Biography of Byron E. Widney, pages 990/991. History of 
DeKalb County, Indiana; B. F. Bowen & Company, Inc., 
Indianapolis, 1914.



After a long course of years of daily observation on the 
part of his neighbors, it would be out of the question for 
them not to know the worth, moral standing, public 
sentiment and social conduct as well as something of the 
private life of Byron E. Widney, one of the substantial 
agriculturists of Concord township, because, as has been 
said, "actions speak louder than words." In his community 
and, in fact, anywhere in DeKalb county, there is heard 
nothing concerning Mr. Widney but good words and well 
deserved praise, for he has passed so many years here that 
his worth is well known,  but it will be of interest to run 
over the busy events of his life in these pages.  Byron E. 
Widney was born in Concord township, DeKalb County, 
Indiana, on March 29, 1862, and is the son of Samuel and 
Mary Ann (Moore) Widney. Samuel L. Widney, who was the son 
of John P. and Jane (Lynn) Widney, was born in DeKalb 
county on June 26, 1839. He received his education in the 
schools of his native locality and assisted his father on 
the home farm until attaining mature years. After his 
marriage, which occurred on January 1, 1860, he lived on 
his father's farm a year and the following  year located on 
the farm in Concord township, where he spent the remainder 
of his days, and where he acquired the ownership of three 
hundred and thirty-three acres of fine land. His wife was a 
daughter of James and Ellen Moore, early settlers of 
Pleasant township, this county. To Mr. and Mrs. Widney were 
born five children, Marion, Byron E., Viola, Otto L. and 
Iva May.  Byron E. Widney was reared under the parental 
roof and was early inducted into the mysteries of 
successful farming. His education was received in the 
common schools of Concord township and he has devoted his 
entire mature life to agricultural pursuits, in which he 
has been eminently successful, owing to his untiring 
efforts and persistency and the sound of  common sense with 
which he has characterized his labors. He is the owner of 
one hundred and three acres of good land, practically all 
of which is under the plow and the well-kept condition of 
the fences, the neat and well arranged barns and other 
outbuildings testifying to the progressive ideas and 
enterprising methods of the owner. On January 27, 1883, Mr. 
Widney was united in marriage to Martha Rosetta Sechler, 
the daughter of Levi and Mary Barbara (Kistler) Sechler, 
the latter family being one of the oldest in DeKalb county. 
To Mr. and Mrs. Widney was born one child, Edith, who 
became the wife of Ross Abel, of Newville township, this 
county. Mrs. Widney, who was born on September 17, 1862, is 
a lady of many kindly qualities and because of her earnest 
life and pleasing relations with those with whom she 
associated she enjoys a well deserved popularity.  
Politically, Mr. Widney has been a life-long supporter of 
the Republican party and, though deeply interested in its 
success and active in its interest during campaigns, he has 
never sought nor held public office of any nature, his 
private affairs making heavy demands upon his time.  He is 
deeply interested in everything that pertains to the 
welfare of his community, supporting all worthy movements, 
and among those who know him best he is held in the highest 
measure of esteem.

Submitted by:

Arlene Goodwin

Auburn, Indiana

Agoodwin@ctlnet.com