140 Years Ago - 1880

Three mines at Leadville, Colo., have been purchased by Western capitalists for $5,000,000.

The President has nominated James Russell Lowell to be Ambassador to England.

A sneak thief entered the butcher shop of C.M. Brush of Callicoon on Tuesday night of last week and stole therefrom a quarter of beef.

Dr. Wm. Brand, an old resident of this town, who went to New York City some three years ago to practice his profession has concluded to return with his family next Saturday. He will occupy his house in Jeffersonville.

On Tuesday, the 13th inst., Capt. L.C. Snyder of Claryville, died after a gradual failing for several months. He ran the tannery at Claryville until recently when he was succeeded by his son and nephew.

Horace Utter and Co. of Rockland have sold to A. Cable 1,100 acres of land known as the Russell property, north of Rockland and about four miles distant from the Midland. The Messrs. Utter have taken all the hemlock bark off of this land within the past two years, leaving the vast quantity of lumber down. Mr. Cable intends cutting all the hardwood timber from this tract as fast as his sawmill is able to saw it up.

The diphtheria and scarlet fever are still prevailing to an alarming extent in the vicinity of Equinunk, Pa. Hardly a family has escaped and the disease seems to baffle the skill of the best physicians in many cases.

Hankins — Commissioner Taylor visited our school one day last week and expressed satisfaction concerning the way in which it was managed.

Callicoon Depot — Henry Eller of this town shipped during the months of October and November, 1879, to New York, not less than 3,706 bushels of potatoes and 1,060 barrels of apples.

North Branch — Samuel French has a part of his house completed so far as to be able to live in it. …John W. Peters has been trading horses and cattle for the past few weeks, and he now has on hand a very fine stock.

At the annual meeting of the Cochecton Bridge Company last Thursday, Charles Irvine was elected president and a dividend of 14 percent was declared.

Joshua R. Gerow of Liberty and Annie Kirk of Port Jervis were married January 21, 1880, at the latter place by Rev. A.P. Botsford.

Rockland — Ho. A.E. Wenzel has been in town and upon the railroad for several days, looking after the interest of his lumbering business … Cornelius Miller, East Branch, has secured a contract for 20,000 railroad ties.

Callicoon — Supervisor Frederick Hessinger is making extensive improvements on his farm, with a view of removing fence some time in the future. Henry Staib, architect, has prepared plans for a first class villa, and construction will commence next spring… Mr. John M. Heick is engaged in the purchase of cattle. Associated with him is Mr. William Krantz.

Youngsville — Warren P. Coventry has sold his farm of 110 acres, situated 2 miles north of Youngsville, to Jessie Benton, for $2,000… Mr. Unverzagt, our village butcher, will shortly leave this place to migrate to Richmond, Va., where he has several relatives residing.

130 Years Ago - 1890

Livingston Manor, Jan. 20 — Mrs. J.F. Sherwood and Mrs. W.E. Lewis are seriously ill, but hopes for their recovery are entertained… The sawmill of the Livingston Manor Mfg. Co. is owing to the operators who have “La Grippe”… Edward H. Sherwood of Fishkill is here working for his brother, Jack. He has the ability to walk on the tips of his fingers.

Mrs. Margaret Sander, wife of Daniel Sander, died on January 17, aged 75 years. She was born in Bavaria, Germany, and with her husband, crossed the Atlantic in 1848, locating immediately on a farm in the wilderness of “Sixteen,” town of Callicoon, and in 1872 moved to Youngsville, where they have since resided. She was a communicant of the Dutch Reform Church and is survived by her husband and five children, all married, who are Daniel Sander and Mrs. Jacob Yager of “Sixteen,” Mrs. W.H. Kays of Youngsville, Adam Sander of New York and Jacob Sander of Hoboken, NJ.

John G. Vanderbilt of Hurd settlement died last Wednesday at the age of 69.

Louis Faubel of Virginia and Fred Faubel of Scranton are here. Louis says “la grippe” prevails in the south as well as here, but not so alarmingly.

Scarlet fever is said to prevail to an alarming extent in Grahamsville and vicinity.

The new officers of the Harmony Lodge No. 35 were installed Friday night by Senior Past President Charles Homer.

There will be a donation party at the house of John Ludwig at Callicoon Thursday night, February 6. Proceeds for the benefit of Rev. Henry Unglaub.

J.B. Nichols of Liberty is converting the old church building into a boarding house.

The Roscoe creamery man recently churned six hours on a lot of Chenango County cream but failed to convert it into butter.

Our correspondent says that the acid factories at Livingston Manor have their old stock of wood consumed and now are running on half time.

Jeffersonville is to have a stone bridge at Lieb's blacksmith shop and Frank Neuburger is to be the builder. Mr. Neuberger had the low bid of $400. The bridge is to be stone arch, 20 feet between the abutments and 26 feet wide. It will be 2 feet higher than the old bridge.

120 Years Ago - 1900

Dr. Martin Tygert died at his residence in this village Thursday morning, January 18, from consumption of the lungs. He was born on a farm in Princeton, Schenectady County, November 10, 1857, a son of John Tygert. At 21, he graduated from Albany Medical College with high honors. He was then married to Mary, daughter of William H. Livingston, a farmer of Guilderland Center, Albany County, and started practice at Stuyvesant Falls in Columbia County. Later he was located in Passaic, NJ, and East Rutherford, NJ, where he practiced for 14 years. After the death of his first wife, 9 years ago, he married Miss Angelina Cadmus of Rutherford. In 1894 he suffered a serious pleurisy attack that developed into pulmonary tuberculosis of the most virulent type, and on Thanksgiving Day, 1895, he removed to Jeffersonville.

Fred Menges, who lived on the Bardenstein farm between Youngsville and Callicoon, died Tuesday night. He was the youngest child of Peter Menges of Youngsville and was about 35 years old. He died as a result of blood poisoning that set in after a serious accident while logging.

James Harvey Nearing, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Nearing of Fosterdale, died at his home there on January 21, from a longstanding ailment of heart disease.

Mrs. Sophia Litzenbauer of near this village is reported in poor health. She is 85 years old and blind.

Christian Kautz and wife of Beechwoods returned Saturday from an extended visit to New York.

John Ebert Jr., who operated the Kenoza Lake grist mill, and Miss Minnie Conrad of New York were married at the Mansion House, Kenoza Lake, on January 18.

Raymond Bennett and Miss Carrie Weise, both of Roscoe, were married at the home of the bride on January 16.

110 Years Ago - 1910

A daughter was born Sunday morning to Dr. and Mrs. Charles Kehrley of Jeffersonville.

Miss Carrie Huff, who is teaching at the Fallsburg school, spent Sunday at her home here.

The Jeffersonville Gas Co. is contemplating changing the gas system from gasoline to acetylene.

Dr. Archibald's smoke house caught fire on Friday and the meat in it was damaged badly before it could be recovered.

A party composed of J.G. Staib and wife, Peter Mathern and wife, Dr. Wilkin and wife, Wm. Lieb and wife, and Fred Kurtz, enjoyed a sleigh ride to Kenoza Lake in the beautiful moonlight Thursday night and after bowling a few games at the Fern Alley, partook of a splendid lunch prepared by Mr. Schoaf. The return home included a joy ride around town, through the courtesy of Chauffeur Mathern.

Kohler and Dietrich have the new house of Phil Schmidt on West Avenue up and enclosed.

The ice went out of the Delaware River Friday night without doing any damage.

Youngsville — Edward Homer of the Sterling has purchased about an acre of land across the street from his boarding house, which he will grade and plant trees in the spring to act as a park for his summer guests… Thomas Smith has sold his sawmill machinery.

Callicoon Center - The stockholders of the creamery voted unanimously with one dissenting not to sell to Ross Baldwin.

Chas. Kautz is serving on the jury at Monticello this week.

James Waddell, an old resident of Hurd, died at his home there last week, aged in the 80s.

Wm. Birmingham of Liberty, a law graduate and formerly in the office of Judge Smith of Monticello, has opened an office of his own in Liberty.

Harley Shaver of Roscoe, now principal of the Cooks Falls school, has passed the civil service examination and expects to take a position in the Liberty post office in the spring.

The telephone exchange in Callicoon is to be removed from Starck's store to the Kautz building and the Misses Leila Lasser and Ruth Brown will be the operators, with an all day Sunday service. The company is issuing a directory for the convenience of patrons and other improvements are contemplated.

Edward C. Neiger, president of the Callicoon Mutual Fire Relief Association, is at Syracuse this week attending a meeting of the central organization.

The Ladies Aid of Lake Huntington is progressing and now has a membership of 31. The next meeting is at George Henry's on February 3.

Joe Layman is preparing to enlarge his new barn in the spring.

100 Years Ago - 1920

John Hermann, postmaster and farmer at Buck Brook, was stricken down in death at his home a few minutes after his return from Callicoon Monday afternoon, in apparent good health. He was 61 years of age. He was unloading a load of grain he had brought from Callicoon when his wife found him on the floor, because of a sudden heart attack. He was born at North Branch on the farm now occupied by Martin Sommer in 1858, a son of Frederick and Dorothea Hermann, who came from Hessen-Darmstadt, Germany. In 1864 the family moved to a farm at Buck Brook. In 1883 he was married to Miss Elisabeth Huff of Buck Brook. For the past 9 years, Mr. Hermann has been the Buck Brook postmaster.

Alpheus Townsend, son of former supervisor John Townsend of Bethel, has been discharged from the Navy on account of ill health, and has returned home. He enlisted in the Marines in September 1918, at the age of 18.

Ed Brand went to Binghamton Saturday to see his daughter, Hazel, in the cast of “Maytime” at the Armory Theatre there. She has been with the company since last November and will play in New York State towns during the winter.

A son was born on January 20 to Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Long of Beechwoods. Mrs. Long was formerly Miss Hattie Schaefer, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Fred Schaefer.

A son was born January 15 to Mr. and Mrs. Max Roth, who are staying at the home of Mr. Roth's brother, A. Roth, on Maple Ave.

Wm. Abplanalp of Youngsville, census taker for the first election district in the town of Callicoon, gathered up the data in this village this week, and expects to complete the work in the district this month.

Alan F. Lieb was home from Middletown for the weekend and was snowbound here for an extra day.

H.A. Meyer and Sons have filled the Bietz icehouse for their summer supply.

Influenza colds seem to be epidemic hereabout.

A service in memory of Oscar Hessinger, a Callicoon Center young man who lost his life in the World War, will be held in the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Flushing on Sunday evening, January 25. Oscar, who was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Val Hessinger of this town, entered the Army from Flushing where he was employed. In one of the big drives in France, he was one of the corporal's squad who were cut off from their comrades and was killed by an exploding shell. Only one of the squad was left to tell the tale, and he was badly wounded.

We have had extreme winter weather here for the past couple of weeks, with snow and wind almost every day, and the mercury dropping considerably below the zero mark. The coldest day here was Tuesday, when the mercury registered from 20 to 30 degrees below zero. This morning it was 25 below.

90 Years Ago - 1930

A Deputy U.S. Marshal, under orders from Federal Judge Knox, went to Lake Huntington on Tuesday and padlocked the dance hall, ground floor and basement of the Nutshell Hotel and casino, conducted by Joseph Shaffer, and the dance floor, ground floor and soft drink room of the Broadway Casino, conducted by Nathan Levine. The padlock orders are effective for one year, starting last December 27.

An auto with one light is an every night nuisance.

Rev. L. William Hone of Roscoe has been elected master of Twin Village Grange, the new officers of which were installed by the county deputy, William Whittaker of South Fallsburg, on January 15.

Well, we had a taste of real winter the past week, starting with four or five inches of snow Friday night and Saturday, followed by a temperature of 10 to 15 degrees below zero, and then rising temperature with more flurries of snow.

Things begin to look prosperous at the Greenfield farm, formerly the Wagner farm on the North Branch road. Twin calves, male and female, were born there Thursday night.

Miss Marion Scheidell of Attorney Deckelman's office spent the weekend in Middletown.

Mrs. Abbie Spielmann of Youngsville is spending a few days here with her sister, Mrs. Carrie Royce, and other relatives.

