As the western part of Canada opened up, the outlook
for new land
and new opportunities became very real to the people of
eastern Canada. This
was the case of the Fowlers of Seaforth, Ontario.
Frank O. Fowler came west in 1880 and with his father, William O.
Fowler and brothers purchased Section 27-7-18 from the Canadian Pacific
Railway. They farmed this land for several years.
In 1887 Frank Fowler married Bessie Nichol, fourth daughter of Thomas
Nichol of Souris City. Mr. Fowler for some years operated the Elevator
at Elliott's Siding. At that time the elevator consisted of a low
building and the grain was elevated by horse power.
He later moved to Wawanesa, where he built a large home on Second
Street in 1900. This home, prior to demolition in 1962, had been used
as a boarding house by Wawanesa Mutual.
Mr. Fowler served as Reeve of the Municipality during the 1890's.
After moving to Winnipeg in the early 1900's, Mr. Fowler was associated
with Winnipeg Grain Exchange. He served as an alderman of the City and
for brief time as Mayor around 1920. He remained active in civic and
business affairs until his death in 1944.
Adapted from Sipiweski, page 312
March 8, 1894
Mr. Fowler, like many other pioneer farmers, dabbled in business
ventures as need and opportunity arose.
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