Mark E. Turner
Mark E. Turner was a prominent businessman and philanthropist who was born October 29, 1893 in Mapleton. He was a successful potato grower and owned and operated a farm from 1918-1948. In 1917 he married the former Emily Cyr of Presque Isle.
Mr. Turner launched the postwar development of the central business district in 1946 by starting a construction of a two story building on Main Street which was to house the Sears Roebuck and Company retail store. He also constructed an adjoining building where the First National Stores Supermarket and Aroostook Valley Railroad were housed.
On November 2, 1964 the Turners donated a gift of $60,000 to the Presque Isle City Council to help finance an addition to the Presque Isle Free Library. The library was renamed and dedicated the Mark and Emily Turner Library on April 30, 1967.
The Turners were generous contributors to local charities and provided scholarships for area students and contributed to the area's healthcare needs by making donations to the building fund of the Arthur R. Gould Memorial Hospital.
Mr. Turner served three years on the Presque Isle City Council, was a director and president of the Presque Isle Hotel Company, and a director of the Aroostook Trust Company. He also held memberships in the Abnaki, Lions, and Elks Clubs.
Mr. Turner died on May 17, 1972 and is buried in the Fairmount Cemetery Presque Isle.
