This Day in Bovina for August 2025

Here's the compilation of the postings from August 2025 on the Town of Bovina Historian Facebook page:

106 years ago today, the August 1, 1919 Catskill Mountain News reported that "there is being planned the Bovina annual Community Picnic for the last Thursday of August. This fact has been announced in the churches." The paper went on to report that "Efforts will be made to secure a good speaker, and there may be a band to furnish music. There will be a formal program of speech in the morning, then a picnic dinner, then a number of athletic events to shake down the dinner, also a ball game." The event did take place as planned and was a success.  

Ninety-five years ago today, August 2, 1930, this article appeared in the Binghamton Press.  Gilbert D. Miller was Bovina's last surviving Civil War veteran.  He would die a few months later on March 13, 1931.  

Two hundred years ago today, August 3, 1820, this receipt was issued for $2.25 for payment from the town supervisor to the poor master, David Thomson. 

This postcard view of the Bovina Center school is postmarked 1910. The postcard, as were many postcards before World War I, was printed in Germany. It is a black and white image with the color added by the printers. From everyone I can tell, this schoolhouse was never painted red. The postcard was sent to Ethel Harrington. Ethel later married Stanley Bussy. He died in 1955. Ethel married again in 1965 to Andrew Coulter, who died in 1980. Ethel died in 1984.  

Fifty-eight years ago today, on August 5, 1967, Fred Ganger died unexpectedly at his home in Delhi. A native of Germany, he had a farm for a number of years on Cape Horn Road before retiring to Delhi. This chauffeur license image of Fred Ganger was taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy around 1940. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

Sixty-one years ago today, August 6, 1964, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Delaware Republican Express, “Mr. and Mrs. Charles Rabeler and her mother, Mr. and Mrs. Henry Rabeler, and two daughters, Richard Jardine and sister Martha, and Tanya Lay took the bus from Delhi to the World’s Fair at New York….."  

116 years ago today, on August 7, 1909, the barn of William H. Maynard burned down. I believe this farm was about a mile off Cape Horn Road and was once the Warren Farm. The foundations of the farm still exist. Here's the news article about the dramatic fire from the August 12, 1909 Binghamton Press and Sun Bulletin: 

130 years ago today, August 8, 1895, there was a 'theft' at the home of Rev. Hayes. It was briefly reported in the Andes Recorder: "At the reception at Rev. Hayes' last Thursday evening someone borrowed two cakes."

This picture of Fletcher and Lois Davidson comes from the Davidson family and probably dates from the late 1960s, after Lois had a stroke. She lived a number of years after the stroke, dying in 1976. Lois and Fletcher were married in 1921 in Bovina. Lois would have seven children, four of whom made it to adulthood. 

198 years today, on August 10, 1827, George Laidlaw was born in Scotland, the son of David Laidlaw and Helen Knox Hart.  He came to America as a child and married Janet Hume in Delhi.  They would have five children.  George died at the age of 49 in 1877 and is buried in Bovina. He was the grandfather of long-time Bovina town clerk Margaret Hoy.

 

127 years ago today, on August 11, 1898, the Board of Railroad Commissioners of the State of New York held a public hearing on the application of the Delaware Railroad Company to lay a railroad from Delhi to Andes, with a spur to Bovina.  Here's the Public Notice as published in the August 6 Delaware Republican.  And there are a series of entries in the Bovina NY History blog, starting with March 5, 2011, about this most serious attempt to get a railroad into Bovina: https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2011/03/when-trains-almost-came-i-everything.html  

Seventy-eight years ago today, the Bovina column in the August 12, 1943 Delaware Republican reported that "Miss Kate Birdsall, who is in nurses' training at Vassar Hospital, Poughkeepsie, is home on vacation." She likely also was home for the wedding of her cousin, Catherine Banuat. The same column reported that Marjorie Russell gave a shower in honor of Catherine. Here's a picture of Catherine on her wedding day with her bridesmaids, including Marjorie on the right. Image courtesy of the Hilson family.  

This image of Archibald Phyfe came from an album of photos kept by James Ormiston. Archibald was James brother-in-law. He was born in Bovina in 1848, the son of John Phyfe and Matilda Loughran. He married Mary Ormiston in 1875. They had two daughters, Anna and Bertha. Mary died in 1885. Archibald continued to live in the family house in Bovina with his sister Sarah keeping house and helping to raise his children. More about Archibald Phyfe is on the Bovina NY History Blog at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2011/02/dangers-of-coal-gas.html  

Seventy-two years ago today, August 14, 1953, this photograph was taken of the "Beacon Lights" Sunday School class. The class met to hold a surprise party for Mrs. William J. Storie in honor of 25 years teaching the class. The class held a program on the theme 1928, including a history in photographs, popular songs and a fashion parade. Unfortunately, this is the best quality copy I have of the photo. If anyone has one that is better, I'd love to know. Front:  Elizabeth Mabon, Marion McPherson, Marian Spear, Vera Storie, Mary Burgin, Helen Hall; Second: Stella McPherson, Marjorie Walley, Ruth McGowan, Eleanor Archibald, Bea Thompson, Helen Burns, Dorothy Russell, Margaret McPherson, Marjorie Russell, Celia Coulter, Grace Roberts, Helen McDivitt; Third:  Helen Forrest, Mrs. Stanley McMaster, her guest from Canada, Leona LaFever, Gladys Lay, Laura LaFever, Helen Tyrrell, Gladys Doig, Doris Rabeler, Margaret Gordon, Rae Vandenbord

137 years ago today, on August 15, 1888, Mr. Frank Armstrong of Bovina was married to Mrs. Mary Brown of Colchester. It was his second marriage. His first was to Jeanette Burns, who died in 1885. His second wife died in Bovina in 1911. Frank would get married for a third time, marrying Mary E. Niesh. He would be widowed a third time when that Mary died in 1924. Frank died in 1925. Mary Brown's history is interesting. She came into the marriage with a son, James Franklin Brown. His father is unknown. James married a Coulter and had several children, including Mary Brown, who married Edwin "Ted" Burgin. Here's a framed certificate commemorating Frank and Mary's marriage. 

