In the book's own words, not ours, with obvious scanning errors fixed. Families often supplied these stories to the publisher, so check key dates.
From The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881)
JOHN S. SHEWALTER, City Clerk, Springfield; is a native of Ohio. His parents, Jacob and Arabella (Aby) Shewalter, were natives of Virginia, but removed to Ohio about 15837: subsequently returned to Virginia; then removed to Tennessee, where they resided until the rebellion caused a breaking up of the family to some extent. The father died at the home of his sister in Clinton Co., Ohio, Jan. 16, 1364. The mother still survives, and now resides in this city with her son, who is the subject of this sketch. He was born in Clermont County April 14, 1838, and accompanied his parents to Virginia and Tennessee, where he was “conscripted ” for service in the Confederate army in the fall of 1862, but before he was secured, he left with a company for Kentucky, who made their way over the mountains into the Union line, which they reached at Richmond, Ky., in December, where most of their number enlisted. in the United States service: but John S., knowing the extreme risk if he should be taken prisoner, kept on North until he arrived in Springfield, where he has since resided with the exception of about eight months’ service in the 98th O. V.I He is father was a miller, and he learned milling with him, and also learned the trade of holder. After his return from the army, he returned to Tennessee, but found everything in such chaotic condition that after eleven months’ stay, he returned to Springfield, and was employed here as holder. In January, 1870, at an especial election, he was elected City Clerk, and re-elected at each successive contest since. He is a member of the Central Methodist Episcopal Church, and also of the I. O. O. F.; of the latter, he has been a representative to the State Grand Lodge, and was a visitor to the Grand Lodge of the United States held at Indianapolis in 1875. He married, in 1868, Miss Margaret E. Garey; her decease occurred in 1877. Two children survive her—a daughter and a son. Mr. Shewalter married again in 1878; his second wife being Miss Ann W. Chenowaith, of Pickaway County; from this marriage has been born one child—a daughter.
As printed in The History of Clark County Ohio, (1881). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.
The printed record stops around 1881. We trace your line from there down to you, with every source cited.