Godfrey Butler Fowler was born January 20, 1837. He was a son of Joseph Fowler, son of Godfrey Fowler, son of Henry Ellis Fowler.

The Honorable Godfrey B. Fowler was a surveyor, a structural engineer who built bridges, a leader of community organizations, and a politician. He was elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives from Union County and served 1888-1891 and 1894-1896.

He was also a Confederate soldier.

On April 13, 1861, twenty-six year old Godfrey Fowler enlisted in J.Q. Carpenter’s Company, 5th Regiment SC Volunteers in Spartanburg, SC. This Company later became SC 5th Regiment Infantry 1st Company G.

He was transferred to Captain Glenn’s Company on August 31, 1861 by order of Colonel Jenkins.

Private Godfrey B. Fowler became ill on July 23, 1862. He was admitted into the General Hospital at Camp Winder near Richmond Virginia with the disease “feb remitt” (remittent fever?) on September 15, 1862.

He was given a furlough for 30 days on October 10, 1862.

Two months later, Godfrey Butler Fowler joined the ranks of the lucky. He was discharged from the Confederate Army on January 10, 1863 by the Examining Board in Columbia, SC.

Godfrey Butler Fowler married Louisa Jane Mitchell (1844–1921) upon his return from battle. She was the widow of a Confederate soldier killed in battle —Benson Horn. Godfrey Fowler and his bride Louisa Jane had one son: Nathaniel Steedman Fowler born in 1867.

Godfrey Butler Fowler died at home on April 2, 1906, and the old soldier was laid to rest at Gilead Baptist Church Cemetery.