"The Biographical Record and Portrait Album of Tippecanoe County, Indiana"
1888 Page 761
ROLLER WIDENER, who has been identified with the interests of Perry Township
for almost half a century, was born in Granger County, East Tennessee, June
9, 1805, a son of HENRY and MARGARET (CLICK) WIDENER. In 1828 the WIDENER
family came to Indiana and settled in Clinton County, the father entering
land from the Government, near Oxford, where he made his home until his
death. ROLLER WIDENER was married in 1833 to Miss JANE RICHARDSON, a native
of Kentucky, and to them were born five children, three yet
living--MATTHIAS, WILLIAM, and MAHALA. Mrs.. WIDENER died in 1842, and in
1843 Mr.. WIDENER was married to Mrs.. LUCINDA WARRICK, and to this marriage
were born five children--DAVID at Danville, Indiana; OSCAR, who resides at
the home farm; and MARTHA ANN, MARY and CELESTIA, the last three being
deceased. Mr.. WIDENER was a second time bereaved by the death of his wife
in 1873. He resided in Clinton County until 1848, when he came to Perry
Township, this county, and after a residence here of eight years he returned
to Clinton remaining there until 1863. In that year he sold his property in
Clinton County and bought the farm in Perry Township which he now occupies.
The WIDENER farm contains 159 acres of Tippecanoe County's best soil, well
improved and under a high state of cultivation, with commodious farm
residence and substantial barn and other farm buildings. In his political
views Mr.. WIDENER is a Republican. He is a faithful and consistent member
of the Presbyterian church, and an upright honorable citizen. His son,
OSCAR WIDENER, who is one of the intelligent and enterprising men of Perry
Township, was born in Clinton County, Indiana, November 5, 1857. He was
reared to agricultural pursuits, his youth being spent in assisting on the
farm and in attending the common schools of his neighborhood. He was united
in marriage to Miss JENNETTE VIRGIN, of Perry Township, and to them have
been born three children, but two now living, named MAGGIE MAY and BLAINE.
OSCAR WIDENER, like his father, is a Republican, and though but a young man
is numbered among the leading citizens of his township.