130 Years Ago - 1895

Following the marriage of Miss Annie Wagner to Fred Eckhard Jr. at the residence of Mr. and Mrs. Peter Wagner of Jeffersonville, a double christening took place. The little recipients of the rite were Charles Richard, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Wagner of Jeffersonville, and Louis Peter, son of Peter Wagner of East Branch.

120 Years Ago - 1905

The inclement weather interfered not in the least with the happy union of two happy young hearts at the home of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Neiger in Beechwoods, when their only daughter, Emma Marie, and John A. Hoos of Liberty were joined in wedlock.

John Wilfert and Miss Matilda Kohler were married at the home of the bride’s father, Melchior Kohler, in Beechwoods, last evening.

Carl Pauli, a resident of Brooklyn and for the past two years mathematician for the Bermania Fire Insurance Co., was in town Sunday getting acquainted, and has decided to come here and engage in surveying and civil engineering, opening an office in Beck’s store.

Valentine Scheidell who last  week bought the McDermott property for $2,800, has since sold it for $3,000 to Rudolph Gute of Middle Village, L.I., who secured it for a friend, J. Rapp, who will cut it up into building lots. Mr. Gute will move into the house for the winter while he builds a residence on the lot he bought of C.W. Wilbert. He may also deal in monuments.

Jeffersonville merchants are trying to inaugurate an early closing of their stores and keep open in the evening.

Mrs. Mary Kemp who for several years has been housekeeper for George Hill at White Sulphur Springs, has bought the farm of Otto Ruth between Youngsville and Livingston Manor. Mr. Ruth recently left this country, after sharing up the proceeds of the sale with his wife.

The new road over the hill through the lands of William LeRoy and Eugene Sheridan is completed and in fine shape. The grade is easy and the distance to Youngsville hereby made a mile shorter.

110 Years Ago - 1915

William Dorr of Brooklyn has bought the farm of his aunt, Mrs. Katherine H. Dorr, on Sixteen. Will formerly lived in this town but has been away from here a number of years.

Fred Faubel, carpenter of this place has been at Pine Bush, Orange County, the last three weeks, building a house there for Henry  Erff, a former Jeffersonville boy.

Frank Foley, clerk at the Eagle Hotel, was in New York last week to take the examination for the position of city fireman. He has since received notice of his passing.

Miss Matilda Buddenhagen, daughter of Mrs. Lizette and the late Ernest Buddenhagen, became the bride of Frank Hess, son of Mr. and Mrs. Philip Hess of the town of Fremont.

Miss Margaret M. Misner was united in marriage with Elmer C. Knack of Niagara Falls, formerly of Buck Brook, at the home of the bride’s mother.

Anthony Schaefer, who was born on the Schaefer homestead in Beechwoods 52 years ago, died in New York yesterday morning after having been ill of pneumonia only since Saturday.

Wall Street is a delirium of speculation and the prisons, the insane asylum and the morgues will soon be doing a rushing business.

100 Years Ago - 1925

The first snow of the season fell here Friday night, high winds followed, blowing down trees in different places. The electric, telephone and telegraph lines suffered most. The Western Union service was disrupted for thirty-six hours and the electric lights went off for about twenty-four hours.

Major Charles E. McDonald, formerly physician and surgeon  in Jeffersonville, now a surgeon with the First Cavalry, U.S.A., at Maria, Texas, has been recommended to the adjutant general in Washington by George Curry, International Boundary Commissioner, for decorations for meritorious service in combat action in the Philippine Islands.

Skunks are becoming almost as common in this village as stray cats. One of these fragrant fellows of the feline family was meandering around the yard at the rear of Murray’s Pharmacy Tuesday. The populace gathered for a view of the undesirable inhabitant and planned ways for its removal without scenting up the whole neighborhood. His skunk-ship died game, but very odorous.

A son was born October 13 to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Hess. They now have a boy and a girl.

The marriage of Miss Helen B. Hasneder of Livingston Manor to Walter J. Eggler of Liberty took place at the bride’s home on October 5th.

