George William Fowles was a watchmaker and machinist in Feilding in the late 1800's and early 1900's. He was born in Warwickshire, England, and learnt and practiced his trade in London before coming to Aotearoa in 1874, on the _Salisbury. _
Fowles settled in Feilding, and started a watchmaking, instrument-making, and machinery shop almost immediately. He was also an amateur photographer, and a member of the Foresters Friendly Society. He was elected to the Feilding Borough Council in 1886, and held that post for over a decade. He also was a member of the Kiwitea Road Board and the Kiwitea County Council.