Seventy-three years ago today, on August 16, 1952, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, "An amateur show for the benefit of the Bovina library was held … at the Community hall. It was directed by George Duphily. Twelve others took part. There were selections of music, songs and two movies. About 75 were in attendance for which a nice sum was realized. Much credit is due Mr. Duphily and others who helped to make it a success."

These images of Don Boggs were taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in 1937/38 and in 1940. Donald Coulter Boggs was born in 1907 in Bovina, the son of J. Russell Boggs and Margaret Ann Coulter. He married Winona Bowen in 1929. They spent their early years on a farm on Reinertsen Hill Road and later moved to Corinth, NY with their three children. He died there in 1986 (his wife died in 2006). McMurdy   1937-38_001, 1940_001 and two Bov Ctr Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.

132 years ago today, the following item appeared in the August 18, 1893 Andes Recorder - "Bovina is noted for its great butter - pure Jersey butter that is a strong competitor of Elgin [Illinois], and is growing in favor with the butter men every year.  A correspondent says: 'When we were young 100 pounds of butter per cow was a fair average; now from 300 to 400 pounds per cow does not satisfy the Bovina dairyman.  We expect, if they keep on grading their stock, by the time of the next centennial the Bovina cow will be giving butter instead of milk.'"

The Seventh Annual Coulter Family Reunion was held 100 years ago today on August 19, 1925 at three residences in Bovina Center, George Russell's (the Robson House), James Thomson's (the Pelletier house) and Harvey C. Burgin's (the Jason and Lisa Stanton house).

113 years ago today, August 20, 1908, the Bovina Cooperative Creamery Company issued this account for the estate of W.L. White. White had died in January 1907. This was known as the 'uptown' creamery. It closed in the 1920s/30s and was demolished in the 1960s. 1908-08-20 Bovina Coop Creamery acct

 

142 years ago today, the August 21, 1883 Stamford Mirror reported in its Bovina column that "Coulter Bros. have taken their portable sawmill to Shavertown to do a large job of sawing at that place."

123 years ago today, on August 22, 1902, the Bovina Fortnightly Club held an entertainment.

155 years ago today, the August 23, 1870 Bloomville Mirror carried this plea concerning the post office in Brushland: 

Ninety-nine years ago today on August 24, 1926, William Gavett of Delhi, was severely scalded by steam Tuesday while employed at the Bovina Center Co-operative Creamery. 

114 years ago, the August 25, 1911 Bovina column of the Andes Recorder included the following item: "Robert Graham, who went to Canada in the sixties, is visiting relatives in town. In his younger days he was a teacher and went to Canada to teach because wages were much better there. His last visit here was 25 years ago." Graham, born in Scotland in 1830, died in Canada in December 1925.

The descendants of David, William and Berry Miller held their annual reunion 101 years ago today (August 26, 1924). The reunion was held at Belle Miller's (now Amy Burns' and Tom Lamport's house across from Russell's Store). Later newspaper reports said that about 75 people were present but that "several families were not represented."

In 1946, Delhi photographer Bob Wyer took a series of aerial pictures around Bovina in a plane piloted by Eddie Davidson. This is an image of the Jim Boggs farm, which is on Boggs Road, not far off Bovina road and near the Maynard School. The farm belonged to Jim's father, Thomas Boggs. Jim had the farm until his passing in 1972. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

Ninety-seven years ago today, on August 28, 1928, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, Bovina resident "Miss Caroline Dickson arrived home…from her European trip. Her sister, Mrs. Curran accompanied her here." Caroline had left for Europe on July 6. She had arrived back in New York harbor two days before on the "Carona," which had left from LeHavre on August 18. This is the passenger list from the Carona, downloaded from Ancestry.com, showing her listing. 

117 years ago today, August 29, 1908, the Hobart Independent carried this report concerning the railroad coming to Bovina. This wasn't the first attempt, but it was almost the last. The interest that was so strong when the major attempt took place in 1898 had waned considerably as the automobile came into being. 

144 years ago today, the Bovina column in the August 30, 1881 Stamford Mirror reported that "Quite a number of our farmers have finished their oat harvests." The same paper also reported that "Rev. J.B. Lee has purchased a horse."

 

164 years ago today, on August 31, 1861, Alphonzo Lee died at the age of 54. As later reported in the Delaware Gazette, Lee was "respected and esteemed among those with whom he had business or social relations. Kind and indulgent as a husband and father, accommodating as a neighbor, and benevolent as a man and christian, his memory will long be held dear by those who have enjoyed his acquaintance and friendship." Lee was born in Connecticut in 1807 and came to Bovina likely in the 1820s.

