This Day in Bovina for October 2024

 

Here's the compilation of the Town of Bovina Historian Facebook page entries for October 2024:

103 years ago today, on October 1, 1921, Jennet Isabella Doig died. She was born in 1867 in Gladstone Hollow and spent her entire life in the area. She was the daughter of William S. Doig and Margaret Miller. About a year earlier, according to the Andes Recorder, she had gone to Albany and "submitted to an operation and a portion of the stomach was removed." She had gone back to Albany a few weeks before her death, but they determined nothing further could be done. She had gotten as far as her sister's house (Mrs. Milton McFarland) in Delhi where she died. She is buried in the Bovina Cemetery.

Fifty years ago today, the October 2, 1974 Stamford Mirror Recorder carried this article listing new books at the Bovina Public Library: 

142 years ago today, on the evening of October 3, 1882, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror's Bovina column, "Some of our young men amused themselves by running horses through Brushland…." The action was "severely condemned by people generally…," partly because it was done "while people were on their way to Miss Meade's entertainment…" There also was damage to Dr. Telford's fence and several people were injured. "It is to be hoped that such a thing may not occur again."

176 years ago today, the October 4, 1848 issue of the Delaware Gazette carried this ad for Cement Pipes, noting that two Bovina farmers, James Coulter and Isaac Aitkins, were using such pipes.  

144 years ago today, the Bovina column of the October 5, 1880 Stamford Mirror reported that "Dr. Dickson purchased a building lot of Rev. J. Kennedy, adjoining A.F. McPherson. Which of the fair ones are interested in that transaction?" This lot is where within the next year the building that is now the Brushland Eating House was constructed.

203 years ago today, on October 6, 1821, Nancy Armstrong Miller was born, the daughter of John Armstrong and Isabella Coulter. She married John Thomas Miller in 1849. They would have six children, one of whom died in infancy. Nancy died in 1868, leaving five children, ranging from 14 to 2 years old. Her last surviving child was Elizabeth, known later in life as Lib Blair. Lib died in 1965 when she was just shy of 99 years old. And in the interest of full disclosure, Nancy Miller is my three greats grandmother. This picture is of her four daughters, Nancy Belle, Mary Alice, Helen Jane and Elizabeth Janette. Nancy is on the right and is the ancestor of some of the Burns in Bovina (as well as my great great grandmother). I think Lib Blair is on the left, with Mary Alice at the bottom and Helen Jane at the top.   

126 years ago, the October 6, 1898 Andes Recorder Bovina column reported that "George Forman, who lives at Abram Brandow’s, while out hunting recently, found Alex. Hilson’s money drawer which was taken from his safe when his store was robbed." It was found in the area of East Bramley Mountain Road. The robbery had taken place over a year and a half earlier in March 1897.

Sixty years ago today, the Bovina column of the October 8, 1964 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "Mr. and Mrs. Russell Ryder of the Bronx spent the weekend at their summer home here." This is now the home of Dario and Briana Riera. Here's a picture taken by Russ Ryder of his wife Dot with Eleanor Archibald and Mary Archibald, watching the Bovina Sesquicentennial parade: 

136 years ago today, the October 9, 1888 Stamford Mirror reported that "D.J. Miller, of Bovina, has filled a 70-ton silo, the first one in that town."

195 years ago today, on October 10, 1829, Andrew Archibald, the ancestor of the Archibalds in Bovina, died at the age of 83. He was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland in 1745. He married Grace Hart in Scotland in 1778 where their children were born. Andrew is buried in Bovina in the Associate Presbyterian Church cemetery at Reinertsen Hill Road.

119 years ago today, the Delaware Gazette for October 11, 1905, reported that "Dr. Young of New York has purchased the practice of Dr. Rabuck, Bovina Centre, and taken possession. He will occupy Dr. Rabuck's furnished apartments in J.W. Coulter's house for the present. Dr. Rabuck will not practice for a time on account of nervous trouble." For more information on Drs. Rabuck and Young, visit the Bovina History Blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-succession-of-physicians-bovina.html.

204 years ago today, on October 12, 1820, this bill was submitted for the surveying of the town of Bovina. The total was $67, though it appears that there is a math error, since the total written looks like $77. The bill includes $2.25 for rum for the surveyors.

Fifty-three years ago today, the Bovina column of the October 13, 1971 Stamford Mirror Recorder, written by Beatrice Thomson, noted that "The Women's Discussion Group will meet Wednesday, Oct 20 at 8 pm at Linda Kulaski's home. The topic for discussion will be Planning-As It Relates to Our Community. All women in the community are welcome to attend."

161 years ago today, on October 14, 1863, Robert Dysart died on Folly Island, South Carolina of typhoid fever while serving in the 144th NY Infantry. More information about Robert can be found at the Bovina NY History Blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2013/12/illegitimate-child-of-robert-dysart.html

150 years ago today, on October 15, 1874, as later reported in the Delaware Gazette, "Mr. Alexander Liddle, of Bovina, