Henry Showalter
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Henry Showalter (abt. 1816 - 1887)

Henry Showalter
Born about in Fincastle, Botetourt, Virginia, United Statesmap
Ancestors ancestors
Husband of — married 13 Oct 1842 in Roanoke County, Virginiamap
Descendants descendants
Died at about age 71 in Velasco, Brazoria, Texas, United Statesmap
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Profile last modified | Created 19 Aug 2011
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Genealogically Defined

Contents

Biography

Early Life

Henry Showalter was born about 1816 in Botetourt County, Virginia to Abraham Showalter and Mary Magdalena Ranck. Abraham and Magdalena settled in Botetourt county where they lived and raised their family.[1][2][3] Henry's family were Swiss Mennonites who came to Virginia from Pennsylvania and originally from Switzerland for religious freedom. Five Showalter brothers sailed from Rotterdam on the ship Brotherhood. They arrived in America in 1750 and settled in Northampton County, Pennsylvania.[4] Henry's grandfather Henry migrated from Pennsylvania to Fincastle in Botetourt County, Virginia where he is listed on the 1810 U.S. census.[5]

From The Germans of the Valley, by John Walter Wayland we learn that "most of the Germans that settled in the Valley were church members, and the sects represented among them were the Quakers, Mennonites, Dunkers, German Calvinists or Reformed and Lutherans". [6]

Map of Old Botetourt.

The Great Wagon Road provided a route for inland trade and settlers heading West. The Road stretched 700 miles beginning in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and running through Lancaster and Bethlehem to York, then on to Gettysburg, and into the western Maryland to the important trade center of Frederick. Turning southwest, the road crossed the Potomac River at the Evan Watkins Ferry and follows the Shenandoah River across the "back country" or "up country" to enter the Shenandoah Valley at Winchester, Virginia. The Shenandoah Valley lies between the Blue Ridge Mountains on the East and the Appalachian Mountains on the West. The word Shenandoah was derived from a Native American expression meaning "Beautiful Daughter of the Stars." Continuing down the 200 mile length of the Shenandoah Valley the Great Wagon Road followed the route of the earlier Great Warrior's Trail through Harrisburg, Staunton, Lexington. South of Shenandoah Valley, the road reached the Roanoke River at the town of Big Lick--present day Roanoke, Virginia.[7] Henry's younger brother Noah was a minister. The "Biographical history of primitive or old school Baptist ministers of the United States" includes this biographical sketch of Noah that supports the family origins in Virginia:[8]

"NOAH SHOWALTER Showalter, Elder Noah, of Illinois, was born in Virginia, September 25, 1826, and died February 19, 1906, in his seventy-ninth year of age. He united with the Primitive Baptists about the year 1854, was ordained deacon four years later and in 1862 was set apart for the work of the gospel ministry. All this was done by the Little Rock Church, Cass County, Ill., and soon afterwards Elder Showalter moved to Iowa and later to Kansas. Later he settled in Moscow, Idaho, and had the care of churches most of his ministerial life and was loved by those among whom he labored."

By 1840 Abraham and family were living in New Bern in newly formed Pulaski county.[9] Henry's grandfather Henry Showalter died in 1841. After this the family in found living in Illinois.

Family & Migrations

Flag of Virginia
Henry Showalter migrated from Virginia to Illinois.
Flag of Illinois
Flag of Illinois
Henry Showalter migrated from Illinois to Kansas.
Flag of Kansas
Flag of Kansas
Henry Showalter migrated from Kansas to Texas.
Flag of Texas

Henry married Ruth Robinson on October 13, 1842 in Roanoke county, Virginia. She is named Rutha Robinson in the marriage record.[10]

Their marriage bond was signed on October 12, 1842. Ruth's brother Allen Robinson signed the document in addition to Henry.[11]

Marriage of Henry and Ruth.

Ruth and Henry are named in the marriage license of their son Samuel Showalter in Nebraska in 1890. She is named as Ruth Robinson and he is named Henry Showalter.[12]

In 1850, Henry and Ruth and Henry's father, mother and siblings migrated to Cass County Illinois.[3][10] Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales Database shows Henry, his father Abraham and his brothers Abraham Jr., George, Henry, Noah and William all purchasing land in Cass county. [13]

Ruth's brothers Daniel, Allen, Zirkle and Perry Robinson also migrated to Cass County and were neighbors of Henry and Ruth in the 1850 census.

