New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-11-07
P. A. B. WIDENER
DEAD; WAS 81
Began as Butcler-Irac-
ton Ventures Made
Him q Power.
ART COLLECTOR
OF FIRST RANK
Gave Millions in Memorials 10
His Wife-Lost Son and
Grandson on Titanic.

Philadelphia, Nov 6. P. A. b. Wide |
ner. fnancier. philanthropist and cor
noisseur. died at his home at ElkinS
Park. near here, to-day. Mr. Widener
had been III for some time.
Peter A. Brown Widener was born
in Philadelphia, November l3, 1884.
and received his education in the pub
lie schools of that city and IN the
Central High School. OF German ex-
traction and the son Of brickmaker
he Joined his elder brother. butcher.
in the meat business after leaving
school, and soon became active in To-
cal Republican politics.
His firm secured contract to sup
ply meat to the Union soldiers in and
about Philadelphia. which was the
great army hospital headquarters dur
ing the Civil War. and his share OF the
profits, shrewdly invested in stree:
railways. laid the foundations Of his
great fortune and wide influence III
traction matters.
In 1875 Mr.. Widener. in association
with the late William II. kemble. ac-
qurcd control Of the Continental
Street Passenger Railway Company OF
Philadelphia. and from that time de-
voted his attention more and more 10
developing his private interests IN pub
lie franchises He retired permanent
ly from active politics in 1877, having
served as City Treasurer from 1873.
but never ceased to be large contrib
utor TO Republican campaign expenses,
and continued 20 WELD an influence To-
cally that was not the less weighty
because Of its avoidance Of publicity.
First Big Venture at Home.
He introduced new ideas into street
railway management that tended TO
produce greater returns, and, as his
capital and power multiplied, he grad
ually increased his holdings and ex-
tended the sphere of his influence. lie
was thus able. with William l.. Elkins.
10 organize the Philadelphia Traction
Company, his first important financial
venture.
With this corporation as basis. Mr..
Widener and his associates began
systematic campaign of absorption Of
rival companies, until, By the forma-
ton Of the Union Traction Company.
the vast network Of Philadelphia troll
ley lines was brought under one con-
troll.
Inspired by the success OF his skill
ful manipulation Of traffic interests in
his native city. Mr.. Wideucr proceeded
to apply the same principles in other
places. Street railway companies in
such important centres at Chicago.
Baltimore. Pittsburgh and New York
we're suddenly discovered 20 be owned
by the syndicate composed OF Mr.
Widener and his friends. until its hold
ings comprised a greater mileage than
those of any other combination of cap
ital in the world.
Mr. Widener began his traction OPP
orations in this city in 1886, in connec-
ticn with the old Metropolitan Trac-
ton Company and in association with
William c. Whitney, Thomas 7. Ryan,
William L. Elkirs and Thomas Dolan.
This organization was developed into the
Street Railway Company.
Ir 1902 the Interurban Company, later
known rs the New York City Railway
Company. was formed. This was fol-
lowed by the Metropolitan Securities
Company, o holding concern. In 1906
the whole system was merged with the
Rapid Transit Company.
and receiverships fol-
lowed for various companies which had
been combined in the mammoth organi-
zstion, and the WidenerRyan syndi-
cate passed out Of power.
Readings Largest Stakeholder.
Last year revelations in the govern
mcnt suit against the Reading Railroad
showed that Mr. Widcner was the
largest stakeholder Of that company,
lnning 100000 Of the 100000 out
shares OF par value Of $50
each.
In 1858 he married Miss II. Josephine
Dunton. and their large house at the
corner Of Broad Street and Girard Ave
nue., was crowded with the paintings
Ind volumes that Mr. Widener had pur-
chased in Europe and America. Mrs.
Widener died in 1896 on board mis-
steam yacht Josephine.
Her husbands regard for her vas
evident from the benefactions which he
me de in her memory. The first OF these
v as the gift of his Philadelphia home,
with its contents. valued at $500. 900. 10
Inc city for use as q library. II is now
known is the II. Josephine Widener
Memorial Branch Of the Free Library
Of Philadelphia.
In 1899 he founded and endowed. at
Logan, Penn. the Widener Memorial
Training School for Crippled Children
IS another memorial 20 his wife. and
else for the sake Of his third son.
Opless cripple. who died in childhood.
10 its original cost OF S2000,0O0 he
iGded 100000 in further improve
nents and endovmcnts.
In all. his memorials 10 his wife are
believed TO have involved an outlay Of
not less than Sll 100000.
After the death Of his second son.
George D. Widener. and his grandson,
Harry Elkins Nidorer. he announced
that he would build ~ annex 10 the
Harvard University Library. in which
"a house the valuable collection Of
books which was left by mis- grandson.
Harry Elkins Widencr the building.
known as the Harry Elkins Widener
Memorial Library. y three stories high.
p, by 30 feet, ana cost about Sj0NOO0.