John William Showalter was born in Mason County, Kentucky on February 8, 1844.

[1] He graduated from Yale University in 1867 and read law to enter the bar in 1871.

[2] Showalter was nominated by President Grover Cleveland on February 25, 1895, to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit and the United States Circuit Courts for the Seventh Circuit, to a new joint seat authorized by 28 Stat.

He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 1, 1895, and received his commission the same day.

His service terminated on December 10, 1898, due to his death in Chicago.