The Callicoon Town Board organized last Saturday afternoon with Supervisor Fred W. Schadt, Chairman, and Mrs. Katherine E. Sohl, Town Clerk, as secretary. The other members of the board are Justices John H. Glassel of this place, John Seibel of Youngsville, Richard S. Schrumpf of Callicoon Center and Albert Menges of Shandelee. Dr. E.H. Parizot was appointed health officer, Frank Kearns of Youngsville as dog enumerator, Philip Eisenberg of Jeffersonville as constable and David Meyer of Youngsville as town welfare officer.

80 Years Ago - 1940

When Louis P. Faubel closed his cigar store at the old stand recently, he closed one of the earliest businesses started in the village of Jeffersonville. It was in 1862 that his father, the late Louis Faubel put up a building and engaged in cigar making and selling cigars, tobaccos and candies. When Thoefel sold his hotel, he added liquors, beers and wines and this saloon was continued by the father and then the son until the fall of 1912 when the saloon was established and the tobacco store continued, until recently when it was moved across the street. The only other business in the village that has remained longer is the Mansion House, which was started here by the elder Faubel.

Rose, wife of Henry Kratz of Jeffersonville, died at the Liberty Hospital this afternoon, after suffering a stroke. She was born in 1868 on Sixteen near Callicoon Center, a daughter of Henry and Mary Reinheimer. Forty-four years ago bought the Billy Wood farm near White Sulphur Springs. They later sold the place to the Lesser Lodge people and built a home on a part of the farm.

Miss Catherine F. Smith, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Smith of Shandelee and Livingston Manor, was married to Edward J. Baker of Long Island City on January 14 at St. Joseph's College, Callicoon, by Fr. Algonse Gillogy, pastor of St. Francis Church of Youngsville. Mrs. Baker has been secretary to Principal Joseph Willis of the Livingston Manor Central School. Mr. Baker is employed by a bank in the city.

Phillip Baumgardt, aged 58, died at New Haven January 20. He was born on the homestead on the Briscoe Road east of Jeffersonville, May 17, 1991, a son of Louis Baumgardt, native of Germany, and Magdalena Huff of Jeffersonville.

70 Years Ago - 1950

The Laurels Country Club at Sackett Lake was the scene on January 21 of the wedding of Gwendolyn J. Abel, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Abel of Lake Huntington, to Dr. Leon S. Goldberg of Buffalo. The bride is a graduate of Jeffersonville Central School, Class of 1942, Ohio-University, 1946, and the University of Buffalo, 1949. The groom is a dentist and was a captain in the U.S. Army until 1948. The bride is a niece of Mr. and Mrs. Abel of Jeffersonville.

The dedication of the auditorium gymnasium of the Youngsville Central School Friday night drew a record attendance.

With a large attendance, the Jeffersonville PTA elected officers last Thursday evening. They are: President Mrs. George Winkelstern, Vice Presidents Mrs. Frederick Schadt and Mrs. Theodore Kutschera, Secretary Mrs. Ruth Keeler, Treasurer Mrs. Simon Sattinger and Historian Charles S. Hick. To date the PTA has over 120 members.

Mr. and Mrs. Ray Quinlass (Ruth Keeler) of Youngsville announce the birth of a son, Michael, at the Liberty Hospital on January 24.

Libby Manzolillo won his first Golden Gloves open class 126 lbs. fight last night at the Ridgewood Grove Arena. He will fight again on January 31st in Harlem.

Officers elected by the Methodist Ladies Aid of Jeffersonville are: President Mrs. Roy Hess, Vice President Mrs. Henry Townsend, Secretary Mrs. Maynard Holt and Treasurer Mrs. Oscar Will.

Thirty members of the Kenoza Lake Ladies Aid were entertained at the home of Mrs. Paul Bihler last Thursday. Mrs. Pierson Schwartz assisted in serving refreshments.

60 Years Ago - 1960

Mary Fries of Youngsville died last Sunday at Liberty-Loomis Hospital. She was 88.

Woodlot owners are urged to cut those trees now that they plan to use for firewood next fall and winter.

Friends of John Mullally of White Sulphur Springs were sorry to hear of his accident in the shaft last week, when he suffered severe injuries from a load of steel that fell on him. He was operated on this week and is reported to be doing well.

