William Earle Fowler was born ca. 1832, a son of “Little” Mark Fowler (1785-1862), son of John Fowler “the Elder” (d. 1833).

William Earle Fowler joined the Confederate Army on December 23, 1861, enlisting in Captain Scaife’s Company in Unionville, South Carolina. This unit later became known as the SC 18th Infantry Regiment, Company A.

He again enlisted in Charleston, SC on April 15, 1862 when he was twenty-three years old. On the document below, he was described as a farmer, 5’10” tall, light hair and blue eyes born in Union District.

William Earle Fowler was wounded on August 30, 1862 at the Battle of Second Manassas, where General Robert E. Lee and his Confederate army defeated the Union army. The Union forces retreated back to Washington, and Lee led his men across the Potomac River into the North.

William Earle Fowler was sent home on furlough by September 1862. His injuries may have been severe enough to prevent his return to the army. There are no records of his military service after February 1863 when he was reported absent due to sickness.

William Earle Fowler married twice: first to Barney O’Neal’s daughter Martha (1832-before 1860), and later to Taylor Ann Harris (1840–1908).

Children with Martha O’Neal: (Although unlikely, Texanna Fowler may have been the daughter of Martha’s sister Elizabeth O’Neal)

• Belton Fowler (1850–1883)
• Mary “Molly” Jane (Marian) Fowler (1855–1927)
• Martha Nancy Fowler (1856–)
• Texanna Fowler (1860-1903)

Children with Taylor Ann Harris: (The dates of birth of the oldest four sons are not supported by census records; the correct order is likely Samuel, George, James Edward, Frances Marion)

• Samuel Fowler (1865–)
• James Edward Fowler (1865–1933)
• Frances Marion Fowler (1867–1935)
• George Fowler (1868–)
• Isabella Fowler (1872–1938)
• Augusta Ann Fowler (1874–1930)
• Nancy Ann “Nannie” Fowler (1876–1936)
• William Wallace Fowler (1879–1925)

William Earle Fowler died August 1, 1898, and was buried at Goucher Baptist Church Cemetery in Cherokee County, South Carolina.