A Week with Bovina People - August 1900 - 125 Years ago from the Andes Recorder

 

Life in Bovina 125 years ago, from the pages of the Andes Recorder:

August 3, 1900

• Richard Smith has gone to Walton.

• Alex Hilson was at Delhi Saturday.

• John Wright has been in town his week.

• John G. Russell was at Bloomville Friday.

• F.R. Coulter and wife visited Delhi on Friday.

• Dr. Dickson and wife went to Oneonta Friday.

• Rev. Williams returned Tuesday from his vacation. 

• Adam Douglas and wife passed thro’ this place Monday.

• Robert Biggar made trip was over to Andes Wednesday.

• Miss Etta Liddle, of Andes, has been a guest in town recently.

• Will Maynard and Elliott Thomson visited Downsville Friday.

• G.D. Miller is building a veranda along one end of his house.

• Leslie McNee has gone to Stamford to work in the Delaware house.

• Charles Spiers and Miss Ida Glendening were seen in this place Tuesday.

• Simon Marx and wife and some friends were here on Sabbath from Andes, for a drive.

• William Richardson has returned from Margaretville where he has been for the past seven weeks.

• A.O. Butts now comes out with a new three seated canopy top carriage and Dr. Seacord with a new buggy.

• Mrs. Charles Arbuckle, son and daughter, or Newark, NJ, arrived here last Thursday, for their customary summer visit.

• Mrs. Johnson, M.D. from India, gave an address in the United Presbyterian church Sabbath evening of about an hour and a half duration.

• Among those at Delhi Tuesday were F.C. Armstrong, Frank Brown, Wm. T. Miller and wife, Mrs. Thomas Ormiston, Dora Boggs, James Hastings and family, Oscar Felton, Ward Coulter, Leonard Sloan, D.D. and B.S. Miller.

• Nell Myers has not been so well for a few days.  Sunday the doctor made an incision back of the ear and took out considerable pus, and Wednesday while he was dressing it she was taken with a spasm, but rested well Wednesday night. [Nellie's illness started in July and she would succumb to it in October.]

• Mrs. Emile Ruff died at her home on Scotch Mountain Monday morning. Before her marriage she was a Redmond. Wednesday the remains were brought here for interment. She was about 35 years old and a daughter of Matthew Redmond. [She was the former Cora Redmond, born in 1867.]

August 10, 1900

• Dr. Dickson was at Hobart Monday.

• Miss Lucy Jackson visited Delhi Saturday.

• Dr. Seacord and wife were at Delhi on Friday.

• H.J. Hewitt was up from Delhi on Saturday.

• Peter Mosier and wife passed thro’ town on Sabbath.

• Wm. and Everett McPherson were in town Saturday.

• John W. Hewitt made a trip over to Andes Wednesday. 

• The Al Martz specialty company is billed here for Saturday night. [More detail below.]

• A Mr. Striker from New Jersey, has been in town trying to buy calves.

• A.B. Jardine wife and child, from Glenburnie, were visitors here on Saturday.

• James Seath arrived in town Friday.  He was compelled to take a vacation on account of a lame leg.

• J.L. Coulter and wife and Miss Jennie Strangeway returned home Saturday from their western trip.

• Among those at the County Seat on Saturday were Arthur Hoy, Peter Robson, D.C. Worden, Fred Bramley. 

• Tuesday evening Alex. Hilson was elected one of the trustees of the Centre school to succeed J.L. Coulter.

• Monday was the hottest day so far this season, the thermometer standing at 100 in the shade. Wednesday beat it.

• A social was held at D.J. Miller’s last Friday evening, with a goodly number present and a good time reported.

• Saturday the Bovina and Bovina Centre boys played ball at Bovina and the game resulted in favor of the Centre boys by a score of 8 to 6.

• The trustees have hired Miss Margaret Gilchrist to teach the Primary department of the village school for the ensuing year. It will be remembered that she taught that department last year until the spring term, when she was taken sick. 

[This is a description of Al Martz’ Big Specialty Company’s appearance in Andes. The company appeared in Bovina two days earlier.]

Wait for It

Al. Martz’ Big Specialty Company, brass band and orchestra will appear at Union Hall, Andes, August 13.  This company has appeared here before and made a decided hit.  With the company are such well known vaudeville artists as John H. Fagan, Irish comedian, dancer and singer; Bates and Bates, musical artists; Hazel Reynolds, acrobatic dancer; Grant Sisters, lady song and dance artists; O’Brien Bros, acrobats; Al Martz, comedian and bone soloist, and Jones and Livingston, contortionists.  Street parade at noon.  Prices 25 and 35 cents.  It will pay you to wait for this show.

August 17, 1900

• Thomas Miller was at Norwich Friday.

• David Oliver has purchased a new horse.

• Alex Burns was at the County Seat Monday.

• David Currie was up from Delhi on Sabbath.

• James Happy, of Albany, was in this place Wednesday.

• Thomas Gordon and wife were at Delhi over Sabbath.

• George Cable and W.L. Forrest visited Delhi Wednesday.

• G.D. Miller and wife visited relatives at Andes Saturday.

• Richard Smith returned Saturday from his visit at Walton. 

• H.S. Graham the Delhi Harward merchant was in town Monday.

• Frank Kaufman and family from Kingston have been visiting in town.

