140 Years Ago - 1880

General Garfield has sent a letter accepting the Republican nomination for president to Senator Hoar of Massachusetts.

On Wednesday, July 21st, Henry Gergen of Callicoon Center and Margaret Duttweiler of Jeffersonville were married at the German Methodist Episcopal parsonage by Rev. F. Glenk.

The American Union Telegraph company is putting up a wire from Middletown to Newburgh.

The hub factory at Hancock furnishes the hubs used by the Studebaker Wagon Factory at South Bend, Ind.

The subscriptions for the Statue of Liberty, to be erected on Bedloes Island, New York Harbor, is completed. The statue is to be completed and erected in 1883.

Liberty Knox the famous hatter, is spending the summer in this vicinity. Sarles & Purvis are again in full blast in the basement of the Sherwood building… The south side of the lower part of Main Street is being graded for the reception of a flag walk.

Callicoon Depot — The company's quarry at this place was reopened last week, giving employment to 12 men. The gravel train will be put on this week… Mrs. Catherine Schumacher of Beechwoods has an apple tree, planted only 2 years ago, now bearing 14 apples, some of them measuring five and one half inches in circumference.

North Branch — Wm. Graby lost a valuable horse last week… H.C. Mootz raised a flagstone in his quarry last week measuring 9 feet wide by 25 feet long… The post office has been changed from G. Bakmeyer's store to the store of Henry Inderlied.

Mr. H. Unglaub, Presbyterian minister at Jeffersonville, has discontinued preaching there. Another pastor is expected in a few weeks.

Charles Stanton of the Jeffersonville House will shortly engage in the business of butchering.

Valentine Ditmer of Fosterdale celebrated his silver wedding on July 17.

130 Years Ago - 1890

George W. Taylor, son of John W. and Marie Taylor of Hurd Settlement, died July 1, 1880, aged 8 months and 9 days.

Ernest Hoos has published a notice that he will run a bakery wagon from Liberty through Jeffersonville every Wednesday and Friday with wheat, rye and graham breads, pies and cakes.

Jacob Elias, who recently bought the Prindle tract of 4100 acres near Livingston Manor, and who projected many improvements, among them a railroad from Livingston Manor to the tract, died at Buffalo Tuesday.

F. Wohler of North Branch claims to have been the pioneer in the summer boarding business in that part of the county. Fourteen years ago, he entertained the first boarders who ever summered there.

The first outdoor entertainment in Jeffersonville this season will be held under the auspices of the Jeffersonville Fire Company. It will be a grand picnic and green corn dance, and will be held in Fred Scheidell's beautiful grove, so much talked about lately, on Wednesday, July 30. A committee of five is in charge: W.P. Coventry, M. Gabriel, W.F. Grishaber, Edwin Brand and Esquire Oliver Hofer.

Mrs. Victor Hofer sent us a splendid mess of new potatoes from her garden the other day. They were large and mealy. Thanks.

The Beechwood picnic and harvest fest will be held on Thursday, August 21st.

The Monticello papers say that ex-supervisor Samuel P. Lynch of Centreville left for parts unknown. There are, as is usually the case, a number of people minus a lot of money.

There will be a platform dance on Alley's new covered platform at Kenoza Lake every Saturday evening. Good music will be in attendance.

120 Years Ago - 1900

Ambrose Eginor, an Ontario & Western trainman, and Mrs. Bertha Babcock of Livingston Manor, were married at that place on July 8th.

Warner Adams and Zelma E. White of Kellam, Pa., were married by Rev. L.R. Long at Callicoon Depot, July 15.

Jos. H. Henrich of New York spent Sunday and Monday with his parents here.

Mary O., daughter of Marcus Ross of Callicoon Depot, died on July 5th, aged 40 years.

Annie Abplanalp, wife of Valentine Bernhardt, died at her home in Dunmore, Pa., Tuesday. She formerly resided near Briscoe and at Kenoza Lake, removing to Dunmore about 18 years ago. She was the sister of Andrew Abplanalp of Youngsville and John B. Abplanalp of Missouri. Her husband, three daughters and one son survive.

Phil Bietz has begun improvements by painting the front of his place of business.

