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Down the Decades

December 21, 2021 Edition

Compiled by Lee Hermann, Muse, & Ruth Huggler
Posted 12/21/21

110 Years Ago - 1911

In a short history of Callicoon, published in the December 12, 1911 issue of the Sullivan County Democrat, the main business establishments listed are: Starck’s Bazaar …

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Down the Decades

December 21, 2021 Edition

Posted

110 Years Ago - 1911

In a short history of Callicoon, published in the December 12, 1911 issue of the Sullivan County Democrat, the main business establishments listed are: Starck’s Bazaar with Charles F. Starck as the oldest merchant in point of service, having been in business continually in this town for forty-five years. In the great fire of 1888 his store was destroyed but he immediately erected his present store on the old site. One year later, after building an addition to the store, he installed a bowling alley in the basement. John Dycker has been identified with the grocery trade in this town for a quarter of a century or more. The B.E. Dycker Co. is the oldest grocery and general store in town and is one of the firms which weathered the great fire of ‘88. L.C. Vandervort is the name of the modern dry goods establishment. Mr. Vandervort came here five years ago and purchased the business of Bryant & Tucker. In speaking of prosperous and enterprising business houses of Callicoon, the well-known firm of Kautz Brothers has been established a number of years. John Kautz established the business seventeen years ago, and ten years ago Charles Kautz became a partner. They handle more coal than any other firm between Port Jervis and Deposit on the Erie Railroad. The Callicoon National Bank was organized May 18, 1909. C.A. Thorwelle is president; Fred Hessinger, vice president; Valentine Scheidell, Wm. J. Gebhardt, James Hall, Herman Inderlied, Edward Kenney, Chas. P. Kautz, Elias Mitchell, John Dering, John Dycker, all directors. W.L. Dodge is the efficient cashier. Scarcely six years old, the Western Sullivan Telephone Co. must be listed as one of the successful businesses. The company has over 350 subscribers and over 300 miles of wire. The territory includes Jeffersonville, Cochecton, Lake Huntington, Fosterdale, Hankins, Callicoon Center, Bethel, Youngsville, Fremont Center, Mileses, and all intermediate towns, all for the moderate rate of $15 per year for businesses and $12 per year for private residence phones. Last of the businesses listed are: C.H. Young, cash grocer; Kemp’s Drug Store; Fred H. Starck, grocer; W.I. Rubinovitch, clothier; Mrs. Otto Bergner, furniture; Callicoon Bottling Works with Andrew Brandt and Henry Gales, proprietors; J.M. Schmidt & Sons Co., one of the best known general stores in Western Sullivan with over $50,000 worth of stock. Also listed are Mrs. Traynor’s Millinery which has been established in Callicoon a good many years and another millinery shop, operated by Mrs. Charles Newman. R.A. Schrumpf found his flour, feed and coal business in Callicoon Center so successful that he branched out with a store in Callicoon, taking over the coal pockets of J.M. Schmidt & Sons. And finally listed is Martin Hermann, lumber, founded in 1888. He erected a sawmill in 1893 and has added an up-to-date planing mill, also a sash and door factory and now has the most complete establishment of this kind in the county. Also listed are smaller businesses of Mrs. E. Doetsch, hardware; Joseph Meinike, meat market; A. Graebner, 4 and 10 Cent Store; Harry Hill, livery; Engert and Sawyer, livery; Jacob Knight, harness shop; Leonardo Checchia, shoemaker. Also it should be noted that Martin Hermann is an automobile dealer.

100 Years Ago - 1921

These records are missing from our files.

90 Years Ago - 1931

While working in the woods Saturday afternoon, George Germer had the misfortune to be hit by a falling tree, resulting in a fracture of the skull. Dr. Pobe of the Deerpark Sanitarium, Port Jervis, performed an operation and at present the patient is doing nicely and believed to be on the way of recovery.— East Cochecton Corresp.
Elnora Crowley of Long Eddy and William Brinning of Roscoe were married December 5th in Roscoe.
Miss L.B. Barnes of Stalker, PA., county president of the Sullivan County W.C.T.U. attended the regional conference held at the Mayflower Hotel in Washington, D.C.
The wildcat which has been making its depredations in the vicinity of Callicoon Center for the past few months is still at large according to reports that reach us. Wm. Veyhl Jr., of Callicoon Center, almost had a shot at the animal. A valuable farm dog owned by Wm. Schaffer near North Branch, was found torn to pieces, at the end of his chain in the back yard.
John Kenney, 67, of Long Eddy died December 9 at Neurological Institute in New York City. He was in the blue stone business and was one of the leading quarry operators in this part of the state.

