William Fowler (Brothertown Indian)
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Mason C. Darling
David Agry
Mason C. Darling
Elisha Morrow
William Fowler | |
|---|---|
| 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 | |
| Preceded by | Albert G. Ellis Mason C. Darling David Agry |
| Succeeded by | Abraham Brawley Mason C. Darling Elisha Morrow |
| Personal details | |
| Born | c. 1815 Montauk, New York, U.S. |
| Died | October 10, 1862 (aged 46–47) |
| 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
|
William Fowler (c. 1815 – October 10, 1862) was a Native American politician and the first legislator in Wisconsin of known non-European descent. He served in the 1845 session of the Legislative Assembly of the Wisconsin Territory, representing Calumet County and other northeastern counties, and was later treasurer of Calumet County.[1][2] During the American Civil War, he volunteered for service in the Union Army and died of wounds he received at the Battle of Perryville in 1862.
William Fowler was born in 1815 into the Brothertown Indians,[2] at a time when his people were living on a small reservation in Oneida County, New York. He was presumably part of one of the five groups of Brothertown people who removed to Wisconsin, arriving on ships at the port of Green Bay between 1831 and 1836, after having traveled across the Great Lakes, when the entire tribe was removed to Wisconsin.[3]
Tribal affairs
Fowler was one of a seven-man committee elected at a civil township town meeting to arrange for the sale of tribally owned saw mill and grist mill(s) to two non-Indians in 1841.[4]
In 1854, Fowler submitted "a memorial of the Brotherton tribe of Indians" to the U.S. Congress advancing a historical claim for $30,000 as compensation for lands allegedly ceded by several treaties. He signed the memorial as the "delegate from the Brotherton Indians" and claimed to be "their legally authorized agent."[5]