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|resting_place=Springville Cemetery in Coushatta, Louisiana​

|resting_place=Springville Cemetery in Coushatta, Louisiana​

|spouse= Abbie Marston Fowler (1906–1976, her death)​

|spouse= Abbie Marston Fowler (1906–1976, her death)​

|children=Douglas Fowler, Jr. (1938–1998)<br>​

|children=Douglas Fowler, Jr. (1938–1998)​

[[Jerry Fowler|Jerry Marston Fowler]] (1940-2009)​

[[Jerry Fowler|Jerry Marston Fowler]] (1940-2009)​

|party=[[Democratic Party|Democrat]] ​

|party=[[Democratic Party|Democrat]] ​

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Thereafter, Long rewarded Fowler for his loyalty to the Long faction and named him the third appointed "custodian of voting machines." The legislature created the unusual position—the only in the nation—at Long's request as a result of a bitter dispute that the governor was having with Secretary of State Wade Omer Martin, Jr.,  whose office then handled elections duties. A political commentator, Alan Ehrenhalt, years later dubbed the "custodianship" as the "most ridiculous elective office in the history of state government."​

Thereafter, Long rewarded Fowler for his loyalty to the Long faction and named him the third appointed "custodian of voting machines." The legislature created the unusual position—the only in the nation—at Long's request as a result of a bitter dispute that the governor was having with Secretary of State Wade Omer Martin, Jr.,  whose office then handled elections duties. A political commentator, Alan Ehrenhalt, years later dubbed the "custodianship" as the "most ridiculous elective office in the history of state government."​

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==Custodian of voting machines==​

Fowler was appointed by Long as the director of the state Board of Registration, a position earlier held by Long confidant [[Drayton Boucher]] of [[Springhill, Louisiana|Springhill]], a former member of the state Senate from Bossier and Webster parishes. Fowler's title was changed to "custodian" in 1959, and he ran for the position in the 1959-1960 Democratic primaries. Fowler said that he deserved the appointment because "I worked hard enough for it, and no one deserved it more," and he "beat the bushes" for Long in the 1947-1948 gubernatorial cycle. That year Long defeated his old intraparty rival, former Governor [[Sam Houston Jones]] of [[Lake Charles, Louisiana|Lake Charles]]. Fowler, meanwhile, defeated a number of opponents in a close Democratic primary race in 1959.​

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Fowler was appointed by Long as the director of the state Board of Registration, a position earlier held by Long confidant [[Drayton Boucher]] of [[Springhill, Louisiana|Springhill]], a former member of the [[Louisiana State Legislature|Louisiana State Senate]] from [[Webster Parish|Webster]] and [[Bossier Parish|Bossier]] parishes. Fowler's title was changed to "custodian" in 1959, and he ran for the position in the 1959-1960 Democratic primaries. Fowler said that he deserved the appointment because "I worked hard enough for it, and no one deserved it more," and he "beat the bushes" for Long in the 1947-1948 gubernatorial cycle. That year Long defeated his old intraparty rival, former Governor [[Sam Houston Jones]] of [[Lake Charles, Louisiana|Lake Charles]]. Fowler, meanwhile, defeated a number of opponents in a close Democratic primary race in 1959.​

In the Democratic runoff election held on January 9, 1960, Fowler defeated David Wallace Chennault, Sr. (1923–1980), a native of [[El Paso, Texas]], then living in [[Monroe, Louisiana|Monroe]].<ref name=ssdi>{{cite web|url=http://ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com/cgi-bin/ssdi.cgi|title=Social Security Death Index|publisher=ssdi.rootsweb.ancestry.com|accessdate=June 6, 2010}}</ref><ref>''Minden Press'', January 11, 1960</ref> Chennault was the sixth of eight children of [[General]] [[Claire Chennault]] of the [[World War II]] [[Flying Tigers]] and first wife, Nell Thompson Chennault (1893-1977, originally from [[Winnsboro, Louisiana|Winnsboro]], whom Chennault [[divorce]]d. Chennault ran on the losing intraparty ticket headed by [[DeLesseps Story Morrison]], the [[mayor of New Orleans]] who ran unsuccessfully for the second of three times in a bid to become [[governor of Louisiana]]. Fowler ran on the rival ticket headed by former Governor [[Jimmie Davis]], who staged a comeback for a second term in the office.<ref>"Chep Morrison and Ticket Here Monday", ''Minden Herald,'' September 17, 1959, p. 1.</ref> David Chennault died at the age of fifty-six in [[Houston, Texas|Houston]], Texas, but he still listed a Monroe address with the [[Social Security Administration]] at the time of his passing.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://familytreemaker.genealogy.com/users/h/e/b/Brenda-M-Hebert/GENE6-0004.html|title=Ancestors of Claire Lee Chennault|publisher=familytreemaker.genealogy.com|accessdate=June 6, 2010}}</ref>​