80 Years Ago - 1941

The first defense meeting in the Town of Delaware was held in the Callicoon school auditorium on Tuesday evening. A crowd of 250 persons attended and judging from the spirit exhibited at the gathering, the local township will be among the first to be completely organized. Everyone who attended is ready and willing to bear a part of the local defense burden.
Mrs. Amelia Robisch, 88, the widow of the late James Robisch, died at her home last Friday, December 12, after a long illness. She was the daughter of the late John Leonard and Christine Armbrust of Kenoza Lake.
Sigmund Brizel, 52, owner of the Fallsburg Mansion, South Fallsburg, probably the largest rooming house in Sullivan County, died Monday night from injuries suffered several hours earlier when he fell from the fourth story scaffold.
A memorial service for Clarence Hoyt of Liberty, who lost his life in the American-Japanese War was held Sunday afternoon. He had arrived in Hawaii May 9 and was stationed at Hickam Field.
Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Reimer of North Branch are the parents of a ten-pound boy at the Callicoon Hospital on December 13.
In cooperation with the drive to conserve scrap metal, a collection place will be provided at Hermann Lumber Co. for 1941 or older license plates. When a sizeable collection is completed, it will be turned over to the proper authorities.
Attending the Music Festival in Wappinger Falls were Fran­ces Sedletsky, Jane Cohen, Joseph Mootz, Richard Anderson, Marcella Hick, Bernice Reum, Shirley Le Roy, Jeanne Brand, Ray Cahallan and Marilyn Weiss. They were chauffeured by Miss Lawrence and Mrs. Haggett… John Mages has gone to work in a factory in Bridgeport, Conn.… Louis Baum came home Friday night from camp for a ten-day furlough at the home of his brother, William. — Jeff Corresp.

70 Years Ago - 1951

All teachers in the Delaware Valley School System have been notified by the Board of Education and Principal Charles E. Lewis to open the day with prayer and the flag salute in accordance with the recommendation made recently by the Board of Regents of the State of New York.
Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Burns of Long Eddy are the parents of a 10 1/2 lb. girl, born Sunday at the Callicoon Hospital.
Mrs. Edna Houghtaling of Callicoon has announced the engagement of her daughter, Esther Ann, to August Muth of Mileses.
John O. Rickert, 17, a senior and honor student at Honesdale Catholic High School, was fatally injured December 6 when he stumbled and the rifle that he was carrying accidentally discharged into his side.
A surprise stork shower was tendered Mrs. Harvey Olsen Tuesday evening at the home of Miss Ethel Doetsch in Hortonville.
A daughter was born last week at the Liberty Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Loughrey of Swiss Hill. The newcomer has been named Ann.

60 Years Ago - 1961

A well-attended meeting of the Tusten-Sullivan Barracks of Veterans of World War I was held at the Narrowsburg Community House club rooms December 6 with 17 veterans of the 1917-1918 World War conflict present. Arthur Bolton of Eldred is the county commander. The organization was begun on Memorial Day 1961, and this was the first meeting. Only World War I veterans are eligible for membership.
Henry Zehner, supervisor for the Town of Tusten, died on Thursday of last week.
A new coop on the Hy Frank farm located on the North Branch-Jeffersonville Road, has been completed. Measuring 630 feet long by 42 feet wide, it will contain three offices, an egg processing plant and storage space for 110 tons of feed. The farm now has a total of 100,800 layers. Eight people are employed in the egg room and nine people on the farm. In addition, about 100 are employed in the offices and in the installation and erection of poultry cages and automated systems for poultry houses.
Miss Madalyn Tyler of Cochecton was given a surprise bridal shower at the Presbyterian Church Hall in Lake Huntington.
It was a daughter, Wednesday, to Mr. and Mrs. Raymond LaBarr of Lookout, PA.; a son, Friday, to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Hess of Hortonville; and a daughter, Friday, to Mr. and Mrs. Richard Adam of Callicoon, all at the Callicoon Hospital.
John K. Lyons and Alfred L. Wells Jr., both of Monticello, were given Eagle Scout awards at the Navasink District Court of Honor on Tuesday evening of last week.
A son, William Andrew, was born December 5, at the Hamilton Avenue Hospital to Mr. and Mrs. Harry Bedford of Fosterdale.
Dennis Caro of Monticello Central School was awarded first place in the American Legion Oratorical Contest held at the Eldred School. Second place went to Paula Walton of St. Joseph’s Mountain School and third place was awarded to Barbara Moir of Eldred. Other contestants were Mary Dwosh of Liberty, John Deagle of Livingston Manor, Robert Whittaker of Fallsburg and Lois Yasgur of Jeffersonville. About 170 people attended.