• Misses Lillian Miller and Mayme Liddle of Andes were in town last Tuesday. 

• The Trustees have hired William E. Hastings as principal of the Centre school.

• John Storie returned Thursday from visiting his brother, A.F. Storie, at Newburgh.

• Dr. Lee of Franklinville was in town Wednesday as a witness in the Storie suit.

• Adam Elliott, of Garettsville, two daughters and Mr. Holdrich have been guests at Thomas Miller’s.

• John L. Gordon, of the New York city police force, arrived in town last Thursday for a ten days vacation.

• Commissioner Gow held teachers’ examinations at Delhi last Thursday and Friday. About 75 took the examinations.

• Last week J.J. Johnson’s team ran away with a reaper, damaging it considerably by colliding with a telephone pole at George Russell’s.

• Among recent real estate conveyances in town are Lydia and Edgar Hall to J.K. Russell, $2,500. J.K. Russell and wife to Frank Finch, $2,500 (the Soper farm.)

• Saturday a return game of ball was played here between the Andes and Bovina Centre teams. The Centre boys could handle the visitors “without gloves” and won with a score of 22 to 6.

• Alex Neish was in town Wednesday as referee in the suit of Samuel Storie vs. John Storie.  The case was adjourned to October 2.  Wagner & Fisher attorneys for the plaintiff and Henry Davie and George Youmans for the defendant.

• Some of the teachers have secured positions as follows:  Emma Campbell in the Miller avenue district; Charles McPherson in the Armstrong district; Bert McNair, at the Butt End; Irene Forrest, at the Toll Gate; Carrie Scott, in Maynard district; James A. Thompson, up Coulter Brook; Maggie Strangeway, in Josh Hobbie district; Levi Bowen, at Lake Delaware.

August 24, 1900

• School in town will soon open.

• John P. Mabon and wife were here on Sabbath. [His wife was the former Elizabeth Murdock.]

• Andrew Scott of Delhi, was in town on Sabbath.

• George Douglas was seen in town on Sabbath.

• John O. Gladstone, of Delhi, was in town Monday.

• W.J. Maynard has been at Springfield, this week.

• John G. Bramley and family have been visiting in town.

• John Mitchell, of Stamford, was in this place Wednesday.

• Miss Jennie Miller went to Walton the fore part of the week.

• The Fortnightly Club held a picnic at Lake Delaware Friday.

• James F. Scott and family, of Delhi, were visitors here Tuesday.

• Marshall Mitchell and M.T. Menzie, of Delhi, were here Thursday.

• William Sloan and David Currie were up form Delhi on Sabbath.

• Frank Kaufman and R.A. Thompson were at Bloomville Monday.

• W.L. White and Harrison Gladstone were at Stamford Saturday.

• Miss Mina Cooke has hired to teach school at Brock’s Bridge, Colchester.

• Miss Jennie Campbell has been visiting her sister, Mrs. John Doig, at Walton.

• Saturday John L. Gordon returned to New York to resume his police duties. 

• Mr. and Mrs. F.R. Coulter and W.A. Boy were among those at the County Seat Wednesday.

• Thomas Gordon and wife, John L. Gordon and Lizzie Rogers visited at Stamford Saturday.

• James Armstrong and W.B. Gladstone, two Gladstone Hollow farmers, were in this place Friday.

• Rev. Samson, James Coulter and others went to Walton Wednesday to attend the convention at that place.

• Among those at Delhi Tuesday were R.E. Bergman and sister, James Forman and sister and David Draffin.

• John W. Blair, Rev. Williams, Dr. Seacord and W.G. McNee were at Fleischmann’s Tuesday to witness the ball game. 

• Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Ceas, of Bloomville, were guests of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Bailey, at Lake Delaware last week.

• Thomas Ormiston arrived in town on Friday from Maryland for a visit, and on Wednesday he and his family started on their return to their southern home.

• Among those in town Tuesday we noticed Daniel Ceas of Bloomville, W.D. Thomson, of Rondout, Bert White, of Andes, George Gordon and a load of Delhi people.

• There will be a Sabbath School picnic of the Sabbath Schools in town on Tuesday, August 28, in Dickson’s grove.  The public in general is invited.

August 31, 1900

• William Maynard is at Chicago this week.

• F.C. Chamberlain was here Tuesday from Andes.

• Miss Maggie Sloan, of Mateawan, is visiting in town.

• Miss Fannie B. Thomson visited at Andes Saturday.

• Butter is bringing a good price – 20 cents for firkins.

• James B. Thomson made a trip over to Andes Saturday.

• Rob Robson, Arthur Hoy and Geo. McNair were all over at Andes Friday last.

• B.S. Miller is attending the National G.A.R. Encampment at Chicago this week.

• Dennis Brothers are exhibiting their poultry at the Margaretville fair this week.

• A new dress of paint is soon to be put on the Methodist church and parsonage.

• This place was visited by violent thunder storms Friday evening and Sabbath afternoon.

• At a meeting of the directors of the Town Insurance Company Tuesday the claim of W.F. Boggs was adjusted at $200, and the claim of F.R. Coulter at $140.25.

• There was a Sabbath school picnic of the Sabbath Schools in town on Tuesday, August 28, in Dickson’s grove.  The picnic did not come up to those of former years and the attendance was not as large as formerly.