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In the [[general election]] held on April 19, 1960, Fowler overwhelmed '''William C. Porter''' (1910-1977),<ref name=ssdi/> a Republican railroad claims agent from [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]], 86.8 percent to 13.2 percent. Porter had been an alternate delegate to the 1956 [[Republican National Convention]] in [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]], [[California]].​

In the [[general election]] held on April 19, 1960, Fowler overwhelmed '''William C. Porter''' (1910-1977),<ref name=ssdi/> a Republican railroad claims agent from [[Alexandria, Louisiana|Alexandria]], 86.8 percent to 13.2 percent. Porter had been an alternate delegate to the [[1956 Republican National Convention]] in [[San Francisco, California|San Francisco]], [[California]].​

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In 1963-1964, Fowler defeated [[Raymond Laborde]], the [[mayor]] of [[Marksville, Louisiana|Marksville]], the seat of [[Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana|Avoyelles Parish]], and later a state representative from 1972-1992, and commissioner of administration in the fourth and final term of [[Edwin Washington Edwards]]. An Edwards boyhood friend, Laborde ran on the intraparty ticket headed by Chep Morrison. Laborde argued unsuccessfully at the time for the abolition of Fowler's office. All of the Morrison candidates were defeated.​

In 1963-1964, Fowler defeated [[Raymond Laborde]], the [[mayor]] of [[Marksville, Louisiana|Marksville]], the seat of [[Avoyelles Parish, Louisiana|Avoyelles Parish]], and later a state representative from 1972-1992, and commissioner of administration in the fourth and final term of [[Edwin Washington Edwards]]. An Edwards boyhood friend, Laborde ran on the intraparty ticket headed by Chep Morrison. Laborde argued unsuccessfully at the time for the abolition of Fowler's office. All of the Morrison candidates were defeated.​

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Fowler was thereafter easily reelected to the administrative position in 1968, 1972, and 1975.​

Fowler was thereafter easily reelected to his administrative position in 1968, 1972, and 1975.​

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==Later challengers==​

==Later challengers==​

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In 1971, Fowler won Democratic renomination over several candidates, including '''Jerome Sauer''', who raised questions about the validity of voting machines in providing an accurate voter count.<ref>''[[Minden Press-Herald]]'', November 6, 1971</ref> Fowler then faced only his second Republican opponent, reformer '''Edward Wilhelm Christiansen Jr.''' (November 10, 1923 – August 28, 2014), a native of [[Savannah, Georgia|Savannah]], [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], and a retired [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] [[lieutenant colonel]] who had volunteered for the [[United States Army Air Corps]] during [[World War II]]. He flew more than twenty missions as a [[Martin B-26 Marauder|B-26]] pilot in the [[European Theater of Operations]]. After the war, Christiansen flew 121 missions as a transport pilot in the [[Berlin Airlift]]. He was thereafter a fighter pilot in Germany. On leaving the military, Christiansen worked in the hotel/tourism business. For twenty years he was a manager and part-owner of the Saint Charles Inn on [[St. Charles Avenue]] in New Orleans.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://obits.nola.com/obituaries/nola/obituary.aspx?n=edward-wilhelm-christiansen&pid=172301343&fhid=5630#sthash.UufX79qn.dpuf|title=Edward Wilhelm Christiansen Jr.|newspaper=[[The New Orleans Times-Picayune]]|accessdate=August 31, 2014}}</ref>​