The Jeffersonville Athletic Club Inc., re-elected William Von Berg as director. William Lieb, who has been president of the organization for three years, declined re-election to that office. Fred W.  Schadt, the vice president, was elected instead. Otto Meyer was chosen vice president and Mrs. Von Berg was again elected secretary-treasurer

90 Years Ago - 1935

A daughter, Barbara Ann, was born at the Callicoon Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. August Lott of Jeffersonville.

A daughter, Shirley Ann, was born September 30th at the Callicoon Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Bauernfeind.

Edwin F. Kelley has sold his hardware business at Callicoon to Thomas Fair who bought the Galloway Store at Hankins several years ago and has sold out.

Selah Everett, aged 31 and single, was killed by a fractured skull and other injuries sustained last Thursday when the light beer delivery truck he was driving careened off the high dugway road one mile this side of Long Eddy and plunged down the embankment sixty feet to the Erie Railroad tracks.

George W. Seibert of Narrowsburg received the Democratic nomination for County Clerk while J. Bruce Lindsley of White Sulphur Springs will run on the Republican ticket.

Sunday afternoon at the Jeffersonville Rifle Club range at Koenig’s flat, the Tusten Rifle and Pistol Club defeated the Jeff team by two points. Jeff scores were: A. Segar, 186; O. Van Schoick, 181; O. Meyer, 179; A. Meyer, 176; Williams and R. Mann 174. Total 896.

80 Years Ago - 1945

The Lake Jeffersonville Hotel at the eastern end of the village, which has been vacant since Mr. and Mrs. Frank Larocco of Swan Lake closed it a couple years ago, was sold last week by the last owner, Gus Corey of Liberty, to Marius Bader of the Bronx, a city restaurant man, who will take possession about November 1.

At a large ceremony on Okinawa, Sgt. Cons Fotiades of the U.S. Marine Corps was presented the air medal and star for completing 75 missions as a radio gunner on a torpedo bomber. Cons is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Essah Fotiades of Jersey City, formerly of Jeff.

A son was born to Mr. and Mrs. John Brockner of Jeffersonville on Sunday, September 30, at their home in the Huebner house in Delaware.

This week of October 21 will see the culmination of one hundred years of spiritual administration on the part of the Presbyterian Church of Jeffersonville, to the people of the community and surrounding area. With a well planned program, the centennial committee hopes to bring about a worthwhile ending to the century of unselfish service.

Louis Linder of Baldwin, L.I., who bought the Kirchefer property just this side of Fosterdale of Martin Bodnar three years ago, has sold it to Joseph Knopp of New York.

Youngsville — Preston Abplanalp, who closed out his grocery store and meat market a couple years ago when he took over the Post Office, last week sold both his store and residence property to Mr. and Mrs. Herbert Harder of Chicago, who will move here and reopen the grocery store and meat market about November 1.

Miss Harriet Hahn, daughter of Mrs. Mary Hahn and the late Harry Hahn of Callicoon Center, and Ralph Coulson of Bridgeport, Conn., were married Saturday, September 29th, at St. Bethany’s Church in Bridgeport.

70 Years Ago - 1955

A six pound smallmouth bass was caught in Yankee Lake Sunday, by Marty Levin of New York, who has a summer home on the lake. One day last week Clayton Smith caught one in Masten Lake which was only six ounces lighter.

Fred Hermann of Callicoon, Donald Hughes of Jeffersonville, Clifford Hughes of North Branch, Valentine Hessinger, Ed and Clarence Korth, John and James Amback, Robert and Elmer Knack and Francis Erlwein spent the weekend on Long Island doing some deep sea fishing.

The restaurant and bar at White Sulphur Springs operated by Francis A. Hanofee since 1947 has been sold to Thomas Devaney of Liberty, subject to the approval of transfer of the license by the ABC Board. Mr. Hanofee, Democratic town leader and former supervisor, will enter other private business, it is understood, but the nature of it was not disclosed.

60 Years Ago - 1965

The new Grover M. Hermann building for the social sciences and management research was dedicated today at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in Cambridge, Mass. Mr. Hermann, honorary chairman of the Martin Marietta Corp., made a gift of $1,500,000 toward construction of the building.

