This is a transcription of the biography of Jonathan Fowler of White Creek from History of Washington County, New York with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some if its Prominent Men and Pioneers, Philadelphia: Everts & Ensign, 1878.
Jonathan Blackman Fowler was born in that part of the old town of Cambridge now included in White Creek, near the centre of the latter, on the 5th of February, 1793. He is, consequently, at the date of this writing (June, 1878), in the eighty-sixth year of his age. His father and grandfather, Abel and Simeon Fowler, were from Rhode Island, and settled on the original Fowler lot, in this vicinity, among the early pioneers of the county. Abel Fowler married Molly Brownell, of Pownal, Vt. They were the parents of seven children, —six sons and one daughter, —of whom Jonathan B. Fowler was the youngest. He was brought up on a farm, to which occupation he has devoted himself through life.
Mr. Fowler was married to Miss Philena M. Perry, Dec. 30, 1819. She was a daughter of William Perry, of White Creek, and was born on the farm now owned by John James, Feb. 19, 1793. They had children as follows: Minerva E., born Sept. 19, 1820; William Perry, born June 20, 1825; Cornelia Amanda, born Sept. 20, 1826, died Sept. 1, 1851; De Witt Clinton, born Feb. 8, 1828, died Sept. 6, 1855; Fayette Franklin, a twin brother, born Feb. 8, 1828. The three surviving children reside in the town of White Creek.
Mr. Fowler has been a Democrat since the days of Andrew Jackson, and has served his town in various offices, such as assessor, overseer of the poor, etc. He has been a man of strong mind and vigorous constitution, which have been well preserved by the strictly temperate habits which he has practiced through life. Perhaps few men of his years are more active than Mr. Fowler. He was called out with his regiment of militia in the War of 1812, and went to Burlington, Vt., but was discharged soon after McDonough’s victory on Lake Champlain. Colonel Hercules Rice, of Cambridge, was the colonel of the regiment.
Mr. Fowler has resided in the house he now occupies fifty-eight years. He has been one of the trustees of the cemetery association, and treasurer since its organization. Few men have lived so long in a community and maintained so unblemished a reputation.
Portraits of Mr. & Mrs. Jonathan Fowler