Regensburg, Germany — Army PFC Gary L. Bury, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Norman Bury, Callicoon Center, is scheduled to participate with other personnel from the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment in Exercise Winter Shield at the Grafenwehr-Hohenfels training area in southern Germany February 1-7.

Carl E. Siebecker, 69, a native of Youngsvillle, died January 16th in Westside Hospital in Binghamton after a long illness.

With great simplicity and minus fanfare, the 8 classroom PTA Wing of the Livingston Manor Central School was formally dedicated at ceremonies Tuesday night at the school auditorium. About 500 people attended.

The Sullivan County Volunteer Firemen's Association will hold its next meeting in the firehouse at Callicoon on February 9, 1960, as guests of the Long Eddy Fire Department.

The Monticello Chamber of Commerce has announced that the sports car clubs representing four states will place entries in the First Annual Auto Ice Race scheduled for Sackett Lake.

50 years ago - 1970

Four hundred S&H Green Stamps were given with every new subscription to the Sullivan County Record, Jeffersonville. In-county subscriptions were $3.50; $4.00 out-of-county for one year.

Michael Davidoff, son of Sullivan County Personnel Director and Mrs. H. Leo Davidoff of Monticello was named third assistant district attorney Monday by DA Louis B. Scheinman.

The fish were biting in Bethel last weekend in that township's 7th annual fishing competition as out-of-towners carried off first place trophies in two out of three classes. Largest of the contest was the 21-inch pickerel hauled in by Peter J. Erskine of Haskell, NJ; in rainbow trout class, Roland Weiss of Kauneonga Lake took top honors with a 19 1/2” beauty; Horton Couch of Thompson Ridge took away the first and second place honors in the perch division with 12 3/4” and 11 1/2” entries.

The Sullivan County Historical Society met at the Liberty Central School on January 12 to hear the semi-final report of the Committee on Church History. During the evening meeting a resolution was presented by Bob Dice, past president of the Society, to place a marker at the site of the Aquarian Festival held in Bethel in August of last year.

Mrs. Elizabeth Fahrenz, president of the Women's Community Club of Cochecton, presented a check of $350 to Morris Katzoff, president of the recently organized Town of Cochecton Volunteer Ambulance Corps, Inc.

40 Years Ago - 1980

An anxious hour and a half of worried waiting ended happily for Mrs. Eileen Calkins when her 3-year-old daughter, Elyssa, and 3-year-old Jeremy, son of Robert and Linda Guinan of Callicoon, were discovered safe and sound after being lost in the woods near the Calkins home in the Beechwoods section of the Beechwoods.

The Catskill Art Society of Hurleyville will hold a seminar on framing and presentation of art with Peter Loewer of Cochecton Center as guest speaker. He is a professional illustrator of botanical and technical publications as well as editor of the Sullivan County Democrat.

George S. Currie, general line foreman, has achieved 30 years of service with the New York State Electric & Gas Corp. He is currently president of the Liberty District Quarter Century Club and resides in Youngsville with his family.

Miss Elizabeth Anne Mabey, daughter of David and Ellen Mabey of Woodridge, became the bride of Bruce Riley of Las Cruces, N.Mex., on January 3. The candlelight ceremony was performed at the Rock Hill Methodist Church… Miss Janis Ann Stefl, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Stefl of Monticello, became the bride of David W. Gardner of Middletown on January 12, 1980.

Henry Rauch of Woodbourne caught a 5 1/2 lb. pickerel in Cochecton.

Diane Puzzo was crowned 1980 Livingston Manor Winter Dance Queen. She succeeds Rita Devoe.

30 Years Ago - 1990

Toppled first by wreckers and bulldozers, the old and massive chapel of the former St. Joseph's convent in Forestburgh was leveled in a controlled burn that did away with the building while at the same time rekindled memories for town residents. Abandoned almost a decade ago, its stained glass windows removed and sold, the building had been neglected and had reportedly become a target for vandalism as well.

The Liberty Volunteer Ambulance Corps celebrated its 21st installation dinner and dance on January 20. The corps received a plaque from the family of Chuck Leggitt, who drowned in the fall of 1989, in appreciation for the part they had played in his life.

