John A. Fowle (1826-1916) was born in Boston, Massachusetts, and died in Dorchester, Massachusetts. He worked as a philanthropist and wool merchant. At the start of the American Civil War, Fowle joined the Marine Coast Guard as an aide to Commander Robert B. Forbes and through his influence was appointed as a clerk in the Navy Department in Washington, D.C. Because of his philanthropic work, he was appointed as chairman of the Navy Association for the Relief of Soldiers. He married Elida B. Rumsey in 1863, on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives in Washington D.C., in front of 4,000 soldiers and friends; a special act was authorized by the House for the unique celebration (both were members of the House choir and popular with the troops because of their philanthropic work). It was in Washington, D.C., where they founded the Soldiers' Free Library to supply Union troops with reading material, crutches, stationery, and clothing during the Civil War. The couple moved to Brooklyn, New York, after the war, where they were active in the Congregational church. In 1877, the Fowles moved to Dorchester, Massachusetts, and John engaged in the wool business, carrying on his operations both in New York and Boston. He was secretary and treasurer of the Dorchester Historical Society, as well as a member of the North Dorchester Improvement Society and the Dorchester Republican Club. He was also president of the Mutual Improvement Society of Pilgrim Church in Dorchester.

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