BIOGRAPHY: Denton Fowler; Haverstraw, Rockland co., New York

transcribed by W. David Samuelsen for USGenWeb Archives

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Portrait and Biographical Record of Rockland and Orange Counties New York
Containing Portraits and Biographical Sketches of Prominent and Representative
Citizens of the Counties.
Together with Biographies and Portraits of all the Presidents of the United
States.
New York and Chicago; Chapman Publishing Co., 1895

DENTON FOWLER, President of the People's National Bank of Haverstraw, and one
of the oldest and most extensive brick manufacturers in the Hudson Valley, was
born in Orange County, four miles north of Newburgh, December 6, 1825. He is a
son of Levi Q. Fowler, who, though a native of Ulster County, was reared from
early boyhood in Orange County, and there married Lucretia, daughter of
Solomon and Mary Purdy. About 1843 he and his wife moved to Newburgh, where he
continued to follow the occupation of a brick-maker, owning a yard five miles
from the city. After some years spent in Newburgh, he went to Haverstraw,
where his death occurred at the age of about sixty three. His wife also passed
away at that age. In boyhood Denton Fowler was employed in his father's
brickyard, where he gained a thorough knowledge of the business. At the age of
eighteen he went to Cold Spring, where he worked in a brickyard by the month.
From that place, in 1843, he came to Haverstraw, joining his elder brother,
Mordecai L., who worked in a yard at Grassy Point. In 1845 the latter started
in the brick manufacturing business, and Denton purchased an interest in the
enterprise. At that time there were only about six men engaged in the business
in this locality, and the majority of these used hand machines, only one
having a power machine. Their yards were situated near the village, and they
gave employment to about thirty men, with an output of three and one-half
million of brick. Their products were conveyed by sailboats to New York, where
they realized from $3.50 to $4 per thousand in the sale. In 1847 the brother
died, and Denton became sole proprietor of the yard, since which time he has
con-ducted the business, being at present the oldest surviving brick
manufacturer along the Hudson River.

After having for thirteen years devoted his attention to the management of
this yard, Mr. Fowler leased another yard further south, and there he
continued until quite recently. With his brother-in-law, Uriah Washburn, he
bought the Garner property, half-way between Haverstraw and Grassy Point, and
there his son, Denton, Jr., carries on a brick business. He and another son,
Everett, under the firm name of D. Fowler & Son, are operating a yard which
has a capacity of nine million, and furnishes employment to sixty or seventy
men from May to November. In partnership with Ira M. Hedges, Uriah Washburn
and George Smith, he purchased the Derbyshire manufacturing yards, and the
firm was subsequently merged into the Excelsior Brick Company. His interest in
that enterprise is now held by his son Everett.

With the history of the People's Bank, the name of Mr. Fowler is indissolubly
linked. He assisted in its incorporation, was a Director from the first, and
at the death of Mr. Washburn was elected its President, in which position he
has since officiated. His real-estate interests are extensive, and include the
ownership of considerable property in Nyack as well as Haverstraw, where he
has improved several pieces of land and put up buildings. Near New City he has
a farm, the management of which he superintends.

In 1850 Mr. Fowler married Miss Catherine E., daughter of John E. Hogencamp,
for many years Clerk of Rockland County, and at one time owner of the farm now
belonging to Mr. Fowler. For years before his death he was blind, an
affliction which prevented him from engaging in business or farm pursuits. His
closing (lays were spent in New City. His wife was Gertrude Blauvelt, a member
of one of the oldest families of this locality, and whose ancestors settled
upon the farm now owned by Mr. Fowler. Politically our subject is a Democrat,
but while participating actively in public affairs, has never desired official
positions. In religious belief he is identified with the Presbyterian Church.
He and his wife are the parents of the following-named children : Gertrude M.,
Mrs. Holly DeBaund, who died leaving two children that are now with our
subject; Lucretia, wife of Henry VerValen, Cashier of the People's Bank;
Everett and Denton, who are engaged in the brick business; Sarah, Mrs. George
Ellison; and Fannie, wife of George Archer.