William G. Fowler
William G. Fowler, a prominent agriculturist residing in section 6, Bath township, has been a resident of Allen County since 1859. As he came here a poor man, he has gained his present prosperous condition only by hard and persistent labor. He was born in Tuscarawas County, this State, near New Philadelphia, January 13, 1834, his parents being James and Mary (Gifford) Fowler. His paternal grandfather, John Fowler, came to this country from Ireland and first settled in Pennsylvania. Later he went to Jefferson County, Ohio, where he entered 160 acres of land located between Jefferson and Salem. Here he passed the remainder of his life.
James Fowler was born in February 1804 in Washington County Pennsylvania, and came with his parents to Ohio in 1812, remaining in Jefferson County until he reached his majority, when he located in Tuscarawas County. He later moved to Knox County where he died at the age of 81 years, eight months and one day. He was a farmer, a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and a stanch Republican in his later years, although formerly a Whig. His wife, Mary, was a daughter of William and Barbara (Horn) Gifford, the former a native of England. She was born in Guernsey County, Ohio, and had passed her 80th year when she died at the family residence in Knox County. She was the mother of 12 children, 10 of whom reached adult years and nine of whom are now living.
William G. Fowler was reared on a farm and remained at home until his marriage, when he came to Allen County. As he possessed but little money, he rented a farm for the first five years. The first night in Allen County he and his wife slept on a floor and ate their supper and breakfast from a box. Many were the hardships and the privations endured while they were earning a home here. He first purchased 80 acres in Sugar Creek Township and later he sold this and bought his present homestead of 115 acres, 35 of which is in Monroe and the balance in Bath township. He also owned at one time 80 acres in Monroe and 60 in Sugar Creek townships, which he gave to his children, as well as an adjoining farm of 41 1/2 acres, which is occupied by his son. He has erected substantial and attractive buildings and otherwise improved his premises, more than doubling their value. He is engaged in stock-raising and general farming.
Mr. Fowler was married in August, 1858, to Isabella McClurg, who was born in Knox County, Ohio, August 11, 1840, and is a daughter of John and Jane (Robison) McClurg, both natives of Pennsylvania and pioneers of Ohio. Their family consisted of 16 children, namely: Mary J.; John S., a resident of Martin's Ferry, Ohio; William R., of Nevada, Ohio; Aetna Estella; James L., of West Cairo, Ohio; Lizzie Minnie; Jude H. ; Charles E., who died in infancy; Laura B., wife of Bert Mossholder, of Ottawa, Ohio; Montezuma, who died at the age of 11 months; Edward M.; Alfonza, wife of E. Crawford, of Columbus Grove, Ohio; Millard D., of Akron, Ohio; Josephine, wife of Erest Witteberg, of Columbus Grove, Ohio; Roscoe C.; and Zoe, wife of Glen Hooper, of West Cairo, Ohio. Several of these children are married and have families. Mr. Fowler is a member of the Christian Church and has served as trustee for a number of years. He is a Republican and was one of the " boys in blue" who went to the front in 1864 as a 100 day man, belonging to Company C, 151st Reg., Ohio Vol. Inf., under Colonel Marble and Lieut. Col. Richard Hughes. His company was stationed near Washington at the time of Early's raid.