In 1971, Fowler won Democratic renomination over several candidates, including '''Jerome Sauer''', who raised questions about the validity of voting machines in providing an accurate voter count.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald,'' November 6, 1971.</ref> Fowler then faced only his second Republican opponent, reformer '''Edward Wilhelm Christiansen Jr.''' (November 10, 1923 – August 28, 2014), a native of [[Savannah]], [[Georgia]], and a retired [[United States Air Force|Air Force]] [[lieutenant colonel]] who had volunteered for the [[United States Army Air Corps]] during [[World War II]]. He flew more than twenty missions as a [[Martin B-26 Marauder|B-26]] pilot in the European Theater of Operations. After the war, Christiansen flew 121 missions as a transport pilot in the [[Berlin Airlift]]. He was thereafter a fighter pilot in Germany. On leaving the military, Christiansen worked in the hotel/tourism business. For twenty years he was a manager and part-owner of the Saint Charles Inn on [[St. Charles Avenue]] in New Orleans.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://obits.nola.com/obituaries/nola/obituary.aspx?n=edward-wilhelm-christiansen&pid=172301343&fhid=5630#sthash.UufX79qn.dpuf|title=Edward Wilhelm Christiansen Jr.|newspaper=[[The New Orleans Times-Picayune]]|accessdate=August 31, 2014}}</ref>​

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Christiansen was also a former [[mathematics]] instructor at [[Tulane University]] in New Orleans. He was a delegate to the [[1972 Republican National Convention]] in [[Miami Beach, Florida|Miami Beach]], [[Florida]]. In the campaign against Fowler, Christiansen proposed that modern electronic voting devices be adopted to replace what he called "bulky, heavy, cumbersome, cantankerous" voting machines in use since the administration of [[governor of Louisiana|Governor]] [[Robert F. Kennon]]. Voting machines, often called "Shoup machines" for their inventor, '''Ransom Shoup''', were used in some of the more populous parishes, including East Baton Rouge, Caddo]] ([[Shreveport]]) and Calcasieu (Lake Charles) prior to the Kennon administration, but it was Kennon who pushed for electronic machines in all precincts.​

Christiansen was also a former [[mathematics]] instructor at [[Tulane University]] in New Orleans. He was a delegate to the 1972 Republican National Convention held in MIami Beach, [[Florida]]. In the campaign against Fowler, Christiansen proposed that modern electronic voting devices be adopted to replace what he called "bulky, heavy, cumbersome, cantankerous" voting machines in use since the administration of [[governor of Louisiana|Governor]] [[Robert F. Kennon]]. Voting machines, often called "Shoup machines" for their inventor, '''Ransom Shoup''', were used in some of the more populous parishes, including East Baton Rouge, Caddo]] ([[Shreveport]]) and Calcasieu (Lake Charles) prior to the Kennon administration, but it was Kennon who pushed for electronic machines in all precincts.​

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Christiansen ran on the Republican slate headed by gubernatorial candidate [[David C. Treen]], then of [[Jefferson Parish]]. While Treen obtained 42.8 percent of the vote against Democrat [[Edwin Edwards]], Christiansen polled  only 265,525 votes (25.5 percent). The entrenched Fowler received 721,987 votes (71.7 percent), and the American Party nominee Louis D. Arnaud drew 28,413 votes (2.8 percent).​

Christiansen ran on the Republican slate headed by gubernatorial candidate [[David C. Treen]], then of [[Jefferson Parish]]. While Treen obtained 42.8 percent of the vote against Democrat [[Edwin Edwards]], Christiansen polled  only 265,525 votes (25.5 percent). The entrenched Fowler received 721,987 votes (71.7 percent), and the American Party nominee Louis D. Arnaud drew 28,413 votes (2.8 percent).​

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In 1975, in the first-ever [[nonpartisan blanket primary]], or jungle primary in Louisiana, Fowler easily defeated two fellow Democrats who sought the elections commissioner's position, Jerome A. Sauer, who again charged that Louisiana voting machines can easily be rigged, and Delores Burrell Vanison.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', November 3, 1975, p. 1.</ref>​

In 1975, in the first-ever nonpartisan blanket primary in Louisiana, Fowler easily defeated two fellow Democrats who sought the elections commissioner's position, Jerome A. Sauer, who again charged that Louisiana voting machines can easily be rigged, and Delores Burrell Vanison.<ref>''Minden Press-Herald'', November 3, 1975, p. 1.</ref>​

