My Genealogy Hound

THOMAS A. FOWLER, who occupies the responsible position of Circuit Clerk of Pettis County, is a leader in the ranks of the Democratic party, and was chosen a candidate for this position in 18S6, and again in 1890. The first time he had a majority of six hundred and thirty-six votes, and at the election four years since he received a majority of six hundred and fifty votes. Several times he has served his party as a delegate to state and county conventions. He owns about three hundred acres of land near Smithton, this county, and was engaged in its cultivation when, like Cincinnatus, he was called from the plow to serve the public.

Joseph S. Fowler, the father of our subject, was a native of Delaware and was of English descent, as his grandfather, who was Captain on a British vessel, was born in England. Joseph Fowler was nine years of age when, with his father, he moved to Kentucky, the latter’s death occurring not long afterward. On reaching man’s estate, J. S. Fowler married Annie Johnson, who was born and reared in Clark County, Ky. Their union was celebrated in October, 1818, and some seven years later they moved to Callaway County, Mo., buying a piece of Government land, on which they lived but two years. Then, selling out, they purchased another tract of Government land in Boone County, Mo. In 1840 they emigrated to Pettis County, where they eventually became the proprietors of five hundred acres. In this county the father’s death occurred in October, 1859, and about seven years later his widow returned to Boone County, where she bought a home and dwelt the remainder of her life. He was a life-long Democrat, and held the office of Justice of the Peace for three terms. He was reared in the Baptist faith, but in after years became associated with the Christian Church.

Of the fifteen children born to Joseph S. and Annie Fowler, all lived past childhood, the youngest dying at the age of seventeen years. There were seven sons and eight daughters, only five of whom survive: Mrs. Hannah Woodruff March, of Boone County, this state; John S., who lives near this city; William, who is engaged in farming and fruit-growing near Grant Station, Oregon; Benjamin, a farmer of Audrain County, Mo.; and our subject.

Thomas A. Fowler was born near Columbia, Boone County, November 19, 1834. He remained at home and took care of his mother until he was about twenty-nine years of age. In 1863 he went to Colorado, and a year later started for Montana, taking freight over the mountains. He was one of the first arrivals in Virginia City in the spring of 1864, and was near there when nine noted road agents were hung at one time, and about the same period occurred the hanging of the noted Jim Slade by a vigilance committee. After three years spent in the mountains Mr. Fowler returned to this county, having saved enough money to give him a start in life. From that time until he was elected to the office he now occupies he was extensively engaged in buying and selling, shipping and feeding cattle and hogs, and in general agricultural pursuits on his large and handsome homestead.

February 22, 1883, Mr. Fowler married Alice Bohannon, a native of Smithton, this county, born February 28, 1856. She is a daughter of C. S. and Margaret (Ruby) Bohannon. Three children have been born to our worthy subject and wife, namely: Ruby, November 28, 1883; Maggie, July 4, 1886; and Anna, March 1, 1888.

For thirty years Mr. Fowler has been a member of the Masonic order, having joined the same at Otterville, and now holds membership with the Sedalia lodge. In September, 1894, he joined the Royal Tribe of Joseph. His first Presidential ballot was cast for James Buchanan, and ever since then he has tendered his allegiance to the Democracy.