Watertown weekly leader. [volume] (Watertown, Jefferson County, Wis.) 1906-1908, 1908-03-27
BISHOP FOWLER
DIES IN NEW YORK
NOTED DIVINE SUCCUMBS TO
BRIGHT'S DISEASE AFTER A
LONG ILLNESS.
HERO OF A LAKE DISASTER.
Led Volunteer Lfesavers Who Succeed
cd in Rescuing Lady Eigin
Passengers.
BEGAN HIS LIFE AS A LAWYER

NEW YORK, March 2O.-Ret.
Charles II. Fowler, bishop Of the Mctho-
3st Episcopal church, died at his home
acre today. He succunbed to Brisht's
disease.
Bishop Fowler had been il i'll health
Tor two years, but during nearly all
that time he took more Or less active
part III the affairs of the church. As
iate as two months ago be felt able to
make u journey to Minneapolis where
he presided at the dedication Of the
Fowler Memorial Methodist Episcopal
church. His last public appearance was
at Metropolitan temple on Sunday fol-
lowing Washington's birthday, when he
took part in a Washington memorial
service. His last visit to his office III
the Methodist building in Fifth avenue
was made last Monday. On WcdneS-
day he was stricken with the illness
which resulted in his death early today.
Born in Ontario, Can.
Bishop Fowler, who was II years Of
age, was born in Burford, Ontario, Au-
gust IL, 1897, and came Of English
stock. In 1871 he was taken with his
fathers family to Illinois where he spent
his early years on a farm. After study
Morris, he entered Genesec college at
Lima, n. y, where he was graduated
in 1859. He soon afterward began the
study Of law i'll Chicago, but soon after
this he was converted and at once
changed his purpose and began course
Of preparation for the ministry. He
graduated from the Garrett Biblical in
stitute, Evanston, H. He was APP
pointed successfully to churches in Chi
WIN no,
president Of Northwestern university. He
was ordained bishop in 1884, and was
sent to California, where he remained
until the conference Of 1884 moved hlm
10 indianapolis.
In 1896 he was again moved, this time
10 Buffalo. and continued his duties there
until 1904. when he was removed to New
York.
Rescued Lady EIgin Passengers.
While in Evanston, H., in the Cos,
attending the Garrett Bible institute, he
distinguished himself for heroiSm by be
ing the leader of volunteer life saving
crew which faced death again and again
in Lake Michigan and ut last succeeded
in rescuing many passengers from the
steamer Lady Elgin, which was wrecked
two miles off shore.
In 1868 he married Aiyra A. Hitch
cock. daughter of Rev. Luke Hitchcock
of Chicago.
In Chicago During Fire.
Bishop Fowler was acting as pastor of
one of Chicago's churches at the time of
the great fire, and it was he who sug
gested the plan of pooling the interests
of the different churches until all should
have time to rehabilitate themselves. AS
missionary secretary he organized Picking
university in north China; Nan King
university in central China; the First
Methodist Episcopal church in St
Petersburg; established the bicClay col
lege of Theology in southern California
and consolidated the three colleges i'll Ne
braska into the Nebraska Wesleyan uni
Ycrsity at Lincoln.
He suggested and inaugurated the
Twentieth Century Thank Offering of
his church, whereby more than $4,000
900 was raised for the church. He also
originated the open door emergency COM
mission, which eventuated in the great
Cleveland convention at which with the
bishop presiding, $235, 900 was raised in
a single evening.
He was trustee of Syracuse university
Drew Theological seminary, Madison, n
j.. American university; member of the
board of managers of the Methodist Mis-
sionary society, the Church Extension
society, F'reedman's Aid and other Meth
Odist societies.