Henry purchased 40 acres in Cass county in 1853[14] and he purchased an additional 40 acres in 1857.[15] Ruth, Henry and family were residing in Chandlerville, Cass, Illinois in 1855[16] for the state census and for the 1860 U.S. census[17] and in 1865 for the Illinois State census.[18]

Name of Purchaser Legal Description Section Township Range Meridian Date Purchased County
SHOWALTER ABRAHAM LOT3NENW 16 18N 09W 3 01/25/1856 CASS
SHOWALTER ABRAHAM LOT11E2SW 16 18N 09W 3 12/14/1855 CASS
SHOWALTER ABRAHAM LOT6SENW 16 18N 09W 3 01/25/1856 CASS
SHOWALTER ABRAHAM LOT4NWNW 16 18N 09W 3 01/25/1856 CASS
SHOWALTER ABRAHAM SR NESE 09 18N 09W 3 07/22/1853 CASS
SHOWALTER GEORGE E2SE 08 18N 09W 3 09/29/1855 CASS
SHOWALTER GEORGE S2SW 09 18N 09W 3 09/29/1855 CASS
SHOWALTER HENRY NWNE 17 18N 09W 3 08/23/1852 CASS
SHOWALTER HENRY SWSE 08 18N 09W 3 09/29/1855 CASS
SHOWALTER NOAH NESE 21 18N 09W 3 07/19/1853 CASS
SHOWALTER NOAH W2SE 21 18N 09W 3 08/30/1855 CASS
SHOWALTER WILLIAM W2NE 21 18N 09W 3 11/04/1850 CASS
SHOWALTER WILLIAM NWNW 21 18N 09W 3 12/06/1853 CASS
SHOWALTER WILLIAM E2NW 21 18N 09W 3 07/21/1855 CASS

Henry and his family are still living in Chandlerville for the 1870 U.S. census.[19]

Henry's parents died in Illinois about 1870[20][21] and the family migrated to McPherson County, Kansas in 1874 where they settled in Christian.[10]

The History of Moundridge Kansas mentions the Showalters as early settlers of Christian, Kanas, "One other group of Mennonite families came from Illinois and Iowa in 1875 and 1876. They established the town of Christian, which is told about in the first chapter of this volume. Names in that group were Krehbiel, Hirschler, Rupp, Galle and Schowalter."[22]

Map of Christian showing plats for Henry and his son P.L. (Perry).

Ruth, Henry and family were living in Moundridge, McPherson County, Kansas for the 1875 Kansas State census.[23] and the 1880 U.S. Census.[24] Henry is listed on the McPherson County Tax List in 1875, 1877 and 1879.[25]

Ruth and Henry had nine children, four sons and five daughters.[10]

  1. Elizabeth b. 1843 in Virginia.[3]
  2. Temperance b. 1845 in Virginia.[3]
  3. Samuel F. b. 1846 in Virginia.[3]
  4. Perry Lewis b. 1848 in Virginia.[3]
  5. William Allen b. 1851 in Illinois.[17]
  6. John Robinson b. 1853 in Illinois.[17]
  7. Mary Magdalena b. 1855 in Illinois.[17]
  8. Clarinda b. 1857 in Illinois.[17]
  9. Henrietta b. 1859 in Illinois.[17]

Later Years

After 1890 most of Henry and Ruth's children had left Kansas.[10] In 1894 Perry moved to Sonoma County, California and Sam moved to Seattle, Washington. Only Elizabeth, William and Temperance remained in Kansas. In 1894 Henry and Ruth moved to Velasco on the gulf coast of Texas.

The new town of Velasco was surveyed and laid out in 1891, when a new Velasco post office was established.

The port was officially opened by the United States secretary of the treasury on July 7, 1891.

