Highland County Historical Society Hall of Fame inductee Paul Turner: A life devoted to preserving a legacy

By Steve Roush
HCP columnist

NOTE: This is Part 6 of a series leading up to the Highland County Historical Society’s induction of five new members into its Hall of Fame on Aug. 16. This week, we profile the late Paul Turner (1931–2019).

Ladies and gentlemen, Paul Edward Turner’s story begins in 1931 in New Vienna, but his life’s work would become inseparably tied to a place just a few miles away — the historic Gist Settlement in Penn Township.

The son of the late Clara Bell (Rollins) Turner and Samuel Turner, Paul grew up with deep roots in Highland County. After graduating from New Vienna High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy, where he would serve his country with distinction for 26 years. He retired as a Master Chief and was a proud Vietnam veteran.

When his military service ended, Paul returned home to the land that had shaped his identity. What he found, however, was a place in decline — and he made it his mission to ensure it would not be lost.

To understand Paul Turner’s legacy, one must understand the Gist Settlement itself.

Located near New Vienna in what is now Penn Township, the Gist Settlement traces its origins to the early 1800s and the will of British landowner Samuel Gist (c. 1723–1815). In a remarkable and complex chapter of early American history, Gist’s estate provided for the emancipation of approximately 350 enslaved people in Virginia, along with funds intended for their relocation, land purchases, housing, and the establishment of schools and churches.

Over time, Gist estate executors acquired more than 2,000 acres of land in Ohio, including tracts in what are now Brown County’s Scott and Eagle townships. In 1831 and 1835, an agent of the estate purchased 207 acres in what was then Fairfield Township (now Penn Township) in Highland County, dividing the land into 31 lots. This Highland County site became the last of the Gist Settlement communities to be established.

In 1857, the Ohio General Assembly placed the settlement’s trust funds under the control of the Highland County Court of Common Pleas, further shaping its long and complicated stewardship.

By the time Paul Turner returned home after decades of naval service, much of the land he loved was threatened by neglect and uncertainty. Refusing to stand by, he used $29,000 of his own money to pay back taxes and preserve approximately 150 acres of the Gist Settlement.

For Paul, this was not simply a financial decision — it was a personal vow. He believed deeply in the importance of the land, its history, and the generations of families who had lived and labored there. Those fields were not just acreage; they were memory, identity, and heritage.

He also had a deep compassion for animals. Because of the settlement’s remote location, abandoned animals were often left on the property. Paul took them in, cared for them, and gave them a home — a quiet reflection of the same loyalty and stewardship he showed toward the land itself.

In the years since, his efforts have not been forgotten. A Gist Settlement Legacy group now works to ensure that the remaining settlement lands — believed to be the last intact remnants of their kind — are preserved and remembered. Their mission continues to honor both the history of the settlement and the dedication of Paul E. Turner.

In addition to Paul Turner, this year’s Hall of Fame inductees include Dr. Brad D. Nelson, Ph.D., Dinah Phillips, Leslie Ramsey and Dr. Robert T. “Rob” Sharp.

The inductees will be honored during a ceremony on Sunday, Aug. 16, at 2 p.m. at First Presbyterian Church in Hillsboro. A reception and social hour will immediately follow at the Highland House Museum. The Highland County Historical Society cordially invites the public to attend and help recognize this outstanding group of honorees.

For more information about the Highland County Historical Society or the Hall of Fame ceremony, call (937) 393-3392 or email hchistoricalsociety@gmail.com.

Steve Roush is president of the Highland County Historical Society and has served as both chairman and vice chairman of the HCHS Board of Trustees. He is also a board member of the Highland District Hospital Foundation, vice president of an international media company, and a columnist and contributing writer for The Highland County Press. He can be reached at roush_steve@msn.com.