Copyright USGenNet Inc., 2026 All Rights Reserved USGenNet Data Repository Please read USGenNet Copyright Statement on this page: Transcribed and submitted by Linda Talbott for the USGenNet Data Repository http://www.us-data.org/ =========================================================================== USGenNet Data Repository Notice: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization. Non-commercial organizations desiring to use this material must obtain the consent of the transcriber prior to use. Individuals desiring to use this material in their own research may do so. ============================================================================= Formatted by USGenNet Data Repository Chief Archivist, Linda Talbott All of the above information must remain when copied or downloaded. ============================================================================= History of Manistee, Mason & Oceana Counties, Michigan H. R. Page & Co., Chicago - 1882 [pgs 61 - 63] HON. S. W. FOWLER The subject of this sketch was born April 5, 1829, in New Berlin, Chenango Co., N.Y. While yet an infant, his parents moved to Fly Creek, Otsego Co., N.Y., where his boyhood days were mostly passed. This, too, had been the home of his mother and her parents from a very early day. His father, whose name he bore, was one of nine brothers, children of REV. GEORGE FOWLER, of Monticello, N.Y., who had been the only son of GEORGE FOWLER, Sr., who came to America as a British officer under KING GEORGE II. The mother was gathered to her fathers in the old family burying-ground when SMITH WILLIAM, the youngest son, was eight years old, and from that time he had to depend upon his own exertions both for a living and for an education. When twelve years old he started on foot and alone to find a home in the far West, and in the first week in September, 1841, he landed in Detroit, then but a village, with only 25 cents and not a change of garments - hope, health, and vigor his only capital with which to begin life in the Peninsular State. He worked Summers and attended school Winters until sixteen, when he commenced teaching. For two years he attended the Romeo branch of the Michigan Institution, and then attended Albion College over two years, and other institutions, until, in August, 1853, he received his diploma as Bachelor of Laws from the old State and National Law School of Poughkeepsie, N.Y., and was admitted to practice law before all the courts of that state by the supreme court at Albany. Returning to his adopted state, he was examined for admission at Marshall, Mich., by JOHN VAN ARMAN, D. DARWIN HUGHES, and Mr. GIBBS (then state reporter), as examining committee, and admitted to practice. In December of that year he opened an office for the practice of the law at Charlotte, Mich., and met with very excellent success. He was elected circuit court commissioner by about seventy majority; afterwards, for three successive terms, he was elected prosecuting attorney by largely increasing majorities. In 1863 he was chosen for the state Senate by nearly one thousand majority. In politics he was a Wilmot Proviso Democrat, until, in 1854, at Jackson, he attended and helped organize the first Republican convention ever held. At that convention he was a member of the committee on nominations, and helped nominate KINSLEY S. BINGHAM, the first Republican governor of Michigan. He was also one of the delegates appointed from this state to the first National Republican Convention, held at Phila- delphia, where JOHN C. FREMONT was placed in nomination, RANDOLPH STRICKLAND being the other delegate from that con- gressional district; and for many years MR. FOWLER was chair- man of the Republican Central Committee for Eaton County. When the war broke out, he left a large and lucrative prac- tice, locked his office when the first guns were fired on Sumter, raised a company of 110 men, had them officered and equipped ready to march in nine days, and supported them at a cost of over $300 to himself, in camp on the fair grounds at Charlotte, and telegraphed GOV. BLAIR that they were ready to march. This is believed to have been the first uniformed company raised in Michigan for the war of the rebellion. A part of the company were soon after accepted and placed in drill camp at Fort Wayne, and was finally mustered into the United States service as Company H., Sixth Michigan Infantry. CAPT. FOWLER was credited with going into camp at Kalamazoo with the best drilled and finest appearing company in the regiment. At Baltimore the regiment took part in the arrest of MARSHAL KANE and the rebel Legislature that assembled for the avowed purpose of giving the state to the JEFF. DAVIS government. In early Winter, one battalion of the regiment, including CAPT. FOWLER's company, were ordered to co-operate with the New York Zouaves, and other troops, to drive the rebels off the east shore of Virginia. They embarked on steamers and sailed down the Chesapeake Bay to the mouth of a river up which the steamers made their winding way until the troops were disembarked at a small village seven miles from the rebel batteries at Oak Hall. The brigade was commanded by GEN. LOCKWOOD, and was at that time in GEN. DIX's department. After two or three days of preparation, the command advanced on Oak Hall batteries and arrived just in time to miss the flying body of the rebels and pick up a few stragglers, with arms and munitions of war in limited quantities. While the army were in camp near Oak Hall batteries, one night, while in charge of the pickets, CAPT. FOWLER learned from the negroes of a quantity of arms and ammunition that had been buried in a grave-yard a few miles beyond the lines, and with a detail of men he succeeded not only in capturing the arms and ammunition, but also secured a fine twelve-pound brass piece, and brought into camp with him CAPT. FLETCHER and LIEUT. CORBIN, of the rebel army. He afterwards commanded every special expedition of either cavalry or artillery or infantry that was detailed