Mrs. Ed Mathern has been ill for several days brought on by overwork.

The Jeffersonville Cornet Band has suspended its regular practice meetings for the summer.

W. Bollenbach, the miller, finished repairing his dam yesterday and the pond is now filled with water again.

Theron Potts received notice last week that he had passed the examination necessary for his admission to the bar. He will have to go to Albany to have the admission formally executed.

Victor Hofer is raising some monster lettuce. He showed us a head the other day which weighed two and one half pounds. It was the size of a large cabbage head.

A gypsy outfit of four wagons which have been camping on the DeWitt Flats, passed through town on Tuesday going in the direction of Kenoza Lake.

110 Years Ago - 1910

Louis Erdman has bought the Lovett place on the island for $2000.

Kathleen Faubel of Roscoe is spending the week with relatives in Jeffersonville.

Dr. Oscar Schminke of New York paid a visit to artist Rau in Jeff on Monday. Dr. Schminke has given up a lucrative dental practice to take up the study of music, in which he is especially talented.

A daughter was born Friday to Mr. and Mrs. Franklin Neuberger.

The old 40x95 foot barn on Fred Schaefer's farm in the Beechwoods with its 11x51 ft. addition, was destroyed by fire early last Thursday morning, together with its contents, which consisted of hay, grain, some fowl, wagons, farm implements, harnesses, etc. The loss is estimated at about $2500.

Henry A. Reum, an aged resident of Beechwoods, was stricken with apoplexy while assisting in the hay field on July 12th and died two days later. Born in Germany 76 years ago, he had lived on the farm where he died, since 1861. He was married in 1855 and is survived by his wife and three children, Laura Heyen and Frederick Reum of New York City, and Valentine Reum on the homestead together with 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. Charles A. Ranft of Jeffersonville is a half-brother.

Rev. Frank Neal, the Methodist minister on the Callicoon Charge, has resigned.

The Board of Supervisors on Saturday at Monticello opened bids for furnishings in the new courthouse.

John Kastner, a former Callicoon Center boy who has made a fortune in the cider and vinegar business in Brooklyn, has bought a house and lot in Rockland where he and Mrs. Kastner are spending the summer.

Mrs. Mayer, wife of Theodore Mayer who runs the Flynn Hotel at White Sulphur Springs, died Saturday, leaving her husband and two children.

100 Years Ago - 1920

Middletown, July 10 — A suit for $50,000 damages against Mr. and Mrs. Samuel G. Meeter of Middletown, has just been commenced by Mrs. Cono A. Kohler, an administratrix of the estate of her deceased husband, Ralph U. Kohler. Mr. Kohler was fatally injured on May 14 on the farm of Mr. and Mrs. Meeter, located near the filter plant of this city. The flywheel on a circular saw being used to saw wood, suddenly burst and a piece of metal about the size of a cannon ball was driven entirely through the body of Mr. Kohler. Watts, Oakes and Bright are representing Mrs. Kohler in a suit that will be tried probably in October, in the Supreme Court in Orange County.

A libel action for $25,000 damages has been brought by Valentine Scheidell, business manager of the Callicoon Cooperative Dairy Association, against W.J. Heidt Jr., publisher of the Callicoon Democrat, because of an article published May 26th concerning the affairs and management of the association. Wm. Deckelman is attorney for the plaintiff.

The Callicoon Fish and Game Club is distributing to its members 250 pheasant eggs received this week from the Conservation Commission.

Miss Hilda vonBergen, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Andrew vonBergen of Jeffersonville, has won a Cornell scholarship against three other contestants in Sullivan County. She scored 290 out of a possible 350 points. Only 16 years old, Miss vonBergen will pursue a course of classical studies at Cornell in the fall.

John Brog of Swiss Hill is building a new, large barn.

Joseph P. Tempel of Shandelee has sold his farm to Alfred Hust and Albert Epp of New York. The former is a son of the late Fred A. Hust, who was born on the family homestead here.

90 Years Ago - 1930

Referee Kilburn of the State Compensation Commission, at a hearing at Monticello Monday, confirmed an award of $2991 to Kenneth Bury of Roscoe for injuries to his left leg and knee, sustained while employed by the O&W Railroad. The commission found a 75 percent loss of the limb.

