William Fowler Fonds RG 178

 

Please note: This fonds contains language that reflect the time period when it was created and the view of its creator(s). This can include offensive and negative language, references, and stereotypes that are no longer used or appropriate today. The item(s) retain their original content to ensure that attitudes and viewpoints are not erased from the historical record. The Archives & Special Collections are actively working on including more respectful and representative language in our own descriptions now and into the future.

William Claus (1765-1826) was a son of Christian Daniel Claus and Ann (Nancy) Johnson. Ann Johnson was the daughter of Sir William Johnson. William Claus was deputy superintendent general for Upper Canada in the Indian Department. It was in this role that he created the ledger book extent detailing the transactions with the Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations of the Grand River, He and his wife Catherine Jordan resided in Niagara-on-the Lake at their home known as “The Wilderness”.

Warren Claus (1805-1880), a barrister was second son of William Claus and Catherine Jordan. He married Alice Jane Johnson and had daughters Catherine Anne Margaret and Ellen (aka Nellie / Eleanor).

Catherine Anne Margaret Claus (1856-1917) was the daughter of Warren Claus and Alice Jane Johnson, and granddaughter of William Claus and Catherine Jordan. She married William Henry Johnston Evans, a coal merchant, in 1906 and resided in Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. until her death. W.H.J. Evans, a widower, had five children, Avarine Maude, Ethel C., Madge H., William Henry Johnston Jr., and Laura Beatrice. Catherine and W.H.J. Evans lived at the Claus home “The Wilderness” for a time until it was sold.

Edward (1860-1941) and Annie (Wilson) (1859-1931) Patterson were residents of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. Edward continued in the bakery business established by his father Edward (aka Ned), but later worked at various other occupations. It is understood that through Annie Wilson Patterson’s mother, Maria Wilson (maiden name unknown) that the family was connected to the Claus and Johnson families. A notation appears in The Book of Common Prayer,: Nellie & Kate Claus lived in Wilderness. Cousins of Ann (nee Wilson) Patterson, Grandma of Dorothy Fowler, Great Grandma of William Fowler.

Grace Patterson (1883-1961) and Maria Johnson Patterson (1895-1975) were daughters of Edward and Annie Patterson. Grace was married to William Riddell (1875-1936) and Maria (aka Myrtle, Aunt Mert) was married to Edmund Richardson (1897-1942).

Dorothy Grace Riddell (1906-1994) married Harold Fowler (1901-1976) of Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ont. The Fowler family resided in a home on Prideaux Street. William Edgar Fowler was their only child.

William (Bill) Edgar Fowler (1931-2019) was a lifelong resident of Niagaraon-the-Lake, Ont. He volunteered as a firefighter and ambulance attendant for 35 years. He coached hockey and baseball, was an umpire and king scout, was an avid golfer and enjoyed fishing. William Fowler retired from NOTL Hydro in 1997 after 41 years of service.

Click here to view the William Fowler Fonds finding aid

Recent Submissions

  • Postcard - Polish Army Soldiers with Canadians
    1914-1918
    A postcard of Polish Army soldiers and their Canadian trainers including Lt. Col. Arthur D’Orr LePan [centre, with cigarette in hand]. There is a large group standing together in uniform in the street in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario. On the back of the postcard it is handwritten "Polish Army Camp Niagara 1914-1918".

  • William Claus Six Nations Ledger Book, 1804-1826
    Claus, William (1804-1826)
    *Please note: This record contains language that reflect the time period when it was created and the view of its creator(s). This can include offensive and negative language, references, and stereotypes that are no longer used or appropriate today. The item(s) retain their original content to ensure that attitudes and viewpoints are not erased from the historical record. The Archives & Special Collections are actively working on including more respectful and representative language in our own descriptions now and into the future. William Claus Six Nations ledger book, 1804-1826; includes Council reports of meetings between Government officials, including General Isaac Brock, and representatives of the Haudenosaunee of the Six Nations of the Grand River. Also includes ledger tables accounting for monies coming in from the sale of lands and monies disbursed to various First Nation groups. William Claus, a superintendent in the Indian Department acted as a trustee for the sale of these lands.

  • Postcard - St. Andrew's Church Illustration
    n.d.
    A black ink sketch postcard of St. Andrew's Church in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario. The back of the postcard reads "One of 60 historic buildings of the early 1800's in Niagara on the Lake, situated at the mouth of the beautiful Niagara River overlooking Lake Ontario."

  • Postcard - St. Andrew's Church
    n.d.
    A postcard showing St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario. There is some handwriting on the side and bottom of the postcard with comments about a wedding in Detroit, Michigan. There is some damage to the postcard.

  • Postcard - When Niagara Falls Ran Dry, 19 February 1909
    1909-02-19
    A postcard of Niagara Falls in winter with the caption that reads "When Niagara Falls Ran Dry, February 19, 1909. View from Luna Island Looking towards Prospect Park". The image includes the frozen falls with a large group standing next to the edge looking towards the photographer.

  • Note of congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Edward [and Annie] Patterson from the Ladies Parish Guild of St. Mark’s Church, 7 July 1931
    Ladies Parish Guild of St. Mark's Church (1931-07-07)
    A note of congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. Edward [and Annie] Patterson from the Ladies Parish Guild of St. Mark’s Church, Niagara on the event of their golden anniversary, July 7, 1931. Includes signatures of 31 women.

  • Three postcards - Two boys with bow ties, Mock military practice at Fort Mississauga, Scene in Hershey Park, Pa.
    n.d.
    A page from a student notebook that contains three postcards: 1. Two boys with bow ties, 2. Mock military practice at Fort Mississauga, 3. Scene in Hershey Park, Pa.

  • World War II Meat Ration Coin
    1939-1945
    A Canadian World War II meat ration coin. The coin is blue in colour and has a hole in the centre.

  • World War II Ration Book - Maria J. Richardson
    1939-1945
    A World War II ration book for Maria J. Richardson of Niagara on the Lake, Ontario.

  • Postcard - McClelland’s store
    n.d.
    A postcard of McClelland's store in Niagara on the Lake, Ontario. The post card is a black ink sketch of the store showing the street facing exterior of the building with a patron walking towards the entrance and two others looking in the direction of the storefront.

  • Especial Communication of the Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Canada in the Province of Ontario at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario on July 14, 1942
    1942-07-14
    Especial communication of the Grand Lodge, A.F. & A.M. of Canada in the Province of Ontario at Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario on July 14, 1942. Order of divine service at St. Mark’s Church Niagara, in commemoration of 150 years of freemasonry in the Niagara District, 1792-1942.

  • World War II Ration Book - Gasoline License
    1945-46
    A World War II gasoline license and ration coupon book, 1945-1946 for motor vehicle licence plate no 5T5 62.

  • One hundred and fifty years of masonry in Niagara Lodge No. 2, A.F. & A.M. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Tuesday July 14, 1942
    1942-07-14
    One hundred and fifty years of masonry in Niagara Lodge No. 2, A.F. & A.M. Niagara-on-the-Lake, Ontario, Tuesday July 14, 1942. Includes: Two Eastern Star items - a presentation piece addressed to W.M. Mrs. Grace Riddell at Ridgetown, Ontario, January 31, 1938- and, certificate of dismissal for Dorothy Fowler, dated October 1951 from the membership of the Order of the Eastern Star, Chapter No. 58, Ridgetown, Ontario.