for special duty by GEN. LOCKWOOD, while he was in command of that division. He captured COL. PHINNEY, of the rebel army, and was assigned the duty of conveying him a prisoner to Fort McHenry. He also had command of the expedition that captured the horses and accoutrements of GOV. WISE, near Accomac, and of the expedition that broke up and captured the rebel smugglers on the islands at the mouth of the Chesapeake Bay. After serving in the provost department for several weeks, after his command had returned to Baltimore, at his own special request he was relieved from staff duties and per- mitted to return to his company, most of whom were old neigh- bors and warm personal friends. He received strong letters of commendation from GEN. LOCKWOOD, and a pressing invitation to remain on staff duty in Accomac County, but the desire to be with his men was stronger than any love of promotion, and he determined to share their destiny. He has scarcely joined his command, when the regiment received marching orders for Newport News, via Fortress Monroe. February 21, 1862, they embarked on steam transports and sailed from Baltimore. They were landed at Fortress Monroe, February 22, - WASHINGTON's birth-day, - and immediately went into camp,just below the battery, at Newport News. CAPT. FOWLER was with his command through the campaign on the east shore of Virginia, at Sewall's Point, Ship Island, Pass Christian, and the New Orleans campaign, including the first fight at Vicksburg, where, being disabled, he was sent to New Orleans Evans House Hospital, and, after several weeks, almost hopeless illness, his resignation was handed in, and he was sent home, as was supposed, to die. After several month's lingering convalescence he was able to be up. In the meantime he was nominated and soon after elected to the state Senate, in which he took his seat at the opening of the session. He was appointed chairman of the committee on military affairs, and on state library; was author of the soldiers' voting bill, and several other important measures. After serving two sessions, the State Central Committee paid him the distinguished honor of republishing his speech on national affairs as a campaign document, and an edition of 30,000 copies was struck off, one of which is now in the possession of the writer. The compliment of publication will be better appreciated when it is remembered that in both houses there were over 100 speeches made on national affairs, and this was the only one selected to be published in full as a campaign document. The Jackson Citizen, in speaking of the facts at the time, in its issue of February 14, 1864, gave him full credit; and commented on his action, as follows: "The Soldiers' Voting Bill. "The Legislature of Michigan did a good thing when they passed the bill allowing the brave soldiers of this state the privilege of voting. For the passage of this measure the thanks of the friends of our country are due to Hon. S. W. FOWLER, the able senator from Eaton County. MR. FOWLER labored hard and faithfully in the face of the greatest opposition to have the measure passed, and finally had the gratification of seeing it become a law. Had it not been for his hard work with the committee (every one of whom, except himself, was opposed to having a law of the kind en- acted) and in the Senate, the brave men of Michigan who to day are fighting our battles would not have the privilege of having a voice in the affairs of the nation, to preserve the integrity of which they are ready to die. The soldiers owe a heavy debt of gratitude to SENATOR FOWLER" The Jackson Citizen also published the report made by MR. FOWLER on said bill, in the fall, and in its issue of February 9, 1864, commented thereon as follows: "SEN. FOWLER'S REPORT. "On the first page of to-day's paper we print the minority report of HON . S. W. FOWLER, senator from Eaton County, on the bill to allow soldiers to vote. It is an able document, and as such we commend it to the attention of our readers. Those of our readers who are opposed to the measure, especi- ally, should read it. It is a candid, clear and argumentative paper, and thoroughly upsets the many objections urged against the soldiers having a voice in the affairs of the nation through the ballot box. We see the House has passed the measure; now let the Senate do our brave boys justice by doing likewise." At the jubilee over the fall of Vicksburg, held in Jackson, soon after that occurrence, MR. FOWLER made a speech, which was commented on as follows, under the head of THE FALL OF VICKSBURG. The Jackson Citizen, in its account of the jubilee, after commenting on the speech of GOV. BLAIR, MR. WOOD and others, says: "HON. S. W. FOWLER, of Eaton, was then introduced. He was listened to with marked attention. He mentioned the many brilliant victories of our armies, and gave MR. WOOD a good answer, and effectually overturned that gentleman's arguments. The rejoicing was kept up until a late hour." MR. FOWLER, while in the senate, was selected as one to pronounce a eulogy on the death of SERATOR NORTHRUP, and was on the committee to accompany the remains to Detroit. The severe labors of the session proved too much, and he was taken ill and confined to his bed for the last two weeks. He also drew up and introduced a joint resolution providing for a roll of honor, under which the adjutant general published a full list of the dead and disabled of the Michigan troops, and such list has since been written on parchment, and deposited in the State Library, in accordance with said resolution. See Joint Resolution No. 19, Session Laws of 1873. MR. FOWLER was the first advocate in the Michigan Legislature, of the measure for employing negro troops. He went to GOV. BLAIR, personally, with MAJ. GRUMMOND, to urge the formation of a colored regiment, and used his influence as chairman on military affairs to promote that object, until it became a success, and colored men were permitted a part in the struggle for national existence. In 1863 he had been