130 Years Ago - 1896

Thomas Pendell, recently publisher of the Sullivan County Democrat in Callicoon, has purchased an interest in the Fishkill Standard.

The Livingston Manor post office has been made an international money order office for Germany and Denmark. Jeffersonville is the only other office of the kind in the county.

The farm house of Will Anderson, about a mile and a half east of Briscoe, was burned to the ground at about 10 o’clock Tuesday morning. The house was insured through the agency of Kilbourne & Son for $300, but the contents were not insured.

Edward Knise, aged 23 years, of North Branch was struck by the engine on Train No. 9 at Cochran’s crossing in Roscoe on Wednesday of last week.

Mrs. Margaret Baum, a widow lady aged 79, was found unconscious in her home in Beechwoods, burned considerable about the body. She died the same night. How the affair happened is not known. She lived alone and her farm was worked on shares.

Hymeneal – Miss Ida, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. George Yager of Hankins, and Jacob Kessler of New York were married at the bride’s home.

Louis Mall of Jeffersonville and Mrs. Andrew Simon of Philadelphia attended the wedding of August Treyz and Miss Muriel Robinson near Roscoe on New Year’s Day.

Kenoza Lake – The thermometer registered 14 degrees below zero this morning…Andrew Kohler traded his colt for an old horse one day last week with John Ludwig of Jeffersonville.

Youngsville – During that windy night last week, the roof of Jacob Rogler’s barn was blown down.

Last Saturday Miss Lindie Walker, the school ma’am in the Peck District, took a cold and involuntary bath while skating on Hopkins’ Pond. Fortunately, no serious results followed.

Emily Halladay of the Town of Delaware has been appointed temporary guardian of Ida E. and Elsie M. Halladay, her minor children. Sureties, Otto Berner and Jacob Dietz.

120 Years Ago - 1906

Frank J. Brand has moved his livery business from the Sherwood stable in Liberty to the Lennon House stables near the station.

The Milanville Bridge Co. on January 1st elected the following officers: President M.L. Hocker; Secretary Charles E. Beach; Directors F.W. Tegeler, T.J. Fromer, George Schoonover and W.J. Bennedum.

The young son of Wesley Edwards died recently of typhoid fever at his home at Hazel, near Livingston Manor. The Ensign says there are five other cases of typhoid at Hazel.

Edward C. Starck, youngest son of Charles F. Starck of Callicoon Depot, was united in marriage December 21 with Miss Lillian Estte of Passaic, N.J.

Guss P. Gorr, clerk at the Western Hotel in Callicoon Depot, and Miss Nancy Lakin of North Branch, were married December 31 at the bride’s home by Rev. Russell. About forty guests were present as was also the Delaware Band of Callicoon Depot.

During the past week Harry Berger of the Halfway House has had a number of Hebrew friends from the city around here looking up boarding house properties with a view to buy. One of the gentlemen bought the boarding house and 125 acres of Peter Mathern on the hill a couple miles north of the village of Jeffersonville for $6,000 which includes the furniture, farm, stock and implements. This is the Borden place and is a fine location for a summer boarding house.

The new Board of Supervisors of Sullivan County met at Monticello yesterday and organized for the year. Some of the towns represented in the new Board are as follows: Bethel - Thaddeus Hurd, Dem.; Callicoon - Valentine Scheidell, Dem.; Cochecton - P.L. Hart­mann, Dem.; Delaware - S.E. Wensel, Dem.; Liberty - E.W. Grant, Dem. There are eight Democrats and seven Republicans on the Board.

110 Years Ago - 1916

The new officers of Callicoon Lodge of Freemasons were installed at Masonic Hall Saturday night by District Deputy Grand Master Nial C. Currey of Liberty. The new officers installed are as follows: Master Charles O. Wilkin, Senior Warden Fred W. Schadt, Junior Warden Luther Potts, Treasurer Conrad Metzger, Secretary A.M. Kohler, Senior Deacon William C. Fuhrer, Junior Deacon Jos. H. Meyer, Master of Ceremonies V.P. Scheidell and Harry Baumgart; Stewards, R.U. Kohler and Fred Dedling, Chaplain Christian Sander, Marshal William Knell, Organist Otto W. Meyer, and Tiler E.F. Manny.

Ice gathering has begun in the village. Henry G. Miller has bought the ice privileges of Bollenbach’s mill pond and furnishes ice to others. A number of our people are hauling their ice from private ponds nearby.

