FOWLER, Hugh C. - 1914

FOWLER, GLEASON, SLAUGHTER, CAYDER

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 7/8/2009 at 23:56:15

HISTORY OF
Cherokee County
IOWA
VOLUME II
ILLUSTRATED
CHICAGO
THE S. J. CLARKE PUBLISHING COMPANY
1914
by Thomas McCulla

HUGH C. FOWLER.

Hugh C. Fowler, who for many years was closely identified with agricultural interests of Cherokee county and who is now employed in the general store operated by Colby & Helin in Cherokee, was born in Rochelle, Ogle county, Illinois, in August, 1868. He is a son of James E. and Clarissa (Gleason) Fowler, the former a native of Pennsylvania and the latter of New York. The father moved to Illinois in 1861 and worked at the carpentering trade there for some time. He afterward bought a farm in Ogle county, operating this until 1882, when he sold his holdings and moved to Cherokee county, this state. He purchased a farm in Cedar township and continued to develop this for the remainder of his life, dying in August, 1908. His wife survives him and makes her home in Cherokee with the subject of this review.

Hugh C. Fowler acquired his education in the district schools of Ogle county, Illinois, and of Cherokee county. He remained with his parents until he was of age and then rented the home farm, which he operated for one year. At the end of that time he bought eighty acres in Cedar township and after living upon this for three years sold it and returned to Ogle county, Illinois. There he rented land for three years and after he returned home again operated the home farm for two years. Returning to Illinois at the end of that time, he associated himself with his brother in the general merchandise business and when he sold his holdings he came again to Cherokee county, renting land for one year thereafter. At the end of that time he bought one hundred and twenty acres in Cedar township and this he improved and operated for three years. The next year he spent upon the homestead and at its expiration he purchased another tract of one hundred and twenty acres, also in Cedar township. During this time he also owned land in South Dakota which he has since sold. After operating the Cedar township farm for one year he was taken with typhoid fever and obliged to sell his holdings. He invested the money in Kansas land and moved into the city of Cherokee. At the end of three years he disposed of all of his landed interests at a profit. For the first three years of his residence in this city he was rural mail carrier and for the past three years he has been in the employ of Colby & Helin, general merchants. He owns a fine home surrounded by four acres of land at No. 726 North First street and has planted three hundred apple, cherry and plum trees, from the sale of the fruit of which he derives a comfortable income. He deals also in fancy white \Vyandotte chickens. In addition to the property above mentioned he owns also another residence in Cherokee. All of his business interests are carefully managed and have brought him a gratifying measure of success.

In February, 1896, Mr. Fowler was united in marriage to Miss Mittie M. Slaughter, a daughter of Aden and Eleanor (Cayder) Slaughter, natives of Ohio. The parents went to Ogle county, Illinois, at an early date and purchased land there which the father improved and operated until his death, which occurred in June, 1904. The mother passed away in November, 1905. Mr. and Mrs. Fowler have three children: Verna C., aged fourteen; Ruth A., twelve; and Adrian E., ten.

Mr. Fowler gives his political allegiance to the republican party. He is a man whose life has always been in keeping with high standards and he deserves the full measure of confidence and respect now entertained for him by all who know him.