Biography - WILLIAM B. SHOWALTER

Ex-soldiers of the Civil war are still to be met with as honored members of every community of any importance in the land, although nearly half a century has elapsed since the close of the great conflict in which they participated. Among this number is William B. Showalter, of Hilyard township, who is now in his seventy-ninth year but still continues upon his farm and is in the enjoyment of health and strength to a remarkable degree for one of his age. He was born in Wayne county, Ohio, November 1, 1832, a son of Samuel and Sarah Jane (Blue) Showalter. The father was born in the Alleghany mountains in Pennsylvania and the mother in Virginia. He removed to Wayne county, Ohio, with his parents and there engaged in farming until 1839, when he came with his family to Lawrence county, Illinois. He moved to' Alton in 1844 but finally took up his residence in Macoupin county in 1860. Here he passed the remainder of his days. He died in 1881, his wife having been called away at Alton in 1858. The father and two of his sons responded to the call of President Lincoln for soldiers at the time of the Civil war and valiantly defended a cause in which they believed with all their hearts. Samuel Showalter enlisted at Alton, Illinois, and served for three years. In his family were five sons and three daughters, three of whom are now living, namely: William B., of this review; Thomas, who makes his home with his brother William B.; and David, of Springfield, Illinois, who served in the Thirty-second Illinois Infantry throughout the entire war.

At the age of seven years William B. Showalter arrived in Illinois with his parents and in the public schools of this state he received his preliminary education. He has been a resident of Macoupin county since 1860 except while serving in behalf of the Union. He enlisted in Company C, One Hundred and Forty-fourth Illinois Volunteers, and on the very first day of his enlistment was assigned to the secret service department and continued in this duty during the war. He proved remarkably active and efficient as a representative of one of the highly important departments of the government and arrested one hundred and thirty-three persons, all but two of whom were found guilty of the charges which were brought against them. He was honorably mustered out of service at Springfield, Illinois, and returned to Macoupin county, where he has ever since engaged in farming. He is the owner of a well improved place of one hundred and sixty acres, which he purchased in 1877, and is recognized as one of the substantial men of the township.

On the 9th of April, 1854, at Godfrey, Madison county, Illinois, Mr. Showalter was married to Miss Charlotte Wilkins. She was born in England in 1835 and came with her parents to America, the father locating on a farm in Madison county, Illinois. Mrs. Showalter died January 15, 1899. There were no children born to this union but Mr. and Mrs. Showalter reared six orphans, who were given every desirable opportunity of education and training, thus making them useful and honorable members of the community. Mr. Showalter was again married in March, 1900, his second union being with Mrs. Emma J. Atkins, who was born in Wisconsin. Her parents were natives of Pennsylvania and were among the early settlers of Illinois.

Mr. Showalter has for many years been identified with the Methodist church and in politics is in hearty accord with the republican party, the principles of which he espoused at the time of the Civil war. As a soldier for the Union he proved his patriotism, and his love for the flag has never wavered. He can look back on a long life of activity and usefulness and now in his declining days he enjoys the friendship and confidence of his neighbors and the satisfaction of feeling that he has been instrumental to the extent of his ability in promoting happiness and good will among men.

Extracted 14 Nov 2018 by Norma Hass from History of Macoupin County, Illinois: Biographical and Pictorial, by Charles A. Walker, published in 1911, Volume 2, pages 279-280.