Three percent room tax can be added to the New York State Sales Tax, and be collected by the state. Hortonville Real Estate Broker Kurt Shilbury told the county Board of Supervisors Monday night who in turn referred Shilbury’s statement on  the room tax to the financial committee.

The weather this past week has been fall-like. Some bright, clear days and frosty nights remind us that the colorful season is at hand.

On Monday Troop 91 of Youngs-ville Boy Scouts of America, named two troop members as Eagle Scouts in an appropriate ceremony. The Eagle Scouts are John Boxberger and Martin Eger.

Two area men have completed the sixteen week basic training course at the NYS Police Academy in Albany. They are Roger Hughs of Long Eddy and Bruce C. Rogers of Roscoe.

Mrs. John Theadore and children, Karen and Robert, of Buck Brook spent last Friday at the World’s Fair and reported a terrible crowd.

50 Years Ago - 1975

Monday an electric storm got Joyner’s Store in White Sulphur Springs all shook up as a bolt hit the swimming pool and jumped to the house and store. A clock and a plate were knocked from the wall in the house and a lamp was smashed. After melting the fuse box and cutting off power, the bolt ripped two telephones from the booths in front of the store, hurling them twenty feet down the road.

The Liberty Theater on Main Street, Liberty, is being gutted in the process of creating three theaters. Scheduled will be first runs, reruns and classics. The Liberty triple theater will be a first for Sullivan County.

Mr. and Mrs. Arnold Houghtaling of Long Eddy were given a surprise 25th anniversary party on Sunday, September 28. Approximately 75 friends and relatives attended.

The former Callicoon Pharmacy, gutted by fire, has been acquired by Bill Haramis of Callicoon and given a new facelift. The building contains four three-room apartments and will be a decided Main Street improvement when finished.

Mr. and Mrs. Howard F. Jacobs of Youngsville have announced the engagement of their daughter, Debra, to Sherwood R. McGibbon, son of the late Barbara McGibbon and Raymond McGibbon of Youngsville.

Prof. Joel J. Lerner, chairman of the Business Division of  Sullivan County Community College, has been appointed assistant chairman for the Cooperative Marketing and Distribution programs at the annual national convention of the Eastern Business Teachers Association to be held in Washington, D.C., on Sunday, October 12.

40 Years Ago - 1985

Norma Niemann and Stephen Lagoda were married in a double-ring ceremony on Saturday at the Community Reformed Church in Youngsville. Rev. Stuart Suydam performed the ceremony. She is employed at the Jeffersonville bank and he is a guard at a correctional institute. 

Renee Leroy and Joseph Franks Jr. of Jeff were married in a double-ring ceremony at St. George’s Church in Jeff. A reception followed at the Villa Roma.

Eleanor Knack of North Branch was one of twelve who received the 1985 Good Samaritan Award at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City at a Mass for Older Adults on Sunday.

Members of the Delaware Valley Central School Class of 1945 gathered at the Little Texas Ranch in Obernburg in observance of their 40th class reunion.

Jack Danchak took in four bass at the 1st Bassmasters fishing tournament on Rondout Creek, for a total weight of 14 lb. 12 ounces.

Miss Sullivan County Dairy Princess Dina Hillriegel and Miss Sullivan County Teenager Marie Egusquiza were among those present at the Italian-American Civic Association parade in Liberty last Sunday.

Deaths noted in this issue of the Sullivan County Democrat: Bill Keesler, Town of Cochecton Councilman, a dairy farmer and ardent sportsman, died unexpectedly  Sunday in Community General Hospital in Harris. He was 63. Herman Stabbert of Obernburg, a dairy farmer and lifelong area resident, died Friday, October 11, at the Grover Hermann Hospital in Callicoon, after a short illness.

Ice breakers at the Roebling Bridge in Barryville are part of the restoration project taking place. The bridge, built in 1848, was a forerunner to the Brooklyn Bridge and was built to carry coal from the mountains of Pennsylvania to New York City.

Dick Herbert of Jeffersonville was guest of honor at a surprise 50th birthday party at the VFW hall in Liberty where more than 70 guests wished him well.