Clarence A. Royce of Jeffersonville has been awarded another tree scholarship at the William School of Expression in Ithaca. He will graduate in June. Fred Joergle, a Jeffersonville boy who is studying the violin at the Ithaca Conservatory of Music, has just won another scholarship at that institution, making it the second one he has earned.

The 37th annual meeting of the Callicoon Agricultural Mutual Fire Relief Association was held at North Branch on Saturday, January 8. Officers elected were Edw. C. Neiger, president; Wm. J. Gebhardt, secretary; L.J. Wagner, treasurer.

George F. Wagner, the commission merchant at 189 Duane St., New York City, and a former Callicoon boy, has bought a new eight-cylinder Cole car and invites his friends around to have a ride.

A daughter was born January 6 to Mr. and Mrs. Anthony Ellmauer of Youngsville.

100 Years Ago - 1926

Protection Hose Co. held their annual election at the firehouse Monday night and re-elected Jimmy Holmes fire chief, although he wanted to retire. The officers chosen are: President Frank R. Doughty; Vice-President William Knell and Fred J. Weiss; Foreman James M. Holmes; Assistant Foreman Herbert W. Grishaber and John C. Wagner; Treasurer Fred W. Schadt; Secretary William Von Berg. The fifth annual benefit supper and dance will be held at the Grange Hall on Wednesday, January 27th.

Luther Potts, the rural carrier out of Jeffersonville, went to Narrowsburg last Saturday to drive home the snowmobile he purchased to negotiate the snowdrifts on his mail route. On the way home he stopped at W.F. Heinle’s store in Cochecton Center for gasoline, and as he stepped out of the cab of his snowmobile he fell down, overcome by gas from the exhaust of the engine. He is recovering.

John Bosley, who is sojourning in Scranton, has had to have all his teeth extracted on account of their condition causing rheumatism and stomach trouble. After John gets his store teeth, he may go to Florida again to see what’s doing along the beaches.

Elizabeth Hedwig Schaefer, wife of Philip P. Justin, died at her home in Seacliff, L.I., Tuesday morning, January 5, aged 66 years. She was born in Beechwoods, a daughter of John Philip Schaefer and Elizabeth Hasenpflue.

William R. Keesler, aged 82, a lifelong resident of Lake Huntington, passed away at his home there on Thursday, December 31.

William H. Nearing, aged 83, a highly respected and lifelong resident of Cochecton Center, died of heart trouble at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Henry Guerth, January 2nd.

Weddings – Miss Frieda Schmidt of North Branch and Joseph Blaha of Brooklyn, at Jeffersonville, January 2nd… Miss Freda Gorr of Callicoon and Vernon W. Tegeler of Damascus, Pa., at Honesdale, January 8th…Miss Eleanor Hess of Corning and Charles Zieres of North Branch at Roscoe, January 5th.

90 Years Ago - 1936

Due to icy conditions, attendance at the 58th annual meeting of the Callicoon Agricultural Mutual Fire Relief Association of Sullivan County at North Branch was small. Secretary Edwin Weber’s report showed over eight million in insurance in force, with losses during the year only $28,715. Edwin Homer of Youngsville was re-elected president; Edwin Weber, secretary; Fred Miller, treasurer; and Fred Hust of Kenoza Lake was elected to the newly created post of vice-president.

At its organization meeting, the County Board of Supervisors elected Clarence F. Baudendistel of Fremont as chairman and James H. Brady of Monticello as clerk. Among the new members of the board were Fred Hessinger of Callicoon and Lawrence R. Milk of Delaware.

John F. Obermeyer of Bethel, Walter Schwartz of Lumberland and W.A. Chandler of Neversink were appointed as a committee on a county airport with the supervisors appropriating $350 for the cost of a survey.

The New York State Unemployment Insurance Law went into effect on Jan. 1.

Carl Stecker, a director, was appointed manager of the Sullivan County Cooperative Association to take the place of William VonBerg, who resigned.

August Lott was appointed chairman of the arrangement committee for the annual firemen’s supper and dance at the Lake Jefferson Hotel on January 25th.

Sinners stand in slippery places while saints, it appear, take a flop. Mrs. Fred Siebert and Mrs. Clara Grishaber are among those who during the past week sprouted wings, but not large enough to float them, so they landed rather firmly on the ice with various parts of their anatomy and are now laid up and suffering from severe bruises and sore muscles.

Joseph Beiling, carpenter and builder, has taken the contract to move the old Catholic parsonage building from the lot on South Main Street to the former J.H. Wagner property on West End Avenue for Veterinarian Arch Freer, who bought the Wagner place and the parsonage which later will be moved on rollers intact.