Fire in Bovina

Bovina had a fire Friday night.  During the thunderstorm that raged on that evening lightning struck the wagon house on F.R. Coulter’s farm near Bramley mountain, and burned it and all its contents.  Charles Hafele, who lives on the Jardine farm, discovered the fire and hastened to the scene.  Mr. Bogg’s, who rent the farm, were to bed and before they could be aroused the entire building was in flames and nothing could be saved.  Two horses, wagons, harness, hay, etc., were destroyed.  A new buggy and harness belonging to young Russell Boggs were also burned.  It is thought that the horses were killed by lightning, as when the boards fell away so the interior could be seen, both horses laying each with its head thrown around on its shoulder, apparently no struggle had been made.  The insurance was in the Bovina Town Company as follows:  $100 on the building, $100 on the horses, and $150 on the other contents.

Bovina and the American Revolution - James Cooley (1755-1823)

 

James Cooley’s experience in the American Revolution was fairly dramatic. He was born in 1755 in Massachusetts. In April 1777, he enlisted in Captain Luke Day’s company of Infantry in Massachusetts for three years, serving as a fifer. The year he enlisted he participated in the Battle of Saratoga. The following May, he participated in the Battle of Cobleskill and was captured by the forces of Joseph Brant, a loyalist Mohawk Indian. They took him to Fort Niagara then to Quebec in Canada, where he was a prisoner for over four years. He was exchanged at Dobbs Ferry in the lower Hudson Valley in November 1782 rejoining his regiment near West Point and was honorably discharged.

A couple of years after the end of the war, James was married to Mary Lyon and by 1800, they were living in Harpersfield, Delaware County. He later lived in northern Bovina, moving there when it still was part of the town of Stamford.

James applied for a pension in April 1818, when he was 63. His application noted “that he was engaged with the enemy in the memorable Battle of Saratoga and a number of skirmishes.” He also mentioned his time as a prisoner or war. James now was living in indigent circumstances and required “the assistance of his country for support…”

At the time of his application, James possessions included a pitchfork, six sheep, one sickle, one broken tea kettle, two or three cups and saucers, one tea pot, a cherry table, an old bible and an old tobacco box. He was a farmer but said that because of his feeble health, including rheumatism, he could no longer farm and relied on the support of his daughter. His wife was age fifty and was also in increasing feeble health. He was in debt about fifteen dollars plus he had to pay for his pension application.

He received a pension of eight dollars a month and collected it until his death in November 1823. His wife continued to collect the pension at eighty-eight dollars a year, until her passing, sometime after 1841. She left Bovina after his death, likely to live with one of her children in Chenango County.

James is likely buried in Bovina, but unfortunately, we don’t know where. Given that he lived in Northern Bovina, he could be buried in the Nichols Cemetery on Cape Horn Road.

August 1925 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

 

From the Bovina column of the Andes Recorder for August 1925:

August 7, 1925

• Born to Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Russell August 3, a son. [This son was named William James Russell. He died in 1966.]

• Charles J. Russell, of Delhi, was a caller in town Wednesday.

• Miss Nettie Doig, of Delhi, is with her sister, Mrs. T.C. Strangeway.

• Professor Leon Taggart and family, of Oneonta, were here on Sabbath.

• Mrs. Marvin J. Thomson and children, of Troy, were here the first of the week.

• Mrs. John Aitkens is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Arthur Flynn, at Pepacton.

• Mr. and Mrs. Tracy and children, of Philadelphia, are visiting her father, A.B. Phyfe.

• The U.P. church was filled Sabbath morning to hear Rev. H.B. Speer, a former pastor.

• Miss Edith Tripp, of Oneonta, is a guest of her aunts, Mrs. J.F. Brown and Mrs. C.S. Gladstone.  [Mrs. Brown was Nancy D. Coulter. Mrs. Gladstone was Margaret J. Coulter. They were the daughters of Dixon E. Coulter and Margaret Elliott.]

• Mr. and Mrs. James Ackerley spent Sabbath with his sister, Mrs. Josephine Hornbeck, at Arkville.

• Miss Margaret Archibald, of the County Clerk’s office, spent over the week end with relatives here.

• Ralph Barnhart has purchased of Charles J. Russell his house in the upper part of Bovina Center. [This house later became the home of Roy and Eleanor Worden and is now the home of Brian and Marcia Olenych.]

• Mr. Bell Dunn, Mrs. E.F. McNair, Raymond McNair and wife, of Binghamton, are visiting at John McCune’s.

• John Northrup, and daughter, Mrs. Scutt and children, spent Monday with his daughter, Mrs. Will Oliver in Harpersfield.

• David J. Miller, of Walton, with a carpenter, is making repairs on the barn on the homestead farm, which is back on his hands. [David was named for his grandfather, who came to the United States around 1815 from Scotland. The farm was in the Bramley Mountain area.]

• Dr. and Mrs. Trader and children, of Sonyea, N.Y., are visiting her father, James W. Thomson. Mrs. Trader is also a physician.

• F.W. Hyatt, who a few weeks ago moved to Delhi, has moved into the house on the former Thomas Mabon farm on the Turnpike.  During the moving Mrs. Hull, his housekeeper, broke her wrist.

August 14, 1925

• Mrs. Gideon Miller, of Hamden, is a visitor in town. [This likely was the former Christiana Northrup.]

• Mrs. James A. Gow has been visiting her sons at Endicott.