A celebration and memorial services will be conducted at the Fremont Center Methodist Church on October 19 and 20 in observance of the 125th anniversary of the church. A slide show of Fremont, past and present, will be presented by Steve Strauss.

The third presentation in observance of the 35th anniversary of the Sullivan County Dramatic Workshop will feature “Angel’s Fall,” written by Lanford Wilson, on October 17-19.

30 Years Ago - 1995

Frances Spicka, a resident at the Jeffersonville Home for Adults, celebrated her 100th birthday on October 9. Among her prized cards was a greeting from President Bill and Hillary Clinton.

More than 300 Sullivan County residents traveled to New York City to attend a Mass celebrated by Pope John Paul in Central Park.

A $68,000 sweeper has been added to the Monticello Public Works Department. The village hasn’t had a sweeper for the past 18 years and it will be put to use immediately to clear the streets of leaves and other debris.

Dr. Kunwar Nagpal of Port Jervis and Eldred was elevated to Diplomate status within The International Congress of Oral Implantologists in August. Dr. Nagpal is also known for the exotic animals he obtains for the annual Yulan Von Steuben Parade.

The Rock Valley Methodist/ Presbyterian Church, which celebrated its 102 birthday last month, has been undergoing some restoration work under the capable direction of  Joe DiPane and Zeke Boyle. Bobbie Oliver and Frank Kitchens of Brooklyn bought the building which had fallen into disrepair and decided to refurbish the interior as a  studio and residence. On October 1, they received an award from the Upper Delaware Heritage Alliance for their efforts at preserving local buildings.

20 Years Ago - 2005

A few minutes after noon on Thursday, the calls went out to emergency personnel on both sides of the Delaware River that several sections of a 120-car New York, Susquehanna and Western Railway freight train had derailed at at least three locations before the engineer apparently realized something was amiss and stopped the engines, reportedly about two miles from the first derailment. At least nine cars and related debris were scattered along the railbed near Shohola, PA, just across the river from Barryville. The derailment is still under investigation.

Inez George Gridley of Grahamsville, the Town of Neversink Historian for 16 years, died at the age of 97. The daughter of the late Andrew and Juliana Hanford George, she was born February 25, 1908, at Red Hill, Ulster County. She was the widow of Vernon H. Gridley Sr., who died after more than 50 years of marriage.

The descendants of George and Annie Thone Daub gathered September 4 for their 39th reunion at Lake Huntington.

Robert Calone and Janesa Martinez were married May 14, 2005 in New Windsor. The bride is the daughter of Thomas and Carmen Rue of Monticello. The groom is the son of Leonard and Maryann Calone of Central Valley.

Maggie Elizabeth Nagle was recently baptized in St. Mary’s R.C. Church in Waymart, PA. The maternal grandparents are Tom and Mary Bennis of Long Eddy and the paternal grandmother is Mrs. Joann Hiller of Carbondale, PA.

The Equinunk Historical Society will soon remodel a room at the Calder House Museum for a historical schoolroom display thanks to a $1,370 grant from the Wayne County Community Foundation. Robert Kramer of the Foundation presented the check to Carol MacMaster who is president of the society.

10 Years Ago - 2015

Hours before she was to be honored for Lifetime Achievement at the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance’s (DVAA’s) 40th Anniversary Gala on Saturday, nationally renowned author and Narrowsburg resident Vera B. Williams peacefully passed away with family at her side. Williams, 88, had lived a long and incredibly varied life. She became best-known, however, for her writings and illustrations in children’s literature – most especially “A Chair for My Mother” (1982).For that effort, Williams won the nation’s highest award for children’s books – the Caldecott Medal – and the NY Public Library named it one of the best 100 books of the 20th century.

In honor of the 125th anniversary of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Beaverkill Chapter held a service to commemorate and recognize Revolutionary War Patriots from Sullivan County Sunday, October 11, 2015 at the Beaverkill Community Church in Beaverkill, just north of Roscoe. The ceremony concluded with the placing of a wreath on the grave of Private David Jocelin.