The engagement of their daughter, Dorothy Catharyn, to Ralph Wormuth of Rome, was announced by Mr. and Mrs. Edward F. Kohler of Jeffersonville.

80 Years Ago - 1946

Helen A., wife of Edwin A. Brand, died in Miami on January 9th, following a cerebral hemorrhage the day before. She was born in Jeffersonville on December 4, 1879, the daughter of Frank Neuberger and Georgina Hust, and married on September 16, 1896, to Mr. Brand.

A daughter was born in January to Mr. and Mrs. Emerson Bossley (Emma Norris) of Jeffersonville.

Mrs. Erwin L. Baker and daughter, Ann, went to New York last Saturday to meet her husband who was discharged from the Navy after serving in the Pacific and later at Tokyo. He took leave of the principalship in Jeffersonville to enlist about three years ago.

Malcolm W. Dexter of Tusten was elected Chairman of the new Board of Supervisors, to succeed Karl Reinshagen of Bethel. The vote was nine to five for Mortimer Michaels, Democrat of Fallsburg.

Miss Cecilia E. Revoir, daughter of Henry S. and Elizabeth Meagele Revoir of Jeffersonville, was married to Joseph J. Schroeder in Middletown, January 8th.

Miss Ruth Meisner of Swan Lake and Ernest Koberlein of Narrowsburg were married on December 31st.

Milton Lindsley of White Sulphur Springs has about completed the setting up of his new barber shop in the former Ranft building and expects to open up next Monday as the Central Barber Shop.

John E. Mages and his bride (Anne Reilly) were serenaded by his fellow firemen and friends on Friday night at their home on Maple Avenue. The party was taken to Smiling Jim’s Tavern, where the wedding was celebrated with refreshments and dancing.

70 Years Ago - 1956

At a meeting of Lincoln Chapter No. 463, O.E.S., Mrs. Emma Smith was installed as matron and George Winkelstern as patron.

Mrs. Anna Wilson was taken to Loomis Hospital by ambulance due to intense pain and it was learned she had two broken vertebrae, suffered in a fall at home earlier in the week. She will be in a body cast at least six months.

Andrew Beiling beat the icy road conditions by coming to town with a bob sleigh and his team of horses.

William Knief has sold the bottling works he recently bought to the former owner, Lester Gute.

The Methodist Ladies Aide elected the following officers: Mrs. Joseph Bauernfeind, president; Mrs. Henry Townsend, vice-president; Mrs. Maynard Holt, secretary; Mrs. Oscar Will, treasurer.

The steps in front of the Reformed Church at Youngsville have been replaced with attractive stone steps with metal side railings. New doors have been installed and a new bulletin board erected on the lawn.

The engagement of Beverly Ann Baker, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Baker of Hagaman, and Robert E. Knack, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Knack of Jeffersonville, was announced by her parents.

Elliott Weiss was installed master of Callicoon Lodge #521, F.&A.M.

Mrs. John Durr, who has served as treasurer of the Ladies Auxiliary of the Youngsville Fire Department since it was founded 25 years ago, was honored upon her retirement from that post. She was presented with a corsage of roses and a locket with her initials on the front and inscribed on the back, “Treas. 1930-1955, Y.F.D.A.”

Dr. Isidor Yasgur was among the 500 veterinarians who attended the three day annual Mid-Winter Conference for Veterinarians at Cornell University.

60 Years Ago - 1966

Have you ever heard of an accommodating burglar? Apparently one or more of this species called at the Callicoon Agway Store during the weekend for the face plates from the safe were removed and when the burglars found they could not gain entry to the safe, they carefully replaced the face plates.

Henry Reimer of Hortonville has been sworn in as Postmaster at Hortonville. His predecessor, Mrs. Maude Miller, served in the post for 23 years.

Rev. and Mrs. William Wood of Long Eddy were honored on Wednesday, December 29, with an open house at the Long Eddy Methodist Church on the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary. Rev. and Mrs. Wood were also celebrating their birthdays.

The weather this past week has continued on the mild side. Our open winter continues. A little snow and some rain on Sunday produced some ice and the sand trucks were on the road doing their job.

Fishing through the ice and rabbit hunting, both cottontail and snowshoe, are being enjoyed by outdoorsmen these days.

