USA > Pennsylvania > Historic homes and institutions and genealogical and personal memoirs of the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania Vol. I > Part 35
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Eilisha Knight (father) was a merchant in Thompson, Connecticut, also in Dudley, Massa- chusetts, and was engaged as a manufacturer in Poughkeepsie, New York, and the latter years of his life were spent in retirement from active business pursuits in Danbury, Connecticut. The members of the Knight and Hancock families were Congregationalists in their religious belief, but Elisha Knight and his wife withdrew their membership from that denomination and united with the Presbyterian. Elisha Knight married Lucy Ann Post, for his second wife; she was born in Canaan, Connecticut, and died in Dan- bury, Connecticut, in 1888. He was the father of the following named children, all by his first wife : I. Allen H., died at the age of twenty-one years. 2. Samuel, who went to California, was superin- tendent of the Wells Fargo Company, and died in that State. 3. John Tyson, mentioned herein- after. 4. William H., who is a resident of Cali- fornia, where he was a merchant for many years, later was an administrator, and he is now living a retired life. 5. Elizabeth. 6. Mary B., who died in infancy. Elisha Knight, father of these chil- dren, died in Danbury, Connecticut, in 1869.
John Tyson Knight was about ten years of age when his parents removed to Poughkeepsie, New York, and his education was acquired in the Poughkeepsie Academy. He then served as clerk in a drug store for a few years, after which he came to Easton, Pennsylvania, and for a short space of time was employed in a bank. He then
entered the employ of the Thomas Iron Company, served in the capacity of secretary and treasurer for more than forty years, and at the time of his decease, December 15, 1892, and for one and a half years previously, was the president of the company. Through his efforts the Easton Trust Company was organized and he was primarily instrumental in the building of their magnificent brick block at the corner of Northampton and Third streets. He was a Republican in his political views.
Mr. Knight married Maria Eva Burke, who was born in Easton, Pennsylvania, a daughter of -- and Susanna (Wagner) Burke, and two children were born to them : Joseph H., who died in infancy ; and Elizabeth B., who died at the age of three years. Mrs. Knight died De- cember 14, 1891.
The following resolutions on the death of John T. Knight were adopted at a meeting of the board of directors of The Thomas Iron Company, held at Easton, Pennsylvania, February 9, 1893.
WHEREAS, This Board of Directors has again for the third time within a period of four months sustained a severe loss in the sudden removal, by death, of another of its members, Mr. John T. Knight, our highly esteemed president. There- fore be it
Resolved, That we feel it a pleasant duty to bear unqualified testimony to his untiring devo- tion to the interests of the company, in the respec- tive offices of secretary and treasurer and latterly of president filled by him, the whole covering the entire period of the company's existence.
Resolved, That in our long intercourse with our now deceased friend, we had learned to con- fide in his sound judgment, and well considered conduct of whatever was intrusted to his care, whether as the company's financial agent or as its chief executive officer, industrious, painstak- ing and uniformly courteous, his worth is the more appreciated as we attempt to fill the posi- tions made vacant by his death.
Resolved, That in the universal esteem in which Mr. Knight was held in the community at large, we recognize the value of a well ordered life, calm, sensible and deliberate ; his conclu- sions on matters of business were entitled to and received the confidence of his associates.
The directors of the First National Bank of
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Easton attended the funeral of Mr. Knight in a body, and also adopted the following resolutions :
WHEREAS, The sudden decease, without pre- monition or warning, of John T. Knight, a mem- ber of this board, has occurred, and
WHEREAS, He had served the bank in his earlier years in other relations, and since 1876 as a Director, together making a quarter of a century, all characterized by positive interest and flawless fidelity, therefore
Resolved, That we make this record of our appreciation of his large resources to meet all fiduciary duties and obligations, his safe judg- ment as a financier, his conscientious loyalty to the interests he had in trust, and his uniform urbanity in his intercourse with coadjutors.
Resolved, That his memory will be cherished as a courteous, watchful and wise director, and as unflinching friend of the institution from its earliest year until his demise.
