We Made Wawanesa Index

We Made Wawanesa

Pioneer Businessman

Frank O. Fowler

 

 


Frank O. Fowler



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.