• Born to Mr. and Mrs. Alex Thomson uptown on August 8, a son. [Actually, the Thomson's had a daughter, Thelma Eloise, on October 7. Mrs. Thomson was the former Thelma Joslin. Thelma Eloise later married George Fletcher. She passed away in 1992.]

• The Coulter reunion will be held on August 19, at J.W. Thomson’s.

• Bovina real estate transfers recorded are Margaret Storie to Eugene Storie $1.

• Mrs. and Mrs. Henry Monroe are spending a few days in New York City.

• Harold Kern, of Ithaca, was a guest at the Dickson home over the week end.

• Mr. and Mrs. William Aitkens of Long Island, are visiting his parents here.

• Master Alex Hilson has been spending the past week with Master Robert Hunt at Delhi.

• Mrs. Scholas and three children, of Walton, are visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wallace Smith. [Mrs. Scholas was actually Mrs. Horace Schloss. She was born Helen Eusebia Smith in 1899.]

• Mr. and Mrs. Charles Thomson and children, of Katona, N.Y., spent a few days this week with his father, Jas W. Thomson. 

• Mrs. George Decker, Mrs. Arthur Decker, Mrs. William Armstrong and Mrs. Hugh Galland spent Tuesday at Margaretville.

• Mr. and Mrs. Gaylie Hafele and his mother, Mrs. Charles Hafele, have gone to Canada to visit his brother, Dr. Jardine Hafele.

• Jayson McCumber died at the home of his son, Harry McCumber in upper Bovina, on August 9. The funeral was held Tuesday and interment made at Margaretville. His age was 69 years. He was a stone mason by trade.

Attacked by Bull

Last Thursday Elmer Gladstone was attacked by a bull and knocked down. Fortunately the bull then walked away a short distance and before it could renew hostilities Mr. Gladstone made his escape.  All the other members of the family were absent from home. [I believe this is Robert Elmer Gladstone, son of George Gladstone and Helen Strangeway. He survived this attack and lived another 30 years, dying in 1951 at the age of 81.]

August 21, 1925

• Mr. and Mrs. James Rogers and two sons, of New York, were callers here Tuesday.

• There was a large attendance at the Coulter reunion held Wednesday at Jas W. Thomson’s.

• Milton Hasting spent from Friday until Wednesday with his brother, Elmer Hastings, at Saranac.

• Rev. Tucker, a representative of the Anti-Saloon League, preached at the U.P. church Sabbath morning.

• G.D. Miller is having the basement wall under his barn rebuilt. He will move the barn back about five feet.

• Mrs. John McCune entertained her Sabbath School class on the heights of Utsayantha at Stamford on Tuesday.

• Employees of the New York State Gas and Electric Company have set the stakes to run the line into Bovina Center.

• Mrs. Charles Scovell, son, Robert and daughter, Bertha, of Glen Cove, Long Island, are visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Decker.

Bovina Woman Breaks Arm

Mrs. John McCune had the misfortune to have her arm broken between the shoulder and elbow.  She was returning from Stamford and at Delhi as she approached the turn from Main to Kingston street she put out her arm to give the signal a truck backed into her car at that moment and her arm was caught in such a manner as to break it.  She was taken to the office of Dr. Goodrich, where the fracture was given attention. [This probably was the former Ida Jane McNair. She was in her 50s when this accident occurred. She died in 1953.]

August 28, 1925

• A new roof is being put on the Bovina Center school house.

• Alex Myers was at Andes on business errands Wednesday.

• This section was visited by a heavy white frost Saturday morning.

• Loron Maxin moved this week into the house on David J. Miller’s farm.

• Millard Gow and wife and Willard Gow and wife, of Endicott, were here Wednesday.

• Mrs. Bell Laing, of Andes, is visiting her niece, Mrs. Bell Hilson and other relatives. [Mrs. Laing was the former Isabella Anderson. Mrs. Hilson was married to Alex Hilson. Both women were widows at this point.]

• Milton R. Hoy and three children, of Oil City, came Wednesday for a visit with Bovina relatives.

• Miss Mary Flamsburg, of South Hampton, Long Island, is a guest of her friend, Miss Jane Hilson.

• Born in New York City, August 18, to Mr. and Mrs. Maurice Miller, a son. The father was a former resident here. 

• The Archibald family reunion was held Wednesday at the home of Mrs. Alexander Hilson. There was large attendance, about 100 of the clan being present.

• Henry M. Archibald came up from New York City this week to attend the Archibald reunion. He was accompanied by his daughters, Mrs. Agnes McGill and Mrs. Irene Craddick, and granddaughters, Miss Irene McGill and Miss Agnes Craddick. They made the trip by auto with William Scanlon as driver.

New Residence of Miss Gerry

Plans are said to be nearly completed for the fine new summer home which Miss Angelica Gerry of New York and Lake Delaware is to build on the former J.K. Russell place, which Miss Gerry purchased last year, near the Lake Delaware church.  The building will be of colonial style; will have 23 rooms, and will be built of native stone, to be taken from the place, and will be on a knoll which affords a delightful view. [This became Ancrum and stood until after Miss Gerry's death in 1960. It was demolished a few years later.]