The president and board of managers of the Easton Delaware Bridge also attended the funeral in a body, and placed on record the following tribute to the memory of the deceased :
He had been very intimately associated with the various business enterprises of this city, and had so admirably fulfilled all the responsibilities anl trusts to which he had been called, that his example is worthy of earnest imitation, though very few may hope for like eminence. Of strict integrity, most kind and courteous deportment, with unwavering fidelity in every official station, he at once became a most valued member of our body, and obtained the lasting esteem and friend- ship of his fellow men. His life in his personal relations was honorable and most commendable, and has exhibited and set forth a type of Chris- tian manhood and one which we long will keep in our grateful remembrance.
The board of directors of the Easton Trust Company placed upon its minutes the following tribute :
In the death of our fellow Director and Pres- ident, John T. Knight, we have sustained a great loss, and desire to record this tribute to his mem- ory. As an officer and Director he was earnest, zealous, far-seeing and prudent ; in details, scrup- ulously exact and methodical ; in contact, affable
and kindly. Prompt, able, courteous, he was an ideal man of affairs. In his social relations he was the embodiment of kindness, courtesy, and gentleness. He was delicately and conscien- tiously free from all willful wrong in thought, word or deed. The benevolence of his heart was the marked feature of his character. His was a most genial spirit-affectionate and kind to his friends, courteous to all. Enemies he had none. His death is a loss to his associates, to business circles, and to the community.
Resolutions of a similar tone were also adopted by the Fenn Gas-Coal Company and the Edison Illuminating Company.
WILLIAM OSCAR HAY, son of Captain Jacob Hay, and now a member of the Hay Boct and Shoe Company, of Easton, was born in the city where he still resides, May 21, 1861.
His education was obtained in the public schools, and he was obliged to abandon his cher- ished plan of pursuing a collegiate education on account of his eyesight. Throughout his business career he has been identified with two of the old- est and most reliable mercantile establishments of Easton. In 1879 he became a member of the wholesale dry-goods firm of J. Hay & Sons, and for ten years was the buyer for that house. In 1889 he engaged in the wholesale boot and shce business with his father under the firm name of the Hay Boot and Shoe Company, and for almost fifteen years he has been buyer and general man- ager. He was associated with his father in busi- ness enterprises until the latter's death, and has since that time been connected with his brother, Thomas A. H. Hay. The dry-goods business was closed out in 1896, and with his brother Thomas he has continued in the boot and shoe trade. The
ground upon which the present store stands has been in possession of the family and utilized for business purposes since 1854. The shoe store was founded by the father in 1875, and has con- tinuously been in possession of representatives of the name, being now the property of the brothers, William Oscar and Thomas A. H. Hay.
Politically Mr. Hay is a Republican, and is well known in Masonic circles in the Lehigh valley, being a member of Easton Lodge, No.
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152, F. and A. M .; Easton Chapter, No. 173, R. A. M .; and Hugh DePayens Commandery, No. 19, K. T. He also belongs to the Sons of Veterans Camp of Easton. A member of the Presbyterian church, he is now serving as a trustee of the Brainard Union Church. On the IIth of June, 1890, Mr. Hay wedded Miss Mar- garet Vance Hunt, a daughter of Floyd B. and Katherine (Folkerson) Hunt, of Virginia. Mrs. Hay was born October 4, 1866, and there are six children of this marriage: William Oscar, Jr., who was born April 15, 1891 ; Katherine Folker- son, born November 11, 1893; James Hurt Wil- son, born September 11, 1897 ; Alexander Wilson, born February 10, 1899; Margaret, born October 22, 1901 ; and Annie Wilson, who was born Sep- tember 20, 1903.
JAMES W. CORRELL, one of the repre- sentative and successful business men of Easton, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, is a lineal descendant of Christian Correll, whose birth is supposed to have taken place in Bucks county, Pennsylvania. Christian Correll, when a boy, was a teamster in the Revolutionary war, and hauled produce from the section of the state in which he resided to Washington's army during its sojourn in New Jersey. Subsequently he turned his attention to farming, conducting his operations on a farm which was formerly the property of Charles Bopt, in Forks township, Northampton county. In 1760 Christian Correll married, and his wife bore him two children, both of whom died in infancy. After the death of his first wife, Mr. Correll married Catherine Kessler, and the following named children were born to them: John, died unmarried; Nelia, who became the wife of Henry Whitesell; Peter, twice married, grandfather of James W. Correll; Han- nah, who was the wife of John Raul; Catherine, who was the wife of Philip Lent, and they reared a large family of children ; Elizabeth, who was the wife of George , and reared a family of several children ; Sarah, who became the wife of Daniel Schwartz, and subsequently located in Chester county, Pennsylvania; Lydia, died un-
married; George, who lived and died near the city of Buffalo, New York; and Mary Ann Correll.
