James Fowler (Massachusetts politician)

Following his education, Fowler did not actively pursue law and instead farmed in Westfield.^[1][2] He imported trees from England for his farm.^[1]

Fowler was a Democrat.^[1] From 1820 to 1830, he served in both the Massachusetts House of Representatives and the Massachusetts Senate.^[2] He was defeated by Samuel Lathrop for president of the Massachusetts Senate in 1830.^[1] He was a member of the Massachusetts Governor's Council for two years.^[1][2] He was a candidate for the U.S. Congress and ran as the Free Soil Party candidate for lieutenant governor of Massachusetts.^[1] He was commissioner to qualify civil officers for close to 50 years and was town postmaster.^[1]

Fowler gave land in Westfield for the state normal school and gave land for the town's public park. He opened and ran an evening school with his wife in Westfield. He was trustee of Westfield Academy and was the first president of Hampden Bank.^[1] He was a trustee of Amherst College from 1826 to 1838.^[2]

Fowler married Lucy L. Douglas, daughter of Major T. J. Douglas, of Westfield on February 9, 1820. They had seven children, including Lucy D. and Samuel. She died in 1840. He married Charlotte Whitney, daughter of Captain Silas Whitney, of Stockbridge on October 6, 1841.^[1][2] His sister Fannie married congressman Henry W. Dwight. Another sister married judge Joseph Lyman and his nephew of that marriage was judge Samuel Lyman.^[1]

Fowler died on October 18, 1873, in Westfield.^[2]