William Fowler
William Fowler (1820-1876) of Sheepbridge Coal and Iron Co
1820 Born in Wadsley, South Yorkshire, the son of John Fowler, a Land Agent, and his wife Elizabeth Swann. Brother of John Fowler, Henry Fowler, Charles Fowler and Frederick Fowler
1859 of Sheep Bridge Iron Works.[1]
1876 Obituary [2]
DEATH OF MR. WILLIAM FOWLER.—At the end of January, the death was announced of Mr. Fowler, of Whittington Hall, Chesterfield, a gentleman who was long associated with the iron trade of the Derbyshire district. He was the second son of Mr. John Fowler, of Wadsley Hall, near Sheffield, a land agent and surveyor.
The eldest son is Mr. John Fowler, C.E., the well-known mining engineer. Mr. William Fowler was born in 1820, and was brought up to his father's profession.
About 1854, in conjunction with his brother John, he purchased the Whittington Estate, near Chesterfield, together with the manorial rights, and having subsequently taken large leases of coal and ironstone from the Dukes of Rutland and Devonshire and other landowners, a series of railways was made connecting these properties with the Midland system. Ironworks and collieries were established, and in 1864 these were sold to a limited liability company, now known as the Sheepbridge Coal and Iron Company, Limited.
Mr. Fowler held the position of chairman and managing director till 1868, when he resigned the latter office in favour of Mr. J. Stores Smith, the present managing director. He has since been chairman of directors. He has of late years been largely connected with various mineral enterprises in Spain, Africa, and elsewhere abroad. He was vice-chairman of the Bilbao Iron Ore Company, Limited. Mr. Fowler was one of the first members of the Iron and Steel Institute, and was a vice-president from the establishment of the society.