William Fowler (Brothertown Indian) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Fowler
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| Member of the House of Representatives of the Wisconsin Territory from the Brown, Calumet, Fond du Lac, Manitowoc, Marquette, Portage, Sheboygan, and Winnebago district | |
| In office January 6, 1845 – January 5, 1846 Serving with Mason C. Darling and Abraham Brawley
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| Preceded by | Albert G. Ellis Mason C. Darling David Agry |
| Succeeded by | Abraham Brawley Mason C. Darling Elisha Morrow |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 1815 Montauk, New York, U.S. |
| Died | October 10, 1862 (aged 46–47) Sulphur Springs, Virginia, C.S.A. |
| Cause of death | Wounds received at Battle of Perryville |
| Resting place | Camp Nelson National Cemetery, Nicholasville, Kentucky |
| Spouse | Mary Brushel |
| Children | several |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch/service |  United States ArmyUnion Army |
| Years of service | 1862 |
| Rank |  Sergeant |
| Unit | 21st Wis. Vol. Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War
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William Fowler (1815 – October 10, 1862) was a Native American leader and politician. He made history as the first non-white lawmaker in Wisconsin.
Fowler served in the Wisconsin Territory's government in 1845. He represented Calumet County and other areas in northeastern Wisconsin. Later, he became the treasurer for Calumet County. During the American Civil War, he joined the Union Army. Sadly, he died in 1862 from injuries he received during the Battle of Perryville.
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William Fowler's Early Life
William Fowler was born in 1815. He was a member of the Brothertown Indians tribe. At the time, his people lived on a small reservation in Oneida County, New York.
Between 1831 and 1836, the Brothertown people moved to Wisconsin. They traveled across the Great Lakes on ships to Green Bay. This move was part of a larger effort to relocate Native American tribes.
Working for His Tribe
William Fowler was an important leader for the Brothertown Indians. In 1841, he was part of a seven-person committee. This group was chosen to help sell the tribe's sawmills and gristmills to people who were not Native American.
In 1854, Fowler spoke up for his tribe to the U.S. Congress. He sent a special request, called a "memorial," asking for $30,000. This money was meant to pay for lands that the tribe had given up in earlier treaties. Fowler signed the request as the "delegate from the Brotherton Indians." This showed he was their official representative.
A Pioneer in Politics
William Fowler served in the government of the Wisconsin Territory. He was a Representative in the Territorial Assembly from January to February 1845. He represented a large district that included Calumet, Manitowoc, Sheboygan, Brown, Fond du Lac, Marquette, Portage, and Winnebago counties.
He was known as a "Brothertown Indian" in official records. Fowler was one of only three Brothertown Indians to serve in Wisconsin's government before the American Civil War. For many years, he was one of the very few non-white members of that group.
In 1856, Fowler continued his public service. He was elected as a vice-president of the Calumet County Agricultural Society. Later that same year, he became the County Treasurer for Calumet County.
Service and Sacrifice in the Civil War
When he was in his late 40s, William Fowler joined the United States Army. He became a soldier in the 21st Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War.
His first time in a battle was at the Battle of Perryville. Sadly, he was wounded during this fight. William Fowler died from his injuries on October 10, 1862, in Sulphur Springs, Virginia.
