Joseph S. Fowler facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Smith Fowler
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| United States Senator from Tennessee |
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| In office July 24, 1866 – March 3, 1871 |
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| Preceded by | Alfred O. P. Nicholson |
| Succeeded by | Henry Cooper |
| Tennessee Comptroller of the Treasury | |
| In office May, 1862 – May 1865 |
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| Preceded by | James T. Dunlap |
| Succeeded by | Samuel W. Hatchett |
| Personal details | |
| Born | August 31, 1820 Steubenville, Ohio |
| Died | April 1, 1902 (aged 81) Washington, D.C. |
| Resting place | Lexington Cemetery, Lexington, Kentucky |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education | Franklin College, New Athens, Ohio |
| Profession | Attorney |
Joseph Smith Fowler (born August 31, 1820 – died April 1, 1902) was an American lawyer and politician. He was known for supporting the Union during the American Civil War. Fowler worked as Tennessee's state comptroller when Andrew Johnson was military governor. Later, he became a U.S. Senator for Tennessee from 1866 to 1871.
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Early Life and Education
Joseph Smith Fowler was born in Steubenville, Ohio, on August 31, 1820. His parents were James and Sarah Fowler. He went to Grove Academy in Steubenville. In 1843, he graduated from Franklin College in New Athens, Ohio.
After college, Fowler taught school in Shelby County, Kentucky, in 1844. From 1845 to 1849, he was a professor of mathematics at Franklin College in Davidson County, Tennessee. He then studied law in Bowling Green, Kentucky. After becoming a lawyer, he practiced law in Tennessee until 1861. From 1856 to 1861, he was the president of Howard Female College in Gallatin, Tennessee.
Role in the Civil War
Fowler strongly supported the Union. When the American Civil War began, he moved his family to Springfield, Illinois. He returned to Tennessee once a pro-Union government was set up.
From 1862 to 1865, Fowler served as Tennessee's state comptroller. A comptroller is like a chief financial officer for the state. He held this job during the time when Andrew Johnson was the military governor of Tennessee.
Serving as a U.S. Senator
In 1866, Tennessee was the first former Confederate state to rejoin the Union. The state's government, called the Tennessee General Assembly, chose Fowler to be a U.S. Senator. His term began on July 24, 1866.
As a Senator, Fowler joined the majority Republican group. He became the chairman of the Committee on Engrossed Bills in the 40th Congress.
Andrew Johnson's Impeachment Trial
A big event during Fowler's time as Senator was the impeachment trial of President Andrew Johnson. Impeachment is when a government official is accused of wrongdoing. During the trial, Senator Fowler made a difficult choice. He, along with nine other Republican senators, voted to clear President Johnson. This meant they voted not to convict him.
These senators felt that the trial had not been fair. They believed the evidence was presented in a one-sided way. Other Republican senators who voted similarly included William Pitt Fessenden, James W. Grimes, John B. Henderson, Lyman Trumbull, Peter G. Van Winkle, and Edmund G. Ross. Ross's vote was especially important. These senators went against their own party and public opinion.
Later Life and Legacy
Fowler did not run for reelection and left the Senate in 1871. He went back to Tennessee and continued to practice law in Nashville. In 1872, he was involved with the Liberal Republican Party. He was a delegate at their national meeting.
In 1875, Fowler was chosen to give a speech at a public memorial for Andrew Johnson in Nashville. In 1878, Fowler moved to Washington, D.C.. He worked as a lawyer there until shortly before he passed away. Fowler also wrote articles for The Magazine of American History and other publications.
Death and Burial
Joseph Smith Fowler died in Washington, D.C., on April 1, 1902. He was buried at Lexington Cemetery in Lexington, Kentucky.
Family Life
On November 12, 1846, Joseph Fowler married Maria Louisa Embry. They had two children together: Louisa Fowler (1849-1889) and James Bowling Fowler (1859-1887).
Legacy
Today, a collection of Joseph Fowler's important papers is kept at the Tennessee State Library and Archives. These papers help us learn more about his life and work.
