Debbie and Jim, James Madison Fowler was my great great great grandfather. He was born on January 30, 1811 in Virginia or Tennessee, he married in the 1830s or 1840 to Sarah L. or H. McHaney in Tennessee or Williamson co. Illinois, and James M. Fowler died on October 29, 1874 in Williamson co. Illinois and he is buried in the Union Grove Cemetery near Pittsburg, in Williamson co. Ill. Pittsburg is near Johnson/Johnston City, Ill. both places are in Williamson county. The information I have is that James M. Fowler Sr. first settled in Lake Creek Township where Johnston City is located,he was a Methodist minister, doctor, and farmer,he was among the first settlers and members of the Squat Church later known as Union Grove. James M. and Sarah had at least 7 or 9 children among them was James Madison Fowler Jr. born on March 11, 1848 and he died on July 26, 1911. I descend from his sister Caroline Fowler who married on December 1860 or 61 to William H. Avery who lived in Lake Cr! eek Township on a farm near Johnston City. My parents and I visited the Avery and Fowler relatives many times in the 1980s and 90s. They wanted to get in touch with us all who went to Minnesota. My great grandparents Lloyd and Zora Petty Avery and their son Harland and later on Lloyd Avery and his second wife Alma used to visit there also. My great grandfather Lloyd Avery was born near Johnston City on the old Avery farm and his family left there when he was a boy and went to Minnesota, some of the family went to Idaho and Washington. I would like to hear from you both and anyone else who is researching this family. They talked about the Sanders being Fowler relatives in Williamson county and a Sanders man was among the entertainment at the Fowler reunion in 1984 at Johnston City that year on Labor day weekend when the reunion was then. Keep in touch. Duane McKenzie. mailto:dmckenze@hutchtel.net