The Jeffersonville Presbyterian Church is getting ready to celebrate its 85th anniversary.

Miss Freda Neuberger is attending a summer school for teachers at Albany.

George F. Wagner and family of New York have gone on a six weeks trip to Europe. George will take the baths at Carlsbad, Germany.

Thomas D. Stalker of Narrowsburg has been elected president of the Sullivan County branch of the rural Letter Carriers Association. Other officers named are: Vice President Herbert Ropke of Narrowsburg; Secretary-Treasurer Luther Potts of Jeffersonville. Mrs. Luther Potts was named head of a newly organized ladies auxiliary with Mrs. Andrew Engel of Monticello, vice president, and Mrs. I.W. Silvieus of Monticello, secretary-treasurer.

Troopers J.W. Metzger and C.H. Carpenter from the Sidney barracks are now stationed in Jeffersonville for the summer and are boarding at the Maple Grove House.

August Traugut Neuberger, a resident of Jeffersonville for over three-quarters of a century, died at his home on East Main St., Sunday morning in his 84th year. He was born in New York December 4, 1846, a son of Emil and Caroline Neuberger, natives of Germany, and in April 1851 the family came to Jeffersonville. In 1879 he married Miss Mary Lotz.

80 Years Ago - 1940

Miss Frances Grouten, for many years a hotel hostess at Kenoza Lake and Jeffersonville where her parents conducted hotels, died Wednesday morning, following a stroke on the previous evening. She was born on a farm near Kenoza Lake 81 years ago, a daughter of August Grouten and Catherine Koebel.

Catherine Banuat, widow of August Yochman of New York, died at St. Luke's Hospital in the city on July 16th, at the age of 81. Mrs. Yochman was born in Callicoon Center, a daughter of Henry Banuat and Mary Zahoric, natives of Germany, and when a young lady went to New York where she was married and lived ever since.

The 1940 census shows that the population of Sullivan County has increased from 35,272 in 1930 to 37,685, a gain of 2,413. Liberty has now passed the population of Monticello with 3789 against 3630.

Dr. Rudolph F. Hust, son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Hust of Jeffersonville, and Miss Margaret Louise Scott, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Lee Scott of Lexington, Va., were married there on July 13th. The bridegroom is a Jeff High School graduate and was graduated from the University of Pennsylvania Medical School in 1939.

Mr. and Mrs. William J. Durr, formerly of Jeffersonville, have announced the marriage of their daughter to Daniel J. Downs of the Bronx, where the couple now lives, on July 14th.

Former Bethel Supervisor John F. Obermeyer of Mongaup Valley and Mrs. Leah McGrath of Middletown were married on May 15th. Mr. Obermeyer's first wife died five years ago.

Harold Flaccus has been elected president of the Youngsville Board of Education. The Board has engaged Henry M. Howard Jr. of New York as principal to succeed Burton Hammond.

70 Years Ago - 1950

There seems to be a strong possibility that Bruce Denman, Neversink Supervisor and Republican candidate for Sheriff, and William Pearson of Liberty, Democratic candidate for County Clerk, may decline to run.

Libby Manzolillo is scheduled to box the star bout of five rounds at Billy Soose's Outdoor Arena at Lake Wallenpaupack, Pa., next Friday.

Mrs. Louise Hofer is assisting Mr. Kenneth Fuller at the athletic field for the summer.

Mr. and Mrs. Philip Schaefer of Beechwoods have bought the Kraut house on West End Ave.

A miscellaneous shower was given to Miss Irma Lang at St. George's church Saturday night. Miss Lang is the fiancee of Anthony DiLorenzo of Monticello.

Mr. and Mrs. John Wohltjen spent the weekend with the latter's sister and family, Mrs. Bernard Gohrer in Farmingdale, LI.