50 years ago - 1971

The former Barselee Hotel in White Sulphur Springs, long a community eyesore, was deliberately burned down by volunteer firemen on Sunday morning in a spectacular but thoroughly controlled blaze.
Roland Smith and crews from CBS broadcasting spent Saturday, December 11, at Winkelstern’s Tree Farm, filming the activities of tree selecting and cutting.
Richard Johnson, who turned 17 on Saturday, received one of the best birthday presents of his entire life when he was given a ride on the “front end” of the way-freight of the Erie-Lackawanna east to Port Jervis and west to Callicoon on a fast freight. All this came about when Richard played the part of a hero in helping two women and their five children from a station wagon that had become stuck between the rails just seconds before a westbound freight reached the crossing and demolished the helpless auto on November 6. Richard is a railroad buff and fulfilled a lifelong dream with the ride as “engineer.”
Mrs. Florence Antosh and Mrs. Bertha Olsen were hostesses at a baby shower given in honor of Mrs. Sarah Ray on December 8 at the Antosh home in Jeffersonville.
Mr. and Mrs. Robert Vakiener of Endicott are the proud parents of a son, Keith Robert, born December 4. Daddy is formerly of Youngsville and mommy is the former Carol Widmann of Callicoon.
At the Liberty Loomis Hospital, it was a girl, Amy Sue, to Mr. and Mrs. Andrew DuBois of Lew Beach; a daughter, December 4, to Mr. and Mrs. Frank McGreevy of Livingston Manor; a son, December 5, to Mr. and Mrs. Michael Evans of White Sulphur Springs; a girl, December 7, to Mr. and Mrs. Lester Younts of Fallsburg, and on the same day, a boy to Mr. and Mrs. Herbert McGibbon of Swan Lake.
Congratulations to Mr. and Mrs. William Beach of Revonah Hill, who became the parents of a baby girl on Friday, Dec. 17 at the Liberty-Loomis Hospital. Little Miss Samantha Lynn weighed in at seven pounds 13 ounces. (Looks like you had your baby shower just in time!) The Beaches also have another daughter, Sandi, four years old. The maternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Melvin Meachum of Liberty and the paternal grandparents are Mr. and Mrs. Harold Beach of Revonah Hill.

40 Years Ago - 1981

According to an official of the Delaware River Basin Commission in Trenton, NJ, as of Friday, December 11, the water level in the Cannonsville, Pepacton and Neversink Reservoirs is at 137 billion gallons, or 50.7 percent of capacity. Normal for the date is 183 billion gallons. However, at the same time last year, combined capacity of the three reservoirs was 91 billion gallons, or just over 33 percent of capacity.
Gladys Reese, Corinne Briggs and Lillian Ernst, members of the Monticello Volunteer Ambulance Corps, were awarded plaques for their volunteer service Saturday night at the corps’ annual Christmas party. They have answered 1,000, 1,500 and 2,500 calls respectively.
The Monticello Class IV Gymnastic Team traveled to Utica on November 7 and 21 and the following girls qualified for state gymnastic Class IV championships to be held later this year; Jessica Dooley, Carrie Hersh, Rachel Small, Karen Halpern, Tricia LeBlanc, Jennifer Raponi, Lisa Hersh, Elizabeth Baum, Amy Richterm, Elsie Hudson and Nikki Harding.
Monticello Manor Adult Home on Landfield Hill, Monticello, is now accepting resident applications from individuals and couples according to facility administrator Charles Benson.
The Monticello Kiwanis Club, a branch of the international organization which was started on January 21, 1915, in Michigan, will celebrate its 35th anniversary at their December 21 Ladies Night Christmas-Hanukkah Party. Among its other accomplishments, the Ben Golden and Mac Kinsbrummer Golf Tournament proceeds have made it possible to increase the two yearly scholarships awarded to local students at $1,500. Two members, Jacob Aks and Dr. William A. Crawford, have perfect attendance records of 26 years and 25 years respectively.
Evelyn B., daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roger Swendsen of Tyler Hill, PA., became the bride of James, son of Mr. and Mrs. Eugene Weissman of Callicoon Center, on October 31, at the Damascus United Methodist Church.

