William Henry Fowler (1837-1928)

FOWLER, JENSEN, DECKER, WADSWORTH, BURWELL, BRUNER

Posted By: Ken Akers (email)
Date: 12/8/2010 at 21:52:05

Audubon County Journal (IA)
Oct. 18, 1928, pg. 1
Exira Pioneer
Died Saturday

--------
William H. Fowler Died Few
Days After Celebrating
His 91st Birthday

---------

The death of William Henry Fowler
occurred Saturday morning about ten-
o'clock, following an illness of many
months. Mr. Fowler was one of the
pioneer settlers of Exira and was the
oldest resident in years in our town,
having observed his 91st birthday an-
niversary on October 4. Funeral serv-
ices were held at the home of his son,
Oscar, at 1:30 Monday afternoon with
Rev. P. C. Jensen in charge. Burial
was in the Exira cemetery.

Mr. Fowler was born in the State of
Ohio, October 4, 1837, and spent his
early life there, and when a young man
learned the carpenter trade. In 1860
he married and settled down at Mari-
ette, Ohio, living there about ten years,
when they moved to Exira where he
has since made his home. As one of
the oldest artisans of his trade he has
helped to build many of the houses in
this vicinity.

On March 15, 1924, Mr. Fowler suf-
fered the greatest loss of his life when
his wife (Amelia L. Decker 1841-1924) died. He did not hope to re-
main long after her demise, but still
four years were added, which he spent
at the home of his unmarried son,
Oscar, who assisted by his sister, Fan-
nie, have endeavored to take the best
of care of the old father.

The Fowlers were members of the
Methodist church and helped to build
the church of that denomination in this
town. In the weakenss(ness) of later years
he sought comfort in the Christian
faith, in which hope he has died. As
a man and neighbor he was highly
esteemed and after he has enjoyed the
full measure of years we wish the
peace of God may be with his dust.
May his memory be cherished among
us for his splendid life.

He was the father of seven children,
all of whom survive. They are Wilbert
F. Fowler, of St. George, Utah; Mrs.
Alice Wadsworth of Henrietta, Okla-
homa; Mrs. Fannie Burwell, Elmer
and Oscar of Exira; and Ida Bruner
and Florence Bruner of Shelton, Ne-
braska. Twenty-seven grandchildren
and several great grandchildren also
mourn his passing.