This Day in Bovina for July 2025

Here's the compilation of the entries from the Town of Bovina Historian Facebook page: 

106 years ago today, on July 1, 1919, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Lloyd Oliver had a narrow escape …from going off the high wall at Alex Myers' in his car.  Something was wrong with the car and Terry, the garage man, towed it backwards to the top of the pitch and he started to coast down.  In front of the Myers house a rod dropped down careering the car into the air so that only one wheel was on the ground and when it righted itself it was on the wall and less than a foot from the edge.  Mr. Oliver, who had no brakes, succeeded in guiding the car along the wall and it was stopped in front of Elliott Thomson's." John Lloyd Oliver would pass away in 1924 at the age of 22. He was the hired man for John Burns at the time of his passing.

197 years ago today, on July 2, 1828, David Thomson posted the following ad in the Delaware Gazette: "Six Cents Reward. Ranaway from the subscriber on the 1st inst. an indented apprentice of the Farming business, by the name of Mitchell McComb, in the 20th year of his age. All persons are forbid harboring or trusting him on my account as I will pay no debts of his contracting after this date. The above reward will be paid to any person who will apprehend and return said boy to me but no charges." Whether and/or how he was returned has not been determined but by 1840, McComb had his own farm in Bovina. Before 1850 he sold the farm and ended up in Delhi working as a laborer. He served in the Civil War and settled in Washington, DC after the conflict, where he died in 1880.

117 years ago today, on July 3, 1908, Norman Hawley was married to Edith Michelbach in Bovina, with the Rev. Norman Speer officiating and Mrs. E.E. Hastings and John T. Coulter as witnesses.  About six weeks later, on August 18, Norman was arrested at the farm of John A. Irvine on Coulter Brook, where he was a hired hand, for having deserted from the regular army about a year previous while stationed in Vermont.  His wife was living in Binghamton at the time, probably with his parents.  The letters that passed between them led to his discovery.  He was dishonorably discharged on September 20, 1908. This doesn't seem to have had a major impact on his life. In 1910, he was living in Binghamton with his wife and parents.  The couple later settled in Syracuse, where Hawley worked for the railroad as an engineer for many years. He passed away in 1946 in Bainbridge and is buried in Syracuse.

Seventy years ago today, on July 4, 1955, Isabell Russell recorded in her diary "A grand day nice & clear but very hot. Charles was over and we ate on the side lawn had our new picnic table." Charles was Cecil's brother. I believe this photo is from that day - Hildreth Russell, Charles Russell, Cecil Russell and Isabell Russell. 

118 years ago today, the July 5, 1907 Andes Recorder Bovina column reported that: "The telephone service in Bovina is on the 'bum' and with no signs of anything better. It is stated that the central for the Rose lines will be at Hobart and in order to talk with Andes for example it would be necessary to call Hobart and then talk via Delhi. Certainly very convenient."

Thirty-two years ago today, the July 6, 1993 issue of the Delaware County Times included this photo of Florence Thomas with some of her husband’s antique cars. 

126 years ago today, the July 7, 1899 Andes Recorder in its Bovina column reported that "Quite a number of new mowing machines have been bought this year.  Besides those mentioned last week they are Walter Biggar, a McCormick; E. Burgin, an Osborn; James Coulter, a Walter A. Wood and F.C. Armstrong, a Buckeye." [Note: I could not find any mention of ‘those mentioned last week’ in the previous issue of the paper.]

127 years ago today, the Bovina column of the July 8, 1898 Andes Recorder reported that "The forest worms are committing great ravages in many sugar camps.  In Stephen Russell’s camp they have many of the trees stripped of leaves, and in many other places are equally as bad."

In 1946, Delhi photographer Bob Wyer took a series of aerial pictures around Bovina in a plane piloted by Eddie Davidson. This is the farm of Bill Parsons, which stood at the end of Boggs road in Bovina. Bill was born in 1906. He married Ruth Coulter in 1933, and they raised four children on the farm. Bill died in 1962. The house was demolished about a decade ago. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

113 years ago today, the July 10, 1912 Delaware Gazette carried an article about what later became Route 28: "RIGHT OF WAY SECURED. Tuesday, Chairman Dickson, with [town] Supervisors Johnson and Palmer went over the route of the Andes-Delhi State road in company with an engineer and completed the work of securing the right of way. The damages in Bovina, range from nothing to $200. Some of the trees at Lake Mahican will be saved by a slight change of plans."

The Bovina column from the Catskill Mountain News from seventy-three years ago, the July 11, 1952 issue:   

These images of Jim Burns were taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s/early 1940s. Jim was born in Bovina in 1917, the son of Bill and Emily Burns. He married Helen Bowen in 1938 and farmed in Bovina on Pink Street the rest of his life. He died in 1994, leaving two sons and a daughter. His widow died 20 years later. 

156 years today, on July 13, 1869, James Campbell filed with the town clerk a notice concerning a stray colt that showed up at his farm.  "Notice is hereby given that an iron grey horses colt came to my premises this morning, the owner is requested to prove property, pay charges and take the same away.  Dated July 13, 1869, James M. Campbell."  James Campbell's farm was on Scutt Mountain Road.  

146 years ago today, a letter dated July 14, 1879 came from Bovina farmer George Archibald to Johnson's Patent Iron Neck Yoke company. It was published in the Delaware Gazette a few days later: "Dear Sir: I have broken three wooden neck-yokes on my mowing machine within the past few years. The last one, the present season broke while turning around frightening one of my horses which threw the other horse on to the knives of the machine, cutting its leg so bad that I was compelled to kill it (a valuable one). I have now one of your iron neck-yokes, which stands the racket. I could have sold my horse for enough to buy your iron neck-yokes for all my neighbors, and many of them are and have been breaking the cheap yokes furnished with the machines."