Elaine Zayak, a professional ice figure skater, will be guest of honor at the Livingston Manor Rotary Ice Carnival on January 28. She will give an exhibition of her skating skills.

Brian and Lori Edwards of Liberty announce the birth of a son, Charles Patrick, on December 25… A son, Brandon Eugene, was born January 22, 1990, to David and Cindy Peters of Hortonville. He has two sisters, Alicia, 6, and Kayla, 4, at home.… A girl, Chelsie Nicole, was born December 21, to Charles and Susan Schadt of Youngsville.

Myles Malman, son of Louis Malman and nephew of Ruth and Bernard Ruderman of Woodridge, is the assisting prosecutor on the criminal proceedings against General Noriega. He attended Fallsburg High School.

Dr. Dan Umanoff plans to build a Renal Dialysis Center in Ferndale. Spearheaded by the leadership of Sondra Bauernfeind, both Dr. Umanoff and Mrs. Bauernfeind addressed the Sullivan County Health Advisory Council Monday night. Mrs. Bauernfeind noted that patients of the center would have a support network already in place when the unit opened, offering everything from counselling to transportation. The treasury of the foundation, she said, now holds about $20,000.

At a meeting of the Sullivan County Board of Supervisors, Harvey Smith, director of the county's Office of General Services, told those attending that they need to decide soon whether they want to build a new jail or renovate the old one so that courthouse renovations can continue. The two buildings must be considered together, he stressed.

20 Years Ago - 2000

A respected member of the Liberty business community, Donald Loughrey died unexpectedly on Saturday, January 29, 2000 at the Monroe Regional Center in Ocala, Fla. He was 57 years of age. Loughrey and his wife, Rhea, owned Liberty Lumber Co. on Mill St., a full service lumber yard which the Loughreys purchased in 1971. The son of Frances Eggler Loughrey and the late Edward Loughrey, he was born April 24, 1942 in Callicoon.

Non-Sullivan County residents who use the Sullivan County landfill to dispose of their garbage are charged $40 a ton. Sullivan County residents are charged $55 per ton but must separate the recyclables from their garbage before they dispose of it.

Boy Scout Troop 187 of Grahamsville made and delivered 48 holiday baskets filled with fruit, honey and cookies to shut-ins and senior citizens in the Grahamsville area. Cookies were made by troop sisters in the Grahamsville Girl Scout Troop and their mothers. Honey was donated by local beekeepers Ruth and Ken Duncan of Jeffersonville and fruit was donated by the Monticello Farm Home & Garden in Monticello.

Peggy and Richard Vogler of North Branch announce the engagement of their daughter, Melissa, to Robert Snyder, son of Sonja Snyder of Stamford and the late Robert Snyder.

A girl, Hailey Eileen, was born January 15, 2000, to Donna and Al Stagl of North Branch… A boy, Matthew, was born January 19, 2000, to Hilary and Garry Corts of Wurtsboro… A girl, Erin Nicole, was born January 20, 2000, to Kathlene G. and Michael A. Denman of Grahamsville.

10 Years Ago - 2010

Daniel Stabek, a 1999 Liberty High School graduate, was awarded the Bronze Star with “V” Device for his valorous acts as a Platoon Sergeant for the 569th Engineer Company. Stabek, who enlisted in the military in 2002, has been stationed in Afghanistan since February of 2009. Sgt. Stabak performed in exemplary manner during a 12-hour fire fight on August 24. This is the second time Stabek has been recognized for his exemplary performance; he also received a medal with valor in 2003.

Monticello native Todd Cellini was promoted to President of South University in Savannah, GA after his predecessor abruptly resigned. It's possible that, at age 30, Cellini might be the youngest college president in the country.

Sullivan County Community College's showpiece experimental vertical windmill is nearing completion but the same cannot be said for the other SCCC windmill project: a traditional propeller-like wind turbine slated for the Loch Sheldrake campus. The erection of the 246-foot tall windmill is on hold until SCCC settles its suit against Alantic Energy Solutions (AES), the Saratoga Springs based firm tasked with overseeing the windmill's purchase and construction. The college is seeking $2.4 million from AES - $1.5 million of which it says are public monies sent to AES to purchase the windmill, which never happened.