A six pound five ounce girl, born at Liberty Maimonides Hospital at 1:33 a.m. Monday, was the first baby born in the six Sullivan County Hospitals in the new year. Little Kim Louise Nash, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Nash of Neversink, beat out a granddaughter of Fallsburg High Superintendent Charles Cauthers by a few hours.

What does the new public defender, Robert Rosen, do on defense of a man who is charged with burglarizing his office? The County Board of Supervisors answered that question Tuesday afternoon when it adopted a resolution setting compensation for attorneys assigned by the court.

50 Years Ago - 1976

John Shaddock, 27, of Hurleyville, became the fifteenth automobile accident fatality in Sullivan County, and the final one in an accident on Tuesday morning, December 30. The accident took place on Route 52, opposite Brown’s Hotel in Loch Sheldrake.

Mr. and Mrs. Robert Fix of Liberty have announced the engagement of their daughter, Deborah, to H. Kurt Wohltjen, son of Mrs. Albert Hadden Jr. and the late Harold J. Wohltjen. A June 19 wedding is planned.

The Past Masters Association of the Sullivan District, F.&A.M., held their bi-annual meeting at Mongaup Lodge in Liberty December 29. R.W. George Youmans, District Deputy Grand Master, and R.W. Jack Schadt of Callicoon Lodge performed the Investiture Service. Masters-elect who will be installed in their respective lodges in the district are: W. George Snyder, Delaware Lodge #561, Callicoon; W. Burton Ledina, Fallsburg Lodge #1122; Donald TerBush, Mongaup Lodge #816, Liberty; W. John Craig, Monticello Lodge #532; Frank Brown, Livingston Manor Lodge #791; and Arthur Hellerer, Callicoon Lodge #521, Jeffersonville.

Two old established businesses in the western end of Sullivan County changed hands with the new year. The long established business of William Kohler & Sons, Inc., of Kohlertown was acquired by Henry Kubenik. The owner, Percy Kohler, is retiring. Kohler’s, one of the largest companies of its sort in Sullivan County, was started in 1907 by William Kohler, who partly bankrolled his venture into the lumber business with money earned in constructing the Schmidt general merchandise store in North Branch. Ironically, Schmidt’s is the second business to be turned over to new owners. Marcel and June Carrier took possession from Howard Schmidt. In 1886, Martin Schmidt purchased the store and farm of G. Barkmeyer and set himself up as a merchant. Nine years later his two sons, Julius and Charles, joined him as partners. In 1911 they incorporated under the name of J.M. Schmidt and Sons. A new store building was erected in 1906 with the original building moved to the back and incorporated in the structure. The partnership was dissolved in 1947 when Julius’ son, Charles, took over the business. In 1950 Charles formed a new partnership with his son, Howard, who in  turn, became the sole owner in 1970.

David Gross of Liberty High School has received word that he was chosen as one of the five state winners of the “Miracle of America – 1776” composition, chosen at the PTA conference held at Grossinger’s, and will be advanced to the National PTA conference. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Gross of Liberty.

40 Years Ago - 1986

Chet Smith of Rock Hill, the manager of the Trading Post there, brought New York City tradition to his friends and neighbors by lowering a decorated beer ball, hung on a flag pole in his yard, just as midnight approached on December 31.

The New York State Court of Appeals has confirmed the 1983 murder conviction of Joel Ferkins who was convicted of the April 1982 murder of Michelle Wilkinson of Wurtsboro. His sentence of up to 41 years to life is included in the number of sentences handed down in the Sullivan County Court.

Michael Davidoff has been selected by the Board of Supervisors to be the next county attorney. He replaces William Rosen who has been county attorney for ten years. In other action, James Gorman of the Town of Neversink was selected chairman of the board and Leon Siegel of the Town of Rockland was named vice-chairman.

Charles E. “Chuck” Meyers, Mamakating highway superintendent, has resigned after 16 years in that position.

Edward Sostak of White Sulphur Springs has been appointed the new director of the Town of Liberty’s Parks and Recreation department, to succeed Timothy P. Kelly. Mr. Kelly will be a computer programmer for the town. 

Daniel Niven, son of Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Niven of Monticello, started work and studies this week at the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute on Barro Colorado Island, Panama. He will be the research assistant of Dr. Nicholas Brokaw, staff biologist of Manomet Bird Observatory who is continuing a long-term study of the gap-phase regeneration in a tropical forest.

Bea and Pete (Melvin) Meachum of Liberty were feted on the occasion of the 40th wedding anniversary with a party held in the indoor pavilion at Hanofee Park. They were married September 23, 1945, in Holy Name Church in Brooklyn.

