My Genealogy Hound

JAMES W. CORRELL, one of the active and prominent citizens and substantial business men of Easton, who has her welfare deeply at heart, has been a member of the City Council for six years and is now President of the Common Council. He is a leading member of the Republican party, having intelligent and well founded views on affairs of moment. For the past fourteen years he has been successfully engaged in business at No. 12 Center Square and for four years has dealt in wholesale dry goods and notions, and has succeeded in building up a large trade.

The birth of our subject occurred about two and a-half miles from this city, in the township of Palmer, June 8, 1852, but his boyhood was passed in Easton. His parents were George W. and Caroline (Wagner) Correll. On the paternal side he is of German lineage. Peter Correll, his grandfather, was born in Northampton County, followed the occupation of farming, and at one time was identified with the Mills estate of Easton. Religiously he was a member of the German Reformed Church, in the faith of which he had been reared. Our subject’s father was born on the old homestead, February 22, 1826, and he too followed agricultural pursuits, until the year 1857, since which time he has been a resident of Easton. In politics he is a Republican, and, as did his father, holds membership with the Reformed Church. His two children were Susan and James W.

After receiving a good common-school education, James W. Correll drove teams for his father for a short time, and at the age of seventeen years entered the employ of Jacob Hay. The latter, who is now deceased, was formerly a wholesale dry-goods merchant, and a member of the firm of J. Hay & Son. After being in his employ for twelve years, during which time he learned every department of the business, he branched out for himself, and in company with a Mr. Bixler, began dealing in wholesale dry goods and notions at his present location. Since that time he has given his best energies and attention to the wants of his customers, and when only four years had elapsed it was found necessary to greatly increase the stock and general facilities of the business. Upon due representation of the needs of the firm, John Knecht was induced to erect the building they now occupy, which is 40x130 feet in dimensions. The large and well selected stock of the firm is displayed on the three floors of the building, and the time has long passed since there was any question of their ultimate success.

September 20, 1877, Mr. Correll married Ida Otto, a daughter of Mrs. Elmira Otto, of Easton. Three sons have come to bless their home, their names in order of birth being as follows: George W., John O. and Paul R. Mr. and Mrs. Correll are active members of the Third Street German Reformed Church. Formerly our subject was a Deacon, being one of the youngest to serve in that capacity in the congregation. Fraternally our subject is identified with Dallas Lodge No. 126 of Easton. He is a man who is held in the highest esteem by all who have the pleasure of his acquaintance, and his unfailing courtesy has brought to him many customers during the years he has been engaged in business.