The John Turner Farmhouse at 1854 West Addison Street, Chicago.

Two horse-drawn sleighs wait in front of John Turner’s farmhouse at 1854 West Addison Street at Wolcott Avenue. Turner’s Lake View farm was about thirty acres. He was quite successful in business until he lost everything in the Great Chicago Fire in 1871, including his house (but not the farmhouse, which was about 3 miles northwest of the farthest reach of the Chicago fire). The Turner farmhouse sheltered refugees during the Fire. Turner lost his house in the Chicago fire. Turner relocated his farmhouse tenant and took over the farm himself and raised sheep, stabled horses, and pastured cattle. It's been claimed that Turner had the magic touch with animals.

Chicago Public Library Digital Collection: 1854 West Addison Street, Chicago. (No Date)

Chicago Tribune Article, Tuesday, November 20, 1888.
John Turner of Lake View is the proud possessor of an old-fashioned carriage which was used to convey William Henry Harrison through the streets of Chicago during the 1840 campaign [the 14th quadrennial presidential election, held from Friday, October 30th to Wednesday, December 2, 1840, which Harrison was elected the 9th President of the United States].

Mr. Turner then had a livery stable at Clark Street. The carriage, which had been stored away for over twenty years, was dusted off and drawn by four horses in a parade Saturday night, the 17th of November.

Compiled by Dr. Neil Gale, Ph.D.