Biography of  Gilbert Showers, pages 748 / 749.  History of De Kalb County, 
Indiana.  Inter-State Publishing Company, Chicago, 1885.

Gilbert Showers was born in Greene County, N.Y., March 11, 1828, a son of 
Solomon and Mahala (Greene) Showers.  When he was four years old his parents 
moved to Michigan and five years later to De Kalb County, Ind., where he was 
reared and educated. He helped to build the first school-house in Richland 
Township.  With the exception of three years, when was engaged in the 
manufacture of lumber at Shower’s Corners, he has lived near the old 
homestead, and in 1864 settled on the home farm where he still lives.  He 
was married Oct. 6, 1854, to Elizabeth, daughter of Charles and Barbara 
(Thomas) Chancy, who moved from Ashland County, Ohio, to De Kalb County, 
Ind., in 1853.  They have three children---Ida, Gilbert M. and Almeta M.  
Mr. and Mrs. Showers are member of the United Brethren church.  Mr. Showers 
is the only surviving member of a family of eight children.  His father was 
born in New York in 1801, and was married to Mahala Greene in 1827.  They 
moved to De Kalb County in 1837, there being at the time of their 
settlement but three other settlers in Richland Township.  Their deceased 
children were---Catherine J., Jane M., Emily, Seth, Alfred, Rosetta and 
Solomon.  Alfred died while in the defense of his country in the war of 
the Rebellion.  Mr. Showers was a member of the first Board of Township 
Trustees of Richland, and a man universally respected. He and his wife 
were members of the United Brethren church.  He died April 24, 1851, and 
his wife Sept. 1, 1884.  The April following his settlement, his brother 
William, a bachelor, followed him to the township and became one of the 
most prominent citizens.  He was the first Justice of the Peace of 
Richland, and a County Commissioner several terms.  He died Aug. 8, 
1861.

Submitted by:
Arlene Goodwin
Auburn, Indiana
Agoodwin@ctlnet.com