended Kenyon College. At the time of his appointment, he was practicing law in Keokuk, Iowa.

Turner was actually the last of new territory's three initial federal judges to receive his appointment, and the second appointed to that position. Arizona's first officers were appointed on March 6, 1863, and the new governor was to be John Addison Gurley. John Noble Goodwin was appointed the Chief Justice and William T. Howell and Joseph P. Allyn became the first Associate Justices. However, Gurley and Goodwin never held those offices, as Gurley died suddenly of appendicitis before he left for Arizona in August of that year, and Goodwin was appointed Governor in his place. Turner himself had initially lobbied President Abraham Lincoln for the appointment to Arizona's governorship, but instead received the post of Chief Justice after it was left empty by Goodwin's promotion. Charles Poston called him "Senator Grymes' man" and claimed he had been appointed due to the influence of his fellow Iowan, Senator James W. Grimes. Turner and Goodwin were both appointed on an interim basis until the Senate returned from recess in January 1864 to confirm them.

He was assigned to the Third Judicial District, which comprised Yavapai County, and held court in Prescott, Arizona.

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