A year later over $1 million worth of lots had been sold. Promoters working throughout the Midwest advertised the Velasco Hotel and an area along the river designed as Riverside Park. [26]


Residence & Timeline

Death & Legacy

Henry died three years later on April 19, 1897 in Texas and was buried in the Mound Township Cemetery in Moundridge, McPherson County, Kansas.[27]

These two obituaries for Henry were published in Kansas in 1897.

"Henry Showalter died at his home near Velasco. Texas, on the the 19th of April, of rheumatism of the heart, after only a few days sickness. The deceased was an early resident of this county and moved to Texas only about three years ago. The bereaved family have the sympathy of their many friends here."[28]
"Died - Mr Henry Showalter who formerly lived near this place and is the father-in-law of S.B. Davis died at his home near Velasco, Texas, April 19. He was confined to his bed about 5 days and passed away with the paralysis of the heart. Mr. Showalter leaves a wife, five daughters and four sons to mourn their loss. He was a good Christian and lived to the age of 82."[29]

After Henry's death, Ruth returned to McPherson county where she lived with her daughter Tempy and her grandson Oliver until she died in 1901.

Sources

  1. "United States Census, 1820," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHLC-SVQ : accessed 13 May 2018), Abram Shewalter, Botetourt, Virginia, United States; citing p. 72, NARA microfilm publication M33, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 130; FHL microfilm 193,689.
  2. "United States Census, 1830," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH5W-T7G : 17 August 2017), Abraham Showalter, Botetourt, Virginia, United States; citing 317, NARA microfilm publication M19, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 189; FHL microfilm 29,668.
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 1850 U.S. Census. Year: 1850; Census Place: Cass, Illinois; Roll: M432_99; Page: 16A; Image: 457. Ancestry.com. Family Number: 205. 1850 United States Federal Census [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2009. Images reproduced by FamilySearch. Original data: Seventh Census of the United States, 1850; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M432, 1009 rolls); Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group 29; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
    Name: Henry Shewatten
    [Henry Showalter]
    Age: 34
    Birth Year: abt 1816
    Birthplace: Virginia
    Home in 1850: Cass, Illinois, USA
    Gender: Male
    Family Number: 205
    Henry Shewatten 34
    Ruth Shewatten 30
    Eliza Shewatten 7
    Temperance Shewatten 5
    Saml F Shewatten 4
    Perry L Shewatten 2
  4. McNelley, Susan. "Jacob Showalter (Abt. 1710 - 17 73 ) of Northampton Co . PA." Our Family History. Accessed June 27, 2018. http://www.tracingsbysam.com/middleton_hx/Jacob Showalter (Abt. 1710-1773) of Northampton Co. PA.pdf.
  5. "United States Census, 1810," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XH23-1PT : accessed 29 June 2018), Henry Shewalter, Botetourt, Virginia, United States; citing p. 660, NARA microfilm publication M252 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 66; FHL microfilm 181,426.
  6. Wayland, John Walter. "The Germans of the Valley (Concluded)." The Virginia Magazine of History and Biography 10, no. 2 (1902): 113-30. http://www.jstor.org/stable/4242503.
  7. "The Great Wagon Road." Accessed November 24, 2018. http://www.georgianindex.net/America/wagon_road.html.
  8. Pittman, R. H. Biographical History of Primitive or Old School Baptist Ministers of the United States: Including a Brief Treatise on the Subject of Deacons, Their Duties, Etc., with Some Personal Mention of These Officers ... Stone Mountain, GA: Primitive Baptist Publications, 1984.
  9. "United States Census, 1840," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XHBW-F4G : 20 August 2017), Abraham Showalter, Newbern, Pulaski, Virginia, United States; citing p. 203, NARA microfilm publication M704, (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 572; FHL microfilm 29,690.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 "Rutha Showalter Obituary". Moundridge Journal (McPherson County, Kansas). November 8, 1901.