George W. Correll (father,) son of Peter Correll, was born in Forks township, Northamp- ton county, Pennsylvania, February 22, 1826, and the early years of his life were spent on a farm, where he acquired a thorough and compre- hensive knowledge of the routine work connected with the occupation of farming. In 1857 he re- moved to Easton, where he engaged in draying, and by careful attention to business, reinforced by the energy and perseverance necessary to suc- cess in any undertaking, built up a lucrative trade which he retains at the present time (1903). In politics Mr. Correll is a stanch Republican, tak- ing an intelligent interest in all public questions, and in religion he is a member of the First Re- formed church, in which he has served as elder for thirty years. In 1849 George W. Correll and Caroline Wagner, daughter of Frederick Wag- ner, were united in marriage, their children be- ing Susan A., and James W. Correll.
James W. Correll, only son of George W. and Caroline (Wagner) Correll, was born in Forks township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, June 8, 1852. He attended the public schools of his native township, and at the age of seventeen years began his business career by entering the employ of Jacob Hay, a wholesale drygoods mer- chant, where he remained for twelve years. In 1880 Mr. Correll entered into partnership with F. S. Bixler, in the same line of trade, under the style of Bixler & Correll, and this connection continued until the year 1897, when Mr. Correll withdrew his interest from the firm and estab- lished the J. W. Correll Drygoods House, which he is successfully conducting at the present time (1903). Mr. Correll is a man of great energy, enterprise, and business ability, and as such would be certain of achieving success in any undertaking. Mr. Correll has always been a loyal adherent of the Republican party, and has served two terms as president of the common council of Easton. He is a member of Dallas Lodge, Free and Ac- cepted Masons, and past sachem of Saranac Tribe
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of Red Men. He has held membership for many years in the First Reformed church of Easton, Pennsylvania.
On September 20, 1877, Mr. Correll married Ida Otto, born in Easton, Pennsylvania, in 1855, a daughter of John J. Otto. Their children are: I. George W., Jr., born July 31, 1878, married, February, 1900, Rhoda Brakley, and they are the parents of one child, Margaret Brakley Correll ; George W., Jr., is engaged in business with his father. 2. John O., born June 20, 1881, also en- gaged in business with his father. 3. Paul R .. born January. II, 1885, a student in Lafayette College, of the class of 1906.
DERRICK HULICK, for many years num- bered among the most enterprising men of large affairs of the city of Easton, and held in the highest regard for his nobility of personal char- acter and his devotion to the better interests of the community, was of mingled Welsh and Dutch blood, and combined in himself the best traits of the two races whence he sprang.
His father, Henry Hulick, came from ances- tors who were native to Holland, and aided in the making of the province which now exists as the state of New York, and in the peopling of the adjacent New Jersey region. Henry Hulick was born in the state last named, where he re- sided for many years, thence removing to Michi- gan, near Detroit, where he died. He was a farmer by occupation, and a man of excellent character and disposition. He married Phœbe Morgan, who was of Welsh ancestry, and was probably born in New Jersey; her father, Ben- jamin Morgan, was a son of the Rev. Joseph Morgan.
Derrick Hulick, one of the several children born to Henry and Phœbe (Morgan) Hulick, was born in the year 1814, in Oxford township, Warren county, New Jersey. He was reared upon the parental farm, upon which he remained until nineteen years of age. He had acquired an ex- cellent English education, and he now entered the employ of John Drake, wholesale grocer, and served with such acceptability that only two years later he was admitted to partnership, the firm
name reading Drake & Hulick. With this estab- lishment Mr. Hulick was connected for the re- mainder of his life, and he was a principal factor in all that entered into the large and continual development of its business. For a number of years the firm occupied the old stone house ad- joining the National Hotel, on Northampton street, whence a removal was made to the corner of Fourth and Northampton streets. Here the business expanded to such pro- portions that larger accommodations became necessary, and the firm erected a large building of its own on South Third street. By this time the house of J. Drake, Son & Co., as it was now styled, was transacting a business of such magni- tude, that it came to be recognized for what it is to-day, the leading house in its line in the great Lehigh Valley. During all these years, from the time of his first connection with it until the very day of his death, Mr. Hulick gave to the business his constant and best effort. With all the instincts of the accomplished man of affairs, he was also gifted with a rare sense of foresight, and was ever broadening the policy of his firm, and leading it into larger fields of enterprise. In all these deal- ings, whether with his associates or with the public whom he served, he was always regarded as the soul of honor and his name was ever taken as a synonym for all that was honorable and en- tirely just.