30 Years Ago - 1991

Back in the late 1930s the Monticello Fire Department conducted a food drive with the help of William “Bill” Eberhard, Irving Schwartz, Hobert Bates and Howard Denton. Today, the only surviving member of the team is Mr. Schwartz of Monticello living in retirement.
Beulah Fortman of Tyler Hill, PA., was recently presented with a plaque in recognition of her 40 years service with Landscape Materials Information Service, located in Callicoon. Since its inception in 1952 with 35 members, the clearing house for landscape materials now has over 250 members encompassing the entire Northeastern United States.
A large crowd attended the ecumenical carol sing at the Lake Huntington Presbyterian Church on December 8. Choirs from the Presbyterian churches in Bethel, Jeffersonville, Hortonville and Lake Huntington and the First Lutheran Church in Jeffersonville took part. The program will be aired on WVOS on Christmas Eve at 7 p.m.
Carolyn Mermon of Honesdale, PA., has been awarded a travel grant by the Rotary International. She will be one of six members of a group study exchange team who will go to Bombay, India, to encourage educational and cultural exchanges internationally.
After three years of delay, the proposed Sullivan County Renal Dialysis Center in Monticello is about to become a reality. Gary Krupp of Rockville Center, L.I., who is building the facility with partner, Gene Gormley of Phoenicia, confirmed Monday that ground will be broken for the 14-station center on Wednesday at the corner of Forestburgh Road and Lloyd’s Lane in Monticello. It is hoped that the building will be ready for spring occupancy.

20 Years Ago - 2001

Jill Ann Burrell and Sean Michael Parks were married October 5, 2001, at the White Sulphur Springs Methodist Church with Pastor Bridget LeConey officiating. The bride is the daughter of Joan Burrell of Lebanon, NJ, and John Burrell, formerly of South Orange, NJ. The groom is the son of Curtis and Linda Parks of White Sulphur Springs.
Rebecca Anne Newell and Douglas James Austin, both of Rochester, were married April 20, 2001, at St. Anne’s Church in Pittsford. The bride is the daughter of Dr. James and Patricia Newell of Black River. Rosetta and Lemuel Austin of Loch Sheldrake are parents of the groom.
The Eldred Recreation Center was dedicated to Kenneth Bjorn last Saturday afternoon. He was a teacher and a coach at Eldred Central School.

10 Years Ago - 2011

A man who built his reputation on generations of hard work, good will and generosity, Douglas Heinle died December 7th at his home surrounded by family following a battle with cancer. He was 82. With community roots going back more than 160 years, Doug was proud to carry on traditions which included being proprietor of Heinle’s General Store in Cochecton Center, Cochecton Center Postmaster and director of The First National Bank of Jeffersonville.
Even though the International Boxing Academy of Monticello (IBAM) has a new home, its mission remains the same. “We want to keep kids away from the gangs, drugs and alcohol,” IBAM Executive Director Orlando Hernandez said. Hernandez described IBAM’s mission during an open house recently. The open house gave IBAM members and community members alike a chance to see the academy’s new location in the Preacherman Plumbing & Heating building at 44 Pleasant Street.
Despite the financial difficulties over the last few years, Community Unity keeps on going, and it celebrated the work of one of its branches, the Federation for the Homeless in Mr. Willy’s restaurant in Monticello with a “Community Heroes” dinner on December 6. Supporters and well-wishers came to honor the award winners NYS Assemblywoman Aileen Gunther and The Federation for the Homeless Program Administrator Steve White and his wife Suz for their work. Mike and Adrianne Dollard of The Fitness Factory in Monticello and Zumba instructor Nicole Muscara were also given recognition awards for the outstanding fundraising they’ve done, bringing in thousands of dollars in donations for Community Unity.

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