  11. State of Virginia. "Marriage Certificate for Henry Showalter and Rutha Robinson." Digital image. Accessed June 27, 2018. https://www.ancestry.com/mediaui-viewer/tree/102966181/person/130023562147/media/e12c4579-8c05-4246-924c-1d758943f579.
  12. Library and Archives of the Nebraska State Historical Society; Lincoln, Nebraska. Ancestry.com. Nebraska, Marriage Records, 1855-1908 [database on-line].
    Name Ruth Showalter
    Maiden Name Robinson
    Gender F
    Marriage County Office
    Spouse Henry Showalter
    Child Samuel T. Showalter
    https://www.ancestry.com/sharing/18137172?h=866ee5
  13. Illinois Public Domain Land Tract Sales. Accessed May 14, 2018. online database.
  14. "Patent Details - BLM GLO Records." Home - BLM GLO Records. Accessed June 21, 2018. https://glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=0679-188&docClass=MW&sid=ml0bbrkj.321
    Name: Henry Showalter
    Issue Date: 15 Apr 1853
    Place: Cass, Illinois, USA
    Meridian: 3rd PM
    Township: 018n
    Range: 009W
    Aliquots: NW¼NE¼
    Section: 17
    Accession Number: MW-0679-188
    Document Number: 44573
  15. "Patent Details - BLM GLO Records." Home - BLM GLO Records. Accessed June 21, 2018. https://glorecords.blm.gov/details/patent/default.aspx?accession=IL3540__.268&docClass=STA&sid=5qyzlrbf.im1
    Name: Henry Showalter
    Issue Date: 30 Oct 1857
    Place: Cass, Illinois, USA
    Land Office: Springfield
    Meridian: 3rd PM
    Township: 18-N
    Range: 9-W
    Section: 8
    Accession Number: IL3540__.268
    Document Number: 24440
  16. "Illinois State Census, 1855," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:61MD-G6Z : 11 March 2018), Henry Showalter, Cass, Illinois; citing p. 29, State Archives, Springville; FHL microfilm 976,179
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 17.5 "United States Census, 1860", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MXHQ-8QD : 13 December 2017), Henry Showalter, 1860.
    Name Henry Showalter
    Event Type Census
    Event Date 1860
    Event Place Chandlerville, Cass, Illinois, United States
    Gender Male
    Age 36
    Race White
    Birth Year (Estimated) 1824
    Birthplace Va
    Page 165
    Henry Showalter M 36 Va
    Ruth Showalter F 37 Va
    Eliza Showalter F 7 Va
    Temperance Showalter F 15 Va
    Samuel T Showalter M 14 Va
    Perry L Showalter M 12 Va
    William A Showalter M 9 Ills
    John R Showalter M 7 Ills
    Mary M Showalter F 5 Ills
    Lovenda Showalter F 3 Ills
    Henreetta Showalter F 1 Ills
  18. "Illinois State Census, 1865," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:XCKQ-XB3 : 12 March 2018), Henry Showalter, , Chandlerville, Cass, Illinois; citing p. 26, State Library, Springfield; FHL microfilm 972,751.
  19. "United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M64X-M7X : 12 April 2016), Henry Showalter, Illinois, United States; citing p. 5, family 31, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 545,691.
    Name Henry Showalter
    Event Type Census
    Event Year 1870
    Event Place Illinois, United States
    Gender Male
    Age 53
    Race White
    Race (Original) W
    Birth Year (Estimated) 1816-1817
    Birthplace Virginia
    Page Number 5
    Henry Showalter M 53 Virginia
    Ruth Showalter F 49 Virginia
    Temperance Showalter F 24 Virginia
    William Showalter M 19 Illinois
    John Showalter M 17 Illinois
    Mary Showalter F 14 Illinois
    Clarinda Showalter F 12 Illinois
    Henrietta Showalter F 10 Illinois
    Perry L Showalter M 22 Virginia
  20. Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 27 June 2018), memorial page for Mary Magdalena Ranck Showalter (unknown–12 Sep 1872), Find A Grave Memorial no. 76673199, citing Bell Cemetery, Philadelphia, Cass County, Illinois, USA ; Maintained by Chris (contributor 46940591) .
  21. Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 27 June 2018), memorial page for Abraham Showalter (unknown–unknown), Find A Grave Memorial no. 76673189, citing Bell Cemetery, Philadelphia, Cass County, Illinois, USA ; Maintained by Chris (contributor 46940591) .