 

==Jerry Fowler succeeds his father==​

==Jerry Fowler succeeds his father==​

Jerry Fowler, meanwhile, later ran afoul of the law, was defeated for a sixth term in the 1999 primary, and served time in a federal prison in [[Texas]] for [[bribery]] and [[income tax evasion]]. Jerry Fowler's second wife, Mari Ann, disappeared one Christmas weekend when she went to visit her husband in prison, was never located, and has been declared legally dead.​

Jerry Fowler, meanwhile, later ran afoul of the law, was defeated for a sixth term in the 1999 primary, and served time in a federal prison in [[Texas]] for [[bribery]] and [[income tax evasion]]. Jerry Fowler's second wife, Mari Ann, disappeared one Christmas weekend when she went to visit her husband in prison, was never located, and has been declared legally dead.​

 

==Fowler's death==​

==Fowler's death==​

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Fowler was a widower for the last four years of his life. His wife, Abbie Marston Fowler, was born on September 22, 1906 and died on July 20, 1976, as a result of severe injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Baton Rouge on December 4, 1975. Fowler and his driver, Fred Schlesinger, a state employee, were also injured in the accident but recovered. The insurance company acknowledged that the other driver, an employee of Western Union Telegraph Co., was liable for the accident, and compensation was paid to both Fowlers and to Schlesinger. The two Fowler sons later sued for damages after their mother's death. They retained the services of the Natchitoches attorney and then state Senator Donald G. "Don" Kelly, a Democrat.​

Fowler was a widower for the last four years of his life. His wife, Abbie Marston Fowler, was born on September 22, 1906 and died on July 20, 1976, as a result of severe injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Baton Rouge on December 4, 1975. Fowler and his driver, Fred Schlesinger, a state employee, were also injured in the accident but recovered. The insurance company acknowledged that the other driver, an employee of Western Union Telegraph Co., was liable for the accident, and compensation was paid to both Fowlers and to Schlesinger. The two Fowler sons later sued for damages after their mother's death. They retained the services of the Natchitoches attorney and then state Senator Donald G. "Don" Kelly, a Democrat.​

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Fowler died at seventy-three of [[emphysema]] and [[pneumonia]] in the Natchitoches Parish Hospital in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]]. His funeral was held on February 1, 1980, in his home church, First [[United Methodist]] of Coushatta. In addition to Jerry Fowler, Douglas Fowler was also survived by his elder son, Dr. Wiley Douglas Fowler, Jr. (November 15, 1938 – October 2, 1998), then of [[Jacksonville, Florida|Jacksonville]], [[Florida]], and since deceased; two brothers, "Mutt" Fowler, then a Coushatta [[insurance]] agent, and John R. Fowler (March 3, 1912 – May 21, 1990), then a Coushatta drug store owner; two sisters; eight grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, including Katherine Ann "Kathy" Fowler (1946-2006) and H. M. "Buddy" Fowler Jr. of Coushatta.​

Fowler died at seventy-three of [[emphysema]] and [[pneumonia]] in the Natchitoches Parish Hospital in [[Natchitoches, Louisiana|Natchitoches]]. His funeral was held on February 1, 1980, in his home church, First [[United Methodist]] of Coushatta. In addition to Jerry Fowler, Douglas Fowler was also survived by his elder son, Dr. Wiley Douglas Fowler, Jr. (November 15, 1938 &ndash; October 2, 1998), then of [[Jacksonville]], Florida, and since deceased; two brothers, "Mutt" Fowler, then a Coushatta [[insurance]] agent, and John R. Fowler (March 3, 1912 &ndash; May 21, 1990), then a Coushatta drug store owner; two sisters; eight grandchildren; several nieces and nephews, including Katherine Ann "Kathy" Fowler (1946-2006) and H. M. "Buddy" Fowler Jr. of Coushatta.​

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Fowler, his wife, and older son are all interred in the family plot at Springville Cemetery in Coushatta.​

Fowler, his wife, and older son are all interred in the family plot at Springville Cemetery in Coushatta.​