Mr. Hulick was also actively interested in various important manufacturing and financial corporations, among them the Thomas Iron Com- pany of Hokendauqua, the Warren Foundry of Phillipsburg, the Allentown Rolling Mills, and the First National Bank. He was a man of marked public spirit, and was ever among the most liberal and energetic in promoting and fos- tering educational, religious and benevolent move- ments and institutions. His benefactions were be- stowed liberally, but with discrimination, and he not only endeared himself to very many by his deeds of kindness in times of poverty and sor- row, but also to many others whom he set on the highway to fortune by his kindly interest, sagac- ious advice and substantial aid. During the Civil war he was one of the most ardent of pa-
Denich Aulick
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triots, and he freely gave of his time and means aiding in the recruiting and equiping of troops, and in providing for the families of volunteers while the husband and parent was battling for the government on far distant fields. In religion, Mr. Hulick was a Presbyterian, and as a trustee he was ever among the foremost in promoting the interest and usefulness of the First Church of Easton.
On Christmas eve, 1840, Mr. Hulick was married to Miss Ruth Swayze, who was born near Hope, New Jersey, daughter of Ezekiel and Letitia (Coryell) Swayze. Her father, who was a son of Gilbert Swayze, was a farmer, and died in early life, when she was a child. Her mother's father, Joseph Coryell, was a son of John Coryell, who served in the pratiot army during the Revolu- tionary war, and was with Washington at the crossing of the Delaware. The Coryell family was of Huguenot descent.
Derrick and Ruth (Swayze) Hulick were the parents of six children: 1. Mary Frances, who became the wife of George B. Titus, deceased. 2. Henry, who died at the age of nine years. 3. Anna Eliza, who became the wife of James Edgar Young, deceased. 4. Winfield Scott, who resides in Easton. 5. William H., who resides in New York. 6. Edwin, who died in young manhood.
Mr. Hulick died June 27, 1872, and the deep sorrow which the sad event brought to the com- munity found expression from both pulpit and press. The Easton Daily Express made the announcement in the following :
"Again are we compelled to record the work of the fell destroyer. Death has been busy within the past year, removing from our midst some of the best known of the residents of Easton. Gen- erally speaking they have passed away after a longering illness, and when their sufferings have been so great that death almost seemed a relief. This time, however, the attack has been sudden, and in the full vigor of manhood the subject of these remarks has been stricken down without any previous warning. We refer to Derrick Hulick, Esq., who departed this life at his resi- dence at twenty minutes to 2 o'clock this morn- ing. Mr. Hulick had returned home about 9:30 P. M., and, as was his habit, sat down in the sitting
room to read. It was his usual custom before retiring to examine the rear of the house to see that all the fastenings were secure. For this purpose it is necessary to go down the winding stairs in the back building, and, these being usu- ally dark, as they were last evening, it is sup- posed that he missed his footing and fell. The family at the time were sitting on the front stoop, and it was not until about retiring that they noticed him at the bottom of the stairs. He was raised and conveyed to bed, and the family phy- sician sent for. That gentleman announced that he had ruptured a blood vessel, and that the chances of recovery were small. All the assist- ance that medical science could render was given, but without beneficial effect, and the patient lin- gered in an unconscious state until I :40 A. M. when he breathed his last. * Mr. Hulick * was a man of sterling integrity, unquestioned * honesty, and was highly respected by all with whom he came in contact. His sudden death has caused a feeling of sadness among his numerous friends, who deeply sympathize with the stricken family in their sad bereavement."
HENRY G. SIEGFRIED, cashier of the Easton National Bank, Easton, Pennsylvania, is a descendant of an old and honored family of German origin. His early American ancestor was Joseph Siegfried, who was a brother of Colonel John Siegfried, of Revolutionary fame.