appointed draft commissioner for the Third District of Michigan, in which capacity he served until after the close of the war, when he was honorably mustered out of the service. Home having been desolated by death, and health impaired by the ravages of a southern climate, he bought the Manistee Gazette, in 1867, enlarged it, and changed the name to the Times, and found employment in the then small village of Manistee, as editor and lawyer. Afterwards, in 1873, he purchased the Standard, and consolidated the two papers, under the name of Times and Standard, of which he is yet the editor and publisher. At the VANDERPOOL trial he was one of the attorneys for the defense, and incurred the displeasure of many friends and neigh- bors (who felt positive that the defendant was guilty) by being faithful to his client, taking him out of state's prison, and thus making a new trial possible. He delivered the address at the first agricultural fair ever held in Manistee County. The exhibit was in a small log house, near Hopkin's manufacturing store, in Bear Lake. In 1869 he was solicited by a committee of citizens, appointed without reference to party, to allow his name to be used as a candidate for circuit judge. The following was his character- istic reply: Manistee, Mich., March 24, 1869. "To the Delegates of Manistee County appointed to choose a candidate for Circuit Judge: "Gentlemen: - I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of yours requesting the use of my name to place on the ticket for the office of circuit judge. This flattering assurance of your confidence comes entirely unexpected. It is well known by those who have written me upon the subject, and others, that I have not been a candidate for the position. The duties are too arduous, the requirements too great, and the compensation too small to make it a place to be sought for by one who has a full and solemn realization of the responsibilities imposed. "The question of judgeship is of vital importance to all con- cerned. There is no power in a free country so terrible for evil, or so efficient for the well-being of society as that reposed in the office in question. The wrongs of such a place are diffi- cult of redress, and even the right of appeal is a remote remedy, and oft'times of little avail for want of time and means. For these and many other considerations, the office should be above party favor or partizan influence, and it should be filled by the choice of the people fully and fairly expressed. The situ- ation in this district at this time is peculiar. "There is but one candidate before the people, HON. J. G. RAMSDELL, and however well he may perform the duties of the office, it can hardly be claimed that all the people ought to be disfranchised who do not choose to vote for the one candidate, and yet, practically, this is the result if there is but one man to vote for. With these views, with charity for all and malice toward none, I sincerely thank you for the honor of your preference, and leave the whole case in the hands of the people, feeling that if only one man votes for me, he will have exercised fairly the freeman's right of the ballot. And if at this late day, the peoples' choice should fall upon me, under God I shall strive to discharge the duties of this high position, faithfully and fearlessly, to the best of my abilities. I remain, gentlemen, Your obedient servant, "S. W. FOWLER." The returns indicate that a change of about one hundred votes would have thrown the election either way. This was certainly very flattering, considering that the district was over two hundred miles long. The consent was only given about ten days before election, and there was no regular nomination or organized effort. THE GREAT FIRE At the time of the great fire of October 7, 1871, he was attending the supreme court, at Detroit, and knew nothing of the disaster until four days later, when the news reached him on his way home, at White Hall. He had the largest library then in northern Michigan, an office, the Times office block, three dwellings, barns, furniture, etc., all were swept away, including the contents of his safe. The track of the fire was from the southwest to the northeast, and swept everything between Oak Street and the Little Lake, leaving only one house north of the river, where there were about 400 inhabitants. Not a tree, shrub or fence post could be found in the district. All were literally left in ashes. He owed no man, had something due him, and his lots and land were left. He had an insurance of $4,000, of which he afterwards got twenty per cent, the companies having failed in the Chicago fire. The proofs and the carpenter's estimates showed a loss of over $15,000, besides barn, safe and contents. He commenced housekeeping again in a small room, with a few chairs, a mattress and a few blankets. In six week's time he had an office building up, 24x35, and two stories high, and moved into three small rooms in the upper story, and lived there a year, until his present brick dwelling was completed. This office was the first building up and occupied on Maple Street after the fire, and excepting the house of WILLIAM NUNGESSER, the first in that part of the city. Though not one of the earliest settlers in Manistee, MR. FOWLER may be fairly ranked as one of its pioneers, having always identified himself with the interests of the city and county of his adoption. Had he worked merely for self- aggrandizement, he had the means and ability to have amassed a fortune. Had he been unscrupulous as to principles and methods, he might have held lucrative offices, where "stealings in" form a large inducement. In after years MR. FOWLER will have the proud satisfaction of knowing that he has fulfilled the duties of a citizen, journalist and business man in a manner that will reflect credit upon himself and family, and made a record whose sterling worth will never grow less in the minds of impartial judges. ===============================================================================