ZACHARY TAYLOR WIDENER

WIDENER

Posted By: Jake Tornholm (email)
Date: 4/22/2020 at 15:34:20

ZACHARY TAYLOR WIDENER, merchant at Corning, was born in Indiana in 1856. His parents were natives of Virginia. One of his ancestors was Peter Widener, the great financier. The father of our subject, a farmer, died in 1873, and his mother in 1889. Of this family the elder sons fought bravely for the Union, and their record for faithfulness in the army makes one of the bright pages in the history of Indiana.

When a young man Mr. Widener became a merchant at Farmington, Fulton county, Illinois, and afterward came to Corning and engaged as a merchant with Mr. Chapman; but he soon bought his interest and has since continued in business alone. There is probably no other man in the Blue Glass region who possesses finer taste or more unerring judgment in the selection of fabrics than Mr. Widener; and bis integrity has led all his patrons to rely upon his word as to the quality of goods. Indeed, it is a mark of confidence rarely seen in these day6. Mr. Widener is a young business man with a bright future. Besides other real estate he owns a cosy residence, embelished with much that indicates his fine culture and taste. He is a member of the Congregational Church and takes an efficient part in the Sunday-school; is also a member of the order of K. of P. In politics lie is a stalwart Kepulican. lie has been a member of the School Board. Mr. Widener is a liberal man, unassuming in manner and yet remarkably efficient as a public-spirited citizen.

In 1882 he married Miss Hettie Weterman, and they have had the following named children: Ethel Vernice, Carl Chester and Fay,—all bright and beautiful children.