Christian Widmer, b. 24 December 1796, the son of Hans Widmer, is one of the genuine Mennonite patriarchs. He lived in Epiquerez, Clos du Doubs, in  the Bernese Jura, close to the French border. His wife was Verena Eicher of Buchholterberg (Emmental), married at Montbéliard on 25 September 1821. The patriarchal figures of Christian Widmer and his wife, who with their ancient costumes and simplicity are a monument of a former time, repre­sent the customs, the piety, and the industry of the old Mennonites. The numerous descendants of this Widmer family are now competent farmers in the region of Montbeliard and in Alsace. Several of these descendants have been successful preachers and elders.

Adapted by permission of Herald Press, Harrisonburg, Virginia, and Waterloo, Ontario, from Mennonite Encyclopedia, Vol. 4, p. 943. All rights reserved. For information on ordering the encyclopedia visit the Herald Press website.

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