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Note: OTTO FOWLE needs not a special introduction to the readers of this volume, but the work would be incomplete without the record of his life. No man in Sault de Ste. Marie has been more prominently connected with the business and political history of the community or has taken a more active part in its upbuilding and progress. He has ever cheerfully given his support to those enterprises that tend to public development, and his name is synonymous with honorable business dealing. He is recognized as one of the invaluable citizens of this locality, and as president of the First National Bank of Sault de Ste. Maire he is prominently connected with its monetary affairs. Mr. Fowle is numbered among Michigan�s native sons, his birth having occurred in Hillsdale on the 9th of January, 1852. He is of English decent, the family having been founded in America by the grandfather, who crossed the Atlantic from London in 1780. The father, Charles Fowle, was born in Livingston County, New York, and having attained to years of maturity married Statira Kies, by whom he had six children. He became one of the pioneers of Hillsdale County, Michigan, emigrating westward at an early day, and built the first bridge across Raisin river. He was otherwise identified with the upbuilding of the county and with opening it up to civilization, and was recognized as one of the leading and influential citizens of the community. His death occurred in 1889, at the ripe old age of seventy-nine years. In his early years Otto Fowle attended the district schools of the neighborhood, but most of his time was given to aiding his father in the labors of the home farm until sixteen years of age, when he determined to acquire a good education. Possessed of a worthy ambition to make the most of life, and realizing how essential is a good education, he took up more advanced studies than had hitherto claimed his attention, and completed the literary course in the University of Michigan, at which he was graduated in the class of 1875. During the summer months he still aided in the labors of the home farm, and thus received the physical training without which mental training cannot accomplish the desired result for the individual. Immediately on leaving the university he began reading law in the office of E. L. & M. B. Koon, of Hillsdale, and was admitted to the bar in 1877, before Judge D.L. Pratt. Opening an office at Hillsdale, he was soon in command of a satisfactory and constantly increasing practice, from which he derived a good income; but his health at length failed him and he was forced to abandon his chosen profession. His talents eminently fitted him for the law, and before judge and jury he was an able advocate whose worth was widely recognized among his professional brethren. While living in Hillsdale, he was elected on the Republican ticket as Circuit Court Commissioner for Hillsdale County, in which capacity he served for two years. Mr. Fowle has been a resident of Sault de Ste. Marie since 1883. He reached the place in February, when on a prospecting tour, and while there arranged to open a bank, the city then having no institution of that character. There was no bank nearer than St. Ignace on one side and Marquette on the other, and no means of communication and exchange between them except by dog-cart in winter and livery or stage in summer. Mr. Fowle has made many of these trips with thousands of dollars in his possession. A partnership was formed with E. H. Mead, and on the 15th of July, 1883, on Water Street, they opened the doors of the Chippewa County Bank to the public. The institution was capitalized for $10,000, and business prospects seemed bright. The new enterprise was successfully managed and conducted, and in 1886 was transformed into a national bank, but the day on which they received their charter the greater portion of the city was destroyed by fire, including their bank building; but, undaunted, with characteristic energy, they made arrangements for temporary quarters and began at once the erection fo the First National Bank Building, which was completed in 1887, at a cost of $46,000. The new institution was capitalized for $50,000, and has a surplus of $25,000 and $200,000 in deposits. The following officers were elected: Otto Fowle, present; Edward H. Mead, cashier, and Henry W. Seymour, vice-president; and these gentlemen are still occupying those positions. Under the able administration of the officers the institution has become one of the leading monetary concerns of this region, worthy of a liberal patronage; for a safe and conservative method is followed, and the business affairs are conducted on the most honorable and approved business principles. June 30, 1880, ere coming to this city, Mr. Fowle was married, having led to the marriage altar in Hillsdale Miss Jennie E. Mead, daughter of P. Mead, and a sister of E.H. Mead, who is interested with our subject in the bank. This worthy couple have a large circle of friends and acquaintances in the community, and are highly esteemed by all who know them. Mr. Fowle has indeed been one of the leading factors in promoting the welfare of Sault de Ste. Marie, and her progress and upbuilding is due in no small degree to his earnest efforts in her behalf. He took an active interest in securing the water works and sewage system, and was one of the first Water Commissioners of the city. He was one of the organizers of the Chamber of Commerce in 1887, and was elected its first president, being again called to that office in 1889 and 1895. He was a moving spirit in the formation of the Building & Loan Association, in which h e has served as director and treasurer; was one of the originators of the St. Mary�s Falls Water Power Company, on which water power has been expended $400,000; and he aided in establishing, and was one of the directors of, the Sault Savings Bank. He is known as a man who will uphold and support any enterprise or interest which he believes calculated to add to the prosperity, growth and advancement of the city. Educational, moral and social interest are befriended by him, and while serving as Mayor of the city, to which office he was called in 1889 for two years term, he did much for public improvement. He is a man of keen discrimination, or foresight and excellent executive ability, with an untarnished private record and an unblemished public career, and upon the rolls of Sault Sainte de Marie�s honored citizens his name deserves an honored place. http://72.14.253.104/search?q=cache:l8Hlbk7Z_HoJ:www.rootsweb.com/~michcgs/Otto_Fowle.html+statira+kies&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=1&gl=us
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