Howard-Franklin-Fayette County IN Archives Biographies.....Showalter, Edward J. 1865 - ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/in/infiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Joy Fisher sdgenweb@yahoo.com April 14, 2006, 10:40 pm Author: Jackson Morrow EDWARD J. SHOWALTER. It is interesting to note from the beginning the growth and development of a community, to note the lines along which progress has been made and to take cognizance of those whose industry and leadership in the work of advancement have rendered possible the present prosperity of the locality under consideration. Edward J. Showalter, of this review, is one of the strong sturdy individuals who has contributed largely to the material welfare of the city in which he resides, being an up-to-date business man, and public-spirited as a citizen, and progressive in all the term implies. For a number of years he has been a potent factor in promoting its progress along social, intellectual and moral lines, consequently his name well deserves a place in the record of Howard county's citizens. Edward J. Showalter was born in Brookville, Franklin county, Indiana, April 6, 1865, the son of Isaac Showalter, a builder and contractor of that county. Our subject was reared in Brookville, attending the schools there, nearly completing the course. At the age of sixteen he began to learn the tinner's trade at Brookville and Connersville and he came to Kokomo in 1891, working for the Armstrong-Landon Company. He went in business for himself that year on the north side of the square. Later he began business at his present stand, 211 West Walnut street. He is engaged in tinning and slate roof work, also installs furnaces. He does an extensive business in all these lines, having established a reputation for promptness in filling orders and doing first class work at reasonable rates. The subject was married at Connersville, Indiana, April 20, 1887, to Louise Reifel, daughter of Philip and Mary Reifel, natives of Germany. Five children, three boys and two girls have added cheer and sunshine to this happy home. Carl F., who graduated from the Kokomo high school in 1906, is a bookkeeper in a rubber company; the other children are: Stanley, Ruth, Louise and Edward. Fraternally Mr. Showalter is a member of the Masons, Howard Lodge, No. 93, having attained the Master Mason's degree. He has also been a member of the Knights of Pythias lodge since he was twenty-one years old. He belongs to Kokomo Camp, No. 3987, Modern Woodmen of America, carrying insurance in the same. He is a Prohibitionist in politics, being the nominee in 1908 for trustee of Center township. He is a member of the Methodist church of Markland avenue and an active worker in the same, being a trustee at this writing. It would be hard to find within the city limits of Kokomo or within the bounds of Howard county a more upright, public-spirited and pleasant man than Mr. Showalter, who has, by his honest business principles, built up an extensive trade and by his manly, sober and altogether wholesome life gained the respect and esteem of all and made friends by the scores. Those who know him are not surprised that such a worthy gentlemen should be so well and generally liked, owing to his many admirable traits of character. Additional Comments: From: HISTORY OF HOWARD COUNTY INDIANA BY JACKSON MORROW, B. A. ILLUSTRATED VOL. II B. F. BOWEN & COMPANY INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA (circa 1909) File at: http://files.usgwarchives.net/in/howard/bios/showalte166bs.txt This file has been created by a form at http://www.poppet.org/infiles/ File size: 3.8 Kb