  22. "History." History of Moundridge, KS. Accessed June 28, 2018. https://www.moundridge.com/164/History.
  23. "Kansas State Census, 1875", database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:QL6X-K7VP : 12 November 2017), Henry Showalter, 1875.
    Name Henry Showalter
    Event Type Census
    Event Date 1875
    Event Place McPherson, Kansas, United States
    Gender Male
    Age 56
    Birth Year (Estimated) 1819
    Birthplace Virginia
    Page 4
    Henry Showalter M 56 Virginia
    Ruth Showalter F 54 Virginia
    Temperance Showalter F 30 Virginia
    Perry L Showalter M 25 Virginia
    Joana Or Doana C Showalter F 19 Illinois
    John Showalter M 22 Illinois
    Clarinda Showalter F 17 Illinois
    Ina Showalter F 0 Illinois
    Etta Showalter F 14 Illinois
  24. "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MF5H-4PV : 29 August 2017), Henry Showalter, Mound, McPherson, Kansas, United States; citing enumeration district ED 272, sheet 527D, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0387; FHL microfilm 1,254,387.
    Name Henry Showalter
    Event Type Census
    Event Date 1880
    Event Place Mound, McPherson, Kansas, United States
    Gender Male
    Age 62
    Marital Status Married
    Race White
    Race (Original) W
    Occupation Farmer
    Relationship to Head of Household Self
    Relationship to Head of Household (Original) Self
    Birth Year (Estimated) 1818
    Birthplace Virginia, United States
    Father's Birthplace Virginia, United States
    Mother's Birthplace Virginia, United States
    Sheet Letter D
    Sheet Number 527
    Person Number 0
    Volume 1
    Henry Showalter Self M 62 Virginia, United States
    Ruth Showalter Wife F 60 Virginia, United States
    Temperance Showalter Daughter F 35 Virginia, United States
    W A Showalter Son M 29 Illinois, United States
    Henrietta Showalter Daughter F 20 Illinois, United States
    Oliver Cole Grandson M 2 Kansas, United States
  25. "Tax Assessment List of Residents Section S - T." McPherson County Official Website. Accessed June 29, 2018. http://www.mcphersoncountyks.us/DocumentCenter/View/800/6a-12i_Tax_S_T.
  26. Weir, and Merle. "VELASCO, TX." The Handbook of Texas Online| Texas State Historical Association (TSHA). June 15, 2010. Accessed June 29, 2018. https://tshaonline.org/handbook/online/articles/hvv07.
  27. Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 28 June 2018), memorial page for Henry Showalter (9 Apr 1816–19 Apr 1897), Find A Grave Memorial no. 175519840, citing Mound Township Cemetery, Moundridge, McPherson County, Kansas, USA ; Maintained by Chris (contributor 46940591) .
  28. "Henry Showalter". The Leader Courier (Kingman, Kansas). 29 Apr 1897, Thursday, Page 8. (newspapers.com) https://www.newspapers.com/clip/20113537/the_leader_courier/?xid=637
  29. "Died". Moundridge Journal (Moundridge, Kansas). May 7, 1897. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/175519840/henry-showalter/photo#view-photo=165173229

Notes

Rutha Robinson Showalter Obituary
Moundridge Journal:
Mrs. Rutha Showalter died at her home in this city Saturday at 3:45 a.m., aged 81 years, 8 months and 10 days. The funeral services were held Sunday at 3:30 p.m. at the Christian church, Rev. Robt. Hewitt of Sedgwick county officiating. Miss Ruth Robinson was born in Fincastle, Virginia Feb. 22, 1820. She married Henry Showalter Oct. 13, 1842. They moved to Illinois in 1850 and in 1874 to this state. Nine children, four boys and five girls were born from this union and all are living. Those who reside in this city are Will and Tempy Showalter and Mrs. Eliza Jane Davis. Deceased was held in high esteem by her acquaintances. The members of the family residing here desire to express their heartfelt thanks to the neighbors who so kindly rendered assistance in caring for the deceased during her last illness.

"Rutha Showalter Obituary". Moundridge Journal (McPherson County, Kansas). November 8, 1901.





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Categories: Velasco Cemetery, Brazoria County, Texas | Mennonites