Robert Fowler

Robert Fowler, a merchant, was born in Montreal, November 17, 1851, and died in April, 1903. He was a son of Robert J. Fowler, who was born in England in 1818 and was educated there. He was brought up in the cathedral, having from the age of ten years made his own way, becoming a choir boy in the church. In 1847 he crossed the Atlantic going to Sorel, Canada, with Sir Benjamin Levine and his staff, to teach the daughters music. In 1849 he came to Montreal and was the first instructor of the city to hold musicales. For forty years he was professor of music in the normal school and at different times was organist in nearly all of the churches of the city. He could play any instrument and was recognized as the best instructor in music, by far, of his day. He was also known to some extent as a composer and, in a word, his musical talent was highly developed, while his professional labors and influence were an element in promoting and cultivating musical tastes and standards in the city. His was an artistic nature. He wielded the painter’s brush with skill and he was, moreover, a great naturalist. He took deep interest in the city’s improvement and in all projects for civic betterment. He held membership in Christ Church Cathedral, renting a pew there for thirty-five years. His life thus became a potent force in the artistic and moral progress of the city. He was married in Weymouth, England, to Miss Annie Wadsworth and they became the parents of five children, who reached adult age but only one, Annie, is now living. The others were William, Susan, Robert and John Henry. The death of the father occurred March 14, 1900, and the mother passed away in 1911.

Robert Fowler supplemented a public-school course by study in the normal school of Montreal and started in the business world as an employe in Robertson’s dry-goods store, in which he acquainted himself with every phase of the business and gained practical experience which made him a successful merchant when he started out on his own account.

He carefully saved his earnings until his frugality and economy had brought him sufficient capital to become a partner in the purchase of a stock of goods and the establishment of a store. The firm of Fowler & Leishman was then organized for the conduct of a retail dry-goods business and after a few years Mr. Fowler was able to purchase his partner’s interest becoming sole proprietor. He then devoted his entire time to the business and enjoyed a liberal patronage, deriving a fair and gratifying profit from his investment.

In Montreal in 1892, occurred the marriage of Robert Fowler and Miss Amy Hamilton, a daughter of Robert Hamilton. Their three children were Gordon, Wallace and Doris.

Mr. Fowler belonged to the Episcopal church and to its teachings was loyal and faithful. He was a member of the Philharmonic Club. He manifested the qualities of good citizenship and was devoted to the welfare of his family, who, when he passed away in April, 1903, lost a loving and generous husband and father, while his associates mourned the death of a loyal, faithful friend.