My Genealogy Hound

J. T. Fowler is one of the prominent members of the Pope County bar, and is a living example of the fact that the profession of law has attracted the best talent of the country. He is the junior member of the well-known legal firm of Bradley & Fowler, and as he has resided in this county from his birth, which occurred June 17, 1852, the people of this section have had every opportunity to judge of his character and qualifications, and have for him the highest regard and respect. His father, Pinkney Fowler, was born in South Carolina, and during the Rebellion was a soldier for the Confederate cause and lost his life at the battle of Elk Horn, Mo. J. T. Fowler resided on a farm until seventeen years of age and obtained a fair education, only, in the common schools. In 1874 he began making his own way in the world as a clerk in the establishment of Russell & Bro., of Russellville, remaining with them during the winters and teaching school during the summers for two years. He then embarked in merchandising in partnership with J. L. Shinn, which connection lasted harmoniously for five years, Mr. Shinn being, during this time, a silent partner. At the end of three years Mr. Fowler was enabled to buy out Mr. Shinn’s interest in the business, paying $5,000 for his share, which he earned during the three years, as his capital at the commencement of his business amounted to only $300. They carried a general mercantile stock, and here Mr. Fowler continued until 1886, when he sold out his business and moved to Carden’s Bottom, Ark., where he followed the same calling for four years, and became the owner of 1,000 acres of fine bottom land. In 1890 he disposed of his stock of goods at this place and returned to Russellville, also disposing of his landed estate for $33,000, it being the largest land and property sale ever made in this section of the State. During the last five years of his mercantile life he gave considerable attention to the study of law, and upon his return to Russellville he began practicing, and this has been his chief calling up to the present time. He devotes the same untiring energy to this pursuit that made him so successful in mercantile life, and is proving himself to be a talented and thoroughly competent attorney. He is the owner of real estate in Pope County to the amount of 980 acres, besides his law office—a fine brick business building, centrally located in the town of Russellville. His residence is in the pleasantest part of town, and is commodious, substantial and pleasant. Besides this, he has four good tenement houses and a store building, which he rents. He has dealt extensively in horses and mules, and has $10,000 in stock in the Citizens’ Savings Bank at Russellville. His property is now valued at about $60,000, the entire amount having been accumulated through his own exertions. He is very careful in all business transactions, has always been an untiring worker, and these in connection with strictly honorable principles have placed him in his present most honorable position. He had one brother and two sisters. The brother is in the stock business in California, one sister is married, and lives in Sedalia, Mo., and the other resides in Russellville. Mr. Fowler was married in 1880, the maiden name of his wife being Sallie Carden, a daughter of Maj. Carden, of this county. Mr. Fowler has shown his approval of secret organizations by becoming a member of the I. O. O. F., and as an upright, honorable, and public-spirited citizen, has not his superior in this section of the State. He is liberal in his contributions to enterprises which he deems worthy, and is ever found ready to lend a helping hand to the poor and distressed.