Josiah Correll

As printed in 1892

OSIAH CORRELL. Many pleasant homes are seen throughout the extent of Stark,1, County, some of which are of more than ordinary beauty, either in architectural designs or surroundings. Among those in Plain Township which are commodious and convenient is that of Josiah Correll, whose substantial residence is set in the midst of a neatly trimmed lawn, which makes of it one of the most beautiful places in the county. It is furnished in accordance with the taste of the occupants, and displays the presence of refined womanhood in its arrangement.

A native of this township, our subject was born on section 15, the date thereof being November 19, 1836. His father, John Correll, was born in Adams County, Pa., in 1788, and was of German descent, the first representatives having come to this country from Alsace, and settled in Pennsylvania. The father of our subject came with his family of ten children to this county- in 1824, the trip, which was made overland, consuming two weeks. Here he purchased one hundred and sixty acres of land on the southwest quarter of section 34, on which the only improvements were a log cabin and barn. He was a hard worker, andere long had placed the entire amount under good tillage, and his well-directed efforts resulted in supplying his family with a comfortable home and many enjoyments. He was a member of the Christian Church, and aided in the organization of the church in Canton, and toward the erection of the building gave material support. His death occurred at the age of seventy-one years, three months and ten days. He was a Democrat in politics until the appearance of the Republican party, when he joined its ranks.

The mother of our subject, prior to her marriage, was Mrs. Elizabeth Lind, and was born in Adams County, Pa., in 1794. She became the mother of twelve children, namely: Jacob N., Samuel, John, Catherine, Fannie, Maria, Ann Eliza, Sarah J., Nancy, Jeremiah, Margaret and Josiah. Five of the family are now deceased. The wife and mother, who survived her husband a number of years, departed this life in March, 1875, when eight-one years of age. She, too, was a member of the Christian Church.

The original of this sketch received a limited education, owing to the comparative!y rude surroundings of his boj-hood. The early public schools of Ohio having on their curriculnra only- the common branches, he was well grounded in these, and being imbued with native intelligence and a desire tor information, he has by reading, observation and experience become well informed. The natural bent of his mind and early training combined to lead him to farming as his life work, and after his marriage, March 20, 1862, he took charge of the home place for one j'ear, and then, removing to this township, purchased fift acres of land, and there resided until 186G, when he traded for the tract which he now occupies. The estate comprises ninety--two and one-half acres of land, the greater portion of which is placed under excellent cultivation, and which gives indication that the owner is determined to make his home pleasant as well as remunerative. His intelligence, enterprising nature and honorable dealing have given him an excellent standing in both business and social circles, and caused him to be classed among the representative agriculturists of the county.

The maiden name of our subject's wife was Mary- E. Mcntzer, and she was born in this township, March 9, 1838. She is the daughter of David and Christcna (Hull) Mentzer. To Mr. and Mrs. Correll have been granted a family of five children, namely: Charles G., who is married and makes his home on a farm in this township; Edwin S., Ada

M., Nettie J. and Lillie L., at home. Besides raising the cereals which are best adapted to the soil of his estate, our subject buys horses every fall, which he feeds during the winter, and then sells at a handsome profit in the spring. In 1891, he shipped a carload to Boston, where they were sold. He has stock in the new Imperial Brick Company, and judging from the sui)erior article which they manufacture it is destined to take a high place among the industries in this section.

Mr. and Mrs. Correll are members of the Christian Church in Canton, and it is their constant endeavor to order their lives right, and to train their children in the way they should go. In politics, our subject votes with the Republican party. He has been veiy successful in life, and owns residence property on Logan, Aultman and South Cleveland Avenues in Cai.ton. His fellow-citizens hold him in great respect, and upon their solicitation he has held the office of Road Supervisinfor six years, being now the incumltent of that position, and during that time has done much to add to the comfort of the traveling public by the good improvements which he has projected and carried to completion.

[This passage is too damaged in the scanned book to reproduce. See the original book.]

Reuben Roush was a native of Pennsylvania, and was born November 2, 1817. He was a son of Frederick and Annie M. Roush, both of whom were natives of the Quaker State, but of German ancestiy. When a boy, our subject emigrated with his parents to Stark County and settled in Perry Township. They were counted among the earliest pioneers, experiencing all the vicissitudes and trials in the various phases of the development of the country. Both parents died here. Reuben did his full share in reclaiming the whole farm from its original wilderness, and was interested in all public enteriH'ises. His educational advantages were small, but what he lacked in book lore he made up in grit and "gumption."

For twenty years Mr. Roiish ran a sawmill at Richville, carrying on in connection with this interest quite an extensive farming business, his tract of land being about two miles south of Richville. This he developed from virgin woodland. He might be considered a typical Ohio pioneer, having all their push and energy, balanced by intelligence and discretion. December 25, 1840, he was married to Miss Lydia Jacoby, a native of this locality and born.Tune 21, 1821. She is a daughter of David and Mary Jacoby, both of whom were natives of Pennsdvania and pioneers in Perry Township. The young married couple settled in a log cabin in the midst of thick woods, on the farm where she now resides. She was a model pioneer's wife and made the best of existing circumstances, calling upon her ingenuity to supplement the scanty conveniences of that early day.

Mr. and Mrs. Roush had a large family of children, of whom the following survive: Mary M., now Mrs. John Hartzell; John A., who married Eliza Foltz; Catherine L., now Mrs. Newton Koontz; Francis M., who married Clara B. Wingard; Ann M., the wife of George Rutter; Ida M., wife of William Rutter; Calvin R., who married Catherine Nay; Laura M., who is the wife of William Miller; Lincoln A., who married Ora Smith; and Minnie E., the wife of Edward Jacoby.

Mr. Roush had served as Trustee of Perry Township, and was a leading and influential citizen. In politics, he was a Republican, and in hischureli relations, he was a Methodist. In the city of Massillon, he was well and favorably known as a business man, one whose word could always be implicitly relied upon. In domestic life, he was a model of tenderness, forethought and forbearance. As a friend and neighbor, his good qualities were man\', and in his death I'erry Township lost one of her most estimable citizens. His widow still resides on the home farm, which comprises one hundred and twenty acres of good and arable land. She has at command a fund of anecdotes and incidents of pioneer days that would bo valuable to the historical societies of the State.

As printed in Portrait biographical record of Stark county, Ohio. Containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens, together with biographies and portraits of all the presidents of the Unit (1892). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.