Grandmother Showman

Louvinia Hammond was born in Baltimore, Maryland, Feb. 14, 1816. When 20 years of age she was united in marriage to Mr. John S. Showman. Soon after her marriage she came with her husband to Rushville, Fairfield county, Ohio. After a short residence in New Salem, Millersport and Van Buren, she moved in 1855 to Henry county, where upon a farm near Liberty Center she resided for nearly a half century. Her father and mother and all her brothers and sisters have preceded her to the grave. Before her husband’s casket was closed at his death she kissed him good bye, and said, “Farewell, dear husband, it will not be long, it will not be long.” It has been longer no doubt than she then thought, but the reunion has come at last. If ever there was a good mother in Israel she was one. Early in her life she gave her heart to her Saviour, and identified with the Methodist Episcopal church. In the early days she used to go to church on horse back with two babies on her lap and one on the horse behind her. She knew how to pray, and with a brave heart more than once prayed her way through difficulties, before which many a weaker heart would have quailed. Hers was a cheerful nature, and in the presence of the greatest sorrows she was calm and hopeful. The Bible was the book of books to her, and over its sacred pages she poured with heart-felt devotion. To say she was a faithful wife is not enough; she was more than faithful, she was a devoted help-mate in the highest sense of the word. She was also an ideal Christian mother. The sons and daughters who survive her have the memory of one of the bravest and most affectionate mothers to cherish that God ever gave to children. Life long friends can testify also to the genuiness of her friendship. She was a kind neighbor, charitable, and a blessing to all who knew her. All her life time she has been a hard worker, and never better satisfied than when her hands were busy. In early days she could use the spinning wheel as artfully as any one.

Her passing away was very peaceful. Although not in the best of health for some years she was not seriously ill. She loved life, and wanted to live, but when the end came she quietly fell asleep in Jesus with the hope of immortality and eternal life in her soul.