On Thursday, July 15, the community was saddened by the sudden passing of Mrs. Eva W. Scardefield at the home of her daughter, Mrs. George Winkelstern. She was born in Middle Village, Queens, the daughter of Barbara Kilber and Anton Schaefer on October 28, 1883. She was married to Walter Scardefield in Queens on December 30, 1903. The Scardefields bought the Philip Mathern farm in Kenoza Lake in April 1919, and have resided there since. Surviving are her husband, two daughters, Mrs. Winkelstern and Mrs. Jean Goldschmidt of Jeffersonville, a son, Walter G. Scardefield Jr.; two foster sons, Arthur and Ernest Terwilliger, both of Jeffersonville, and six grandchildren. Mrs. Scardefield was a member of Lincoln Chapter No. 463, OES, for over 25 years and a member of the PTA.

60 Years Ago - 1960

The 10th annual dinner of the Jeff Synagogue will be held on Sunday evening August 28, at the Commodore Hotel at Swan Lake.

At a meeting of the Jeff Village Board, held at the clerk's office, Seibert's Dolly Madison Shoppe, on Tuesday night, Allen Segar was appointed to the post of Village Clerk to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Fred Seibert.

Last Sunday afternoon, July 31, a host of their friends thronged the Jeff firehouse to pay their respects to one of the community's best known and beloved couples. Freida and Joe Beiling were honored on the occasion of their 40th wedding anniversary.

Simon William Kessler, a lifelong resident of Sullivan County who spent most of his life in the Mileses and Fremont Center area, died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Edward Miller in Jeff, on Tuesday, August 2nd at the age of 88.

Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. John Ellmauer on the birth of a daughter Monday at Liberty-Loomis Hospital, and a boy to Mr. and Mrs. Vernon Meyer of Long Eddy at the Callicoon Hospital.

Mark Anderson, a native of Fremont, living recently in Middletown, died Monday, August 1, at the age of 83.

50 years ago - 1970

Miss Patricia Hermann was crowned Regatta Queen. Miss Prudence Wood was named first runner-up and Miss Rosemary Eck of Livingston Manor was named second runner-up at the Delaware Regatta Ball held last Friday evening at the Delaware Youth Center. She reigned over the regatta weekend. About 150 attended the ball.

Dr. Edward D. Miller, son of Dr. and Mrs. M. Edward Miller of Jeffersonville, has recently become associated with several doctors in Binghamton for practice of Internal Medicine and Hematology. He has also been appointed to the staff at Binghamton General Hospital and Our Lady of Lourdes Memorial Hospital.

Saturday, July 18, Miss Sharon Kutger, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Kutger of Youngsville, became the bride of Walter Nowak, Jr. of Binghamton, at St. Francis R.C. Church in Youngs­ville. Father Joel Munzig officiated.

At the Liberty-Loomis Hospital it was a boy, Allen Roy, July 18, to Mr. and Mrs. Roy Emrich of Youngsville; a boy to Mr. and Mrs. Roger Lynker of Livingston Manor, the same day. On July 21, it was a boy to Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Jones; a boy, July 22, to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Reside of Liberty; a girl the same day to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Misner of Hortonville.

Miss Virginia Harber became the bride of Glen A. Bihler, June 22, in California. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Bihler of Kenoza Lake.

The engagement of Miss Carol Kaplan to Terry Krantz has been announced by her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Kaplan of Jeffersonville. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Donald Krantz of Beechwoods.

Adam Gasko, 64, of Lake Huntington, died Friday, July 24 in Wayne Memorial Hospital, Honesdale. The 62-year resident was an administrative agent at Monticello Raceway.

“To the Mountains by Rail,” a documented historical chronicle of the now defunct O&W Railroad and Sullivan County resorts, has been published by Sullivan County Historian Manville B. Wakefield. It contains hundreds of photos and over 400 pages of historical facts and the maps and descriptions will defy time.

40 Years Ago - 1980

Former President Richard M. and Pat Nixon flew into Sullivan County International Airport last Friday and had dinner at the Eldred Preserve, owned by his friend, Robert Abplanalp.

Miss Cindy Kurpil presided over the 13th annual Upper Delaware Canoe Regatta, posing with winners of the various divisions of the race.

A daughter, Jody Lynn, was born July 30 at the Horton Memorial Hospital in Middletown to Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Zanetti of Grahamsville.

About 250 people came to the dedication service of the new Crescent Hill Synagogue at Lake Louise Marie Sunday. Rep. Matthew F. McHugh led a distinguished group of speakers who addressed the synagogue congregation.

