Background
Turnbull, William was born in 1800 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of William and Mary (Nisbet) Turnbull.
Turnbull, William was born in 1800 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Son of William and Mary (Nisbet) Turnbull.
Graduated from the United States Military Academy, 1819.
Second lieutenant on topographical duty Corps Artillery, United States Army, 1819-1831, First lieutenant, 1823. Captain Topographical Engineers on survey of railroad route in Mississippi, 1831-1832. Assigned to construction of Potomac Aqueduct across Potomac River at Georgetown, District of Columbia, 1832-1843 (one of 1st important American engineering works).
Published Report on the Construction of the Piers of the Aqueduct of the Alexandria Canal across the Potomac River at Georgetown, District of Columbia, 1836, 2d report, 1838.
Chief topographical engineer on staff of General Winfield Scott, participated in operations from siege of Vera Cruz to capture of Mexico City. Brevetted lieutenant colonel for services in battles of Contreras, Churubusco, colonel for Battle of Chapultepec.
Superintending engineer of construction custom house, New Orleans, 1848-1849. Surveyed Whales Back Rock, Portsmouth, New Hampshire (U.S.) (for a lighthouse site), examined practicability of bridging Susquehanna River at Havre de Grace, 1850-1852.
Member board to examine feasibility of additional canal around the Falls of the Ohio, 1853-1856.
Engaged in lighthouse construction, Oswego, New York, 1853-1855.
Member board to examine feasibility of additional canal around the Falls of the Ohio, 1853-1856.
Married Jane Graham Ramsay, 1826, 10 children, including Charles North. Commissioned.