Joseph (1) married Anna Maria Romig, who was born in Northampton (now Lehigh) county, Pennsylvania. Their son Isaac (2) was born in Berks county, September 14, 1763. He was a millwright for many years, and his business called him to various portions of the State. He finally settled upon a farm about two miles above Naz- areth, and followed agricultural pursuits, at the same time giving much of his attention to his trade. He was married, in Schoharie county, New York, to Anna Maria Hochstresser, who was born April 19, 1771. They died, respectively, November 6, 1833, and December 2, 1831. Both were members of the Dutch Reformed church, and they reared their family in that faith. Their children were: I. Joshua, born December 24. 1791; 2. Paul, born June 24, 1793, who was a drummer during the war with Great Britain in 1812; 3. Joseph, who died in infancy ; 4. Samuel,
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of whom more hereinafter ; 5. Elizabeth Catherine, born July 6, 1801, died in 1867; 6. Anna Maria, born in 1805 and died in 1818; 7. Solomon, born in April, 1811, and died in 1867.
Samuel (3), fourth son and child of Isaac and Anna Maria (Hochstresser) Siegfried, was born in Berks county, Pennsylvania, March 31, 1797. He was a self-educated man, and of remarkable talent and attainments. He was so proficient in knowledge that in early manhood he began his career as a teacher, and he came to be widely known as an accomplished instructor. He was passionately fond of music, and possessed a genu- ine talent for the art. After he had studied under Mr. Zurick, the organist of the Reformed church of Easton, he himself became a successful teacher. He also built an organ, and made no little repu- tation as a composer of music for that instrument and for the choral service of the church. He was, besides, a self-taught printer and engraver, and he purchased a quantity of type, made with his own hands a printing press, and from this equip- ment he produced, in 1834, the first arithmetic printed in the German language in the United States, and the illustrations in which were his own handiwork. He also established the first Demo- cratic newspaper in Stroudsburg, which he con- ducted for about a year, when he removed to Easton. There he purchased the Independent Democrat, a German journal, which he edited and managed for several years with marked ability. In 1848 he was elected register of Northampton county, and he discharged the duties of that re- sponsible position most creditably until 1854, when he abandoned active pursuits and retired to a well earned life of quiet during his declining days. He was an elder in the First Reformed church of Easton, and politically he was a Demo- crat. He was married, January 15, 1825, to Eliza Schweitzer, who was born in Lehigh township, Northampton county, Pennsylvania, March 19, 1810, and they died, respectively August 12, 1869, and March 8, 1889. Their children were: I. Diana P., born May 10, 1826; 2. Susan M., born April 7, 1828 ; 3. Catherine E., born January 29, 1830 ; 4. Josiah A., born August 24, 1832 ; 5. Oli- ver W., born August 17, 1834, died September 15,
1836; 6. Reuben H., to be written of further ; 7. Lavina L., born August 9, 1838, died December 6, 1891 ; 8. Neander D., born April 22, 1842, who was a gallant soldier during the Civil war, and died December 6, 1870.
Reuben H. Siegfried (4), sixth child and third son of Samuel and Eliza Schweitzer was born in the city of Easton, July 17, 1836. He was educated in the common schools, and in his early youth entered his father's printing office and became an expert printer. Later, however, he became clerk and bookkeeper in a mercantile es- tablishment. He subsequently accepted the po- sition of teller in the Easton National Bank, and retained his connection with that institution until his death. He was a man of superior business qualifications, and an irreproachable citizen. He was a member of St. Mark's Reformed church, and he was for many years superintendent of its infant Sunday school. He was also a member of the Masonic fraternity, and of the Order of United American Mechanics. His political af- filiations were with the Democratic party.
Mr. Siegfried married Miss Matilda Griffith, who was born in Easton, a daughter of Henry and Mary Griffith ; her father was a native of Twick- enham, England, and came to Easton in his early manhood. The children of this marriage were: I. Clara, who married (first) Dr. Archibald Bachman, to whom she bore two children, Mar- jorie and Marion ; her second husband was Robert Pittenger, and their children were Anna, Peter, Clyde and Matilda. 2. Anna M., who is unmar- ried ; 3. Mary, who is the wife of Charles J. Montague, and their children are Leslie, Lelia and Maxwell; 4. Henry G., to be further written of ; 5. Louis, who is a bookkeeper in a railroad of- fice, and who married Miss Florence Watmore ; 6. William H., who is a machinist, and who mar- ried Mary Kitchen; 7. Charles Edward. The father of these children died March 12, 1881.
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