Jill Bertsch, daughter of Joy and Earl Bertsch of Cochecton, and her horse, Snickerdoodle, qualified for the New York State Fair at the 4-H Sullivan County Horse Show.

30 Years Ago - 1990

Dr. Kunwar Nagpal, first vice president, and Maryann Butler, executive director of the Tri-State Chamber of Commerce, presented the organization's “Community Pride Award” to Craig Sandquist, producer at the Forest­burgh Playhouse's presentation of “Hello Dolly.” The Playhouse was cited for its contribution to the enrichment of the quality of life in the Tri-State area.

The 128th Wayne County Fair will run August 4-12. Featured will be Danny and the Juniors with Joe Terry, a 50s and 60s rock group; a truck pull, Hollywood stunt show, demolition derby, horse pull, tractor pull and many other interesting events. Harness racing will be held Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday with free admission in the grandstand. The 8th annual woodsmen's competition will be held on Saturday.

At the recent Catskill Mountain Doll Club Show at the Liberty Grange, Donald Lindsley of Liberty took a best of show with his Simon and Halbig German character baby antique bisque, representing his wife Margaret, who could not attend the show.

The third annual Twin Lobster Bake, sponsored by the Monticello Elks Lodge No. 1544, attracted more than 300 people to raise $3000 for cerebral palsy and other charitable causes.

At a meeting of the Upper Delaware Citizens Advisory Committee meeting held in Narrowsburg, opposition was ex­pressed to the DEC plan to end live bait fishing and require all Rainbow Trout to be thrown back.

20 Years Ago - 2000

Heavy rains saturated western Sullivan County on Saturday, washing out roads, endangering bridges and flooding basements. Area fire departments were soon busy trying to keep up with the ever-increasing volume of calls as the rains continued throughout the morning. As estimated 8 to 10 inches of rain was said to have fallen during the morning, before finally tapering off around 1 p.m. Not long after the initial calls for assistance were received, officials declared a state of emergency in the towns of Cochecton, Tusten and Delaware. As the scope of the unfolding disaster broadened, a county-level state of emergency was declared at noon, according to county fire coordinator Harold Kronenberg.

During the storm, according to Deputy Fire Coordinator Joe Mellan, Joanne Snow of the town of Tusten was struck by lightning while talking on her cordless phone and could not be reached by EMS personnel because of flooding conditions on Buddenhagen Road. Utilizing an inflatable rubber raft, Narrowsburg firefighters were able to reach the woman and deliver her to the waiting ambulance on dry ground. She was taken to Wayne Memorial Hospital in Honesdale, Pa. where she was treated and released.

On Saturday, at the start of what was billed as a political rally for the Green Party at Max Yasgur's old farm a few miles from the site of the original Woodstock festival, there was tons of mud. ...As the rains continued to fall ... most of the crowd of about 2,500 sought shelter in stranded vehicles or stayed put in their soggy tents.

10 Years Ago - 2010

The Town of Bethel will soon have a new business in the community as Catskill Distilling Company, better know as the Dancing Cat Distillery, gets its distilling equipment delivery in from Germany. The barn-style complex will offer the distillery, a merchandising room, a room for party rentals and the distillery will even host tasting parties once it gets up and running.

David Friberger, a student at Sullivan West High School, saw a need and decided to do something about it. Diapers are expensive and difficult for many struggling families to afford especially during tough economic times. As a community service, David collected hundreds of diapers and other diaper changing necessities, which he donated to United Way of Sullivan County to distribute to agencies that provide direct services to families with infants.

Erik Burton of Callicoon Center and graduate of Sullivan West High constructed a prayer garden at the Horton Brook Free Methodist Church as a very special Eagle Scout project. The building of the prayer garden took 123 hours to complete with all materials being purchased at Agway. His decision to build a prayer garden was made because, “I wanted there to be a peaceful place at the church for members to pray and have time to reflect on life, hardships, world cultures, etc, etc.”A dedication and presentation of the prayer garden took place with a special service conducted by Pastor Allen Wachter, board trustee Jimmy Cheek and Deacon of Joy Don Engle.