Ninety-nine years ago today, on July 15, 1926, as reported in the Stamford Mirror, "Mrs. Belle Hilson, Miss Jane Hilson, Miss Elizabeth Strangeway and Miss Ruth Coulter left Thursday for the Pacific coast.  Mrs. Hilson and her daughter expect to visit points in California, while Miss Strangeway and Miss Coulter will attend the Young People's Convention in Seattle."  Belle Hilson was the widow of Alex Hilson and lived in the house now occupied by Chris and Mike Batey.  Elizabeth Strangeway was the aunt of Ruth Coulter.  Ruth would later marry Bill Parsons.

This image of a young Margaret Gordon came from photos shared by the late Russ Boggs. Margaret grew up in Bovina, the daughter of Bovina Town Clerk Tom Gordon. She later became a social studies teacher, teaching for many years at Delaware Academy. 

In 1946, Delhi photographer Bob Wyer took a series of aerial pictures around Bovina in a plane piloted by Eddie Davidson. This is the image of the Alex Rabeler farm, which later became Suits Us Farm.  There's been a farm on this site since at least 1830, when it was owned by John R. Thomson. It later was owned by John M. Miller, then Frank Rupert before Alex purchased it in 1941. This is now the Bovina Center Montessori School. Images courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

178 years ago today, on July 18, 1847, Robert Forrest, the son of Thomas E. Forrest and Ellen Raitt, died at the age of three. He is buried in the Old Associate Presbyterian Church cemetery (more commonly known as the Reinertsen Hill Road cemetery).  Thomas and Ellen Forrest would lose several other children in their infancy. Ellen had thirteen children but would lose at least six of them before they reached adulthood.

107 years ago today, on July 19, 1918, Bovina was hit with a heavy storm that caused considerable crop damage and killed three cows.  Gardens and field crops, including William Archibald's buckwheat were destroyed by hail, some of the early stones being as large as plums (the Archibald farm was at the lower end of Bovina Center, what later was the Frank McPherson farm).  The maple tree at the home of the Muller sisters (across from about where the late Hugh and Pat Lee lived – and where Taylor Foster lives) was struck by lightning.  Lightning traveled into the house of Adam Laidlaw through the telephone lines but did no damage (the Laidlaw farm is where Marie Burns lives now).  A.B. Phyfe, who had the farm now owned by Tim and Kristin Schneider, saw his entire dairy of three cows killed by lightning.

Twenty-two years ago today, on July 20, 2003, I took this photograph of my dad, Charlie LaFever, with the Davidson brothers, Richard, Ed and Alan. It was the last time these four gentlemen would gather like this. Charlie and Alan died within a couple of weeks of each other in early 2004. Ed and Dick continued their annual trips to Bovina for about another decade. Ed passed away in 2019. Dick lives in California. 

Sixty-four years ago today, the July 21, 1961 issue of the Oneonta Star included this story about the family of baseball great Whitey Ford spending some time at Suits-Us Farm: 

This image of Ralph Tuttle was taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s. Ralph was born in 1906 and lived on the Tuttle Farm on Lee Hollow for many years. Ralph died in 1983 and is buried in Bovina.

124 years ago today, on July 23, 1901, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "the first load of lumber was drawn for the creamery at the Centre…" Here's an image of the creamery a few years after it opened. 

129 years ago today, the July 24, 1896 issue of the Andes Recorder, in its Bovina column, had several entries concerning the poor hay and oats crop, reporting that "The worms are doing a great deal of damage in the oats and also in some pieces of corn. Some have quit haying and are cutting their oats to save them from the pests." The Bovina columnist also noted that "a good many have finished haying and the majority say they have only about half a crop, as compared with last year. There will be lots of cows to dispose of this fall."

Eighty-seven years ago today, on July 25, 1934, J. Douglas Burns died in Bovina at the age of 75. He was a lifelong resident of Bovina, the son of John Burns and Nancy Ormiston. He married Maggie Doig in 1879. They had five children, four of whom survived to adulthood - Arthur, Eva, Elizabeth and Willam C. The images are J. Douglas and his wife Maggie.  

144 years ago today, the Bovina column for the July 26, 1881 Stamford Mirror reported that "The new boat on the pond at the coopershop is a source of attraction for the small boys, and some large ones."

Forty-three years ago today, this article appeared in the July 27, 1982 Delaware County Times about Russell's Store.  

164 years ago today, on July 28th, 1861, George H. Lee, son of Charles R. Lee, died of diphtheria in Brushland. Four days later, his sister, Margery Saloma also died of the same disease. Both children are buried in the Bovina cemetery.

130 years ago today, on July 29, 1895, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Andes Recorder, "John Bramley was in town…after ice for the Andes meat market."

Ninety-one years ago today, on July 30, 1934, David Currie resigned as Bovina Town Clerk. James Hoy was appointed to fill the position. Hoy would hold the position for about a year when David Currie would resume it and hold it until 1945. James' wife, Margaret, succeeded David in the position, becoming the first woman to be the Town Clerk for Bovina.

 

This double postcard view of Bovina Center probably dates from the 1930s.