Peter Bidner

    Peter Bidner, farmer, Manchester Township, was born in Germany, April 25, 1834, is a son of John Bidner, a native of Germany, who with his family immigrated to America in the spring of 1840, landing at Baltimore, then came to Pittsburgh, then to Cincinnati and Hamilton, Ohio, and soon after to Dearborn County, Indiana, and purchased eighty acres of land, being a part of the southwest quarter of Section 29 and a part of the southeast quarter of Section 80, Manchester Township. Here his wife died. After residing here two or three years he sold his land, and returned to Hamilton, Ohio, where he married Barbara Wise. After residing there two or three years he returned to this township and purchased eighty acres, the north half of the southwest quarter of Section 20, and subsequently the south eighty acres, thus owning the full quarter section. Here he spent most of his life. About two years prior to his death he removed to his son John's place on Section 30, where he died in december, 1867, aged sixty-seven years. He was the father of three sons who survived and are still living, all married and residents of Manchester Township -John, Peter and Michael.

    Peter Bidner, our subject, was married May 2, 1858, to Dora Fillanwarth, a daughter of Jacob Fillanwarth, a native of Germany, but who came to America and became quite an early settler of Manchester Township. By this marriage Mr. Bidner was the father of six children, five now living: John J.; Anna k., now the wife of William Busse; Mary K.; Elizabeth and Emma M.

    Mrs. Bidner died November 27, 1880, aged forty years. Mr. Bidner has made farming his business through life, and by his industry and good management he has been financially successful and is now one of the prominent farmers of Manchester Township. He owns 250 acres of land well improved, and property in Lawrenceburgh.

Source: History of Dearborn and Ohio Counties, Indiana by F.E. Weakley & Co., 1885.