30 Years Ago - 1996

While Sullivan was spared the full brunt of the Northeast’s “Blizzard of ‘96,” officials declared a county-wide state of emergency Monday. The call was made at 7 a.m. Monday by Emergency Services Coordinator Harold Kronenberg in consultation with Undersheriff Daniel Hogue, Legislature Chairman Rusty Pomeroy, Acting County Manager Harvey Smith and Sullivan County Commissioner of Public Works Peter Lilholt.

The Hebrew Day School of Sullivan and Ulster counties formally dedicated its new library and media room Friday.

In an effort to solicit residents’ opinions on issues to be addressed in the Sullivan County Master Plan, the Sullivan County Planning Board, in cooperation with the county Division of Economic Development, Promotion and Planning, is mailing a Citizen’s Survey this week to 10,000 randomly selected county residents.

Time Warner Inc. has closed an agreement to merge with Cablevision Industries (CVI) and its related companies, adding approximately 1.3 million subscribers to give the company a total of 11.5 million subscribers, it was announced by Time Warner chairman and CEO Gerald M. Levin.

Karen Fisher of Kenoza Lake and Elise Mears of Loch Sheldrake announce the opening of their new marketing communications firm, FisherMears Associates.

When Judge Anthony F. Kane returned to work after the holidays on January 2, he donned his familiar robe, occupied his familiar office in the Sullivan County Courthouse but found himself invested with some unfamiliar duties. The Forestburgh resident was marking his first day as a New York State Supreme Court Justice for the Third Judicial District, having won election to the 14-year, $113,000 post in November.

The owner of a baseball stadium in Mountaindale is looking for a new team to play on it. Entrepreneur Billy Resnick said Tuesday he’s looking for a new baseball franchise to use the park he built for the Mountain Lions now that the Lions and their owner, Jay Acton, have left the area.

Though it lacks running water, telephone service or much furniture, the Town of Fremont is setting up public offices in a ramshackle house across from the current Administration Building here. The town acquired the 3 1/2 acre property, which includes the small white house and a couple of sheds, as part of a court settlement about seven years ago after two shallow wells on the site were found to be contaminated by a leaking town gas tank. A deep, clean well has since been dug. (Editor’s Note: The property the town acquired is the longtime home of Frederick and Eunice Bury, parents of Frank S. Bury who owned and operated the General Store in Fremont Center and once served as town clerk.)

Kyle J. Muthig, 17, of Parksville became an Eagle Scout Saturday, the tenth member of Troop 97 to achieve scouting’s highest honor.

 Sean Welsh, Jeff-Youngsville’s leading scorer, added 25 points on Tuesday night in a 65-51 loss to Narrowsburg in Western Sullivan League play.

20 Years Ago - 2006

A one-car accident claimed the life of a well-known contractor Sunday evening. According to State Police, Keith Hamlin, owner of Hamlin Construction outside Liberty, was driving his truck north on Route 55 around 7 p.m. when he lost control, and apparently left the roadway. Hamlin, 55, died as a result of his injuries.

Duggan Elementary students in White Lake recently hosted Matthew Hoffmann,  of Equinunk, Pa. who entertained the students with a vibraphone performance. Hoffmann, 18, is studying jazz vibraphone at SUNY Purchase. He has been seriously pursuing his musical interests since the age of 13.

John A. and Debra F. Miller of Livingston Manor have announced the engagement of their daughter, Jessica Fay, to Jonathan Mall of Jeffersonville. He is the son of Lee and Danette Mall of Jeffersonville. A September 2006 wedding is planned.

10 Years Ago - 2016

Despite a cold and misty drizzle, volunteers gathered at the Narrowsburg School athletic  field early Saturday morning to begin laying the liner for the filling of the new ice skating rink being installed by the Narrowsburg Union. Three fire departments (Narrowsburg, Lava, and Lake Huntington) were present with five trucks available. Everyone applauded as the first bit of water began flowing into the rink. The last load of water was emptied around 11:30 a.m., a whopping total of  39,000 gallons to fill the rink a bit more than four inches all around. 

For the second year in a row, a Roscoe boy won the 12-13 division of the District Hoop Shoot by sinking an impressive 22 of 25 shots. Collin Garafolo rallied from a two-shot deficit after the first 10 shots Saturday to hit on 14 of his final 15 and edge Luke Gadsen of Port Jervis by one, 22-21. The competition was held at the Liberty High School gym and hosted by the Liberty Elks Lodge.