Charles H. Turpin

Charles H. Turpin (died 1935) was a constable filmmaker, theater owner, and judge in St. Louis, Missouri. In 1910, he became the first African American elected to city-wide office in St. Louis. A legal dispute contested his estate.

He was born in Ohio and moved with his family to Mississippi for a few years as a child. Tom Turpin, a musician and ragtime composer, was his brother. Saloon owner and businessman John L. Turpin, proprietor of the Silver Dollar Saloon in St. Louis was their father.

In 1913 he arranged to build a 1-story theater building in St. Louis. He served as a constable in St. Louis Fourth District. The St. Louis Post-Dispatch advised readers not to re-elect him as constable.

In 1937, Time magazine referred to him as a "taffy-colored Republican".

Turpin was also involved in filmmaking. He produced short documentary films.

Thomas Million John Turpin Jr. was his brother.

He owned the Booker T. Washington theater in St. Louis.

Charles Udell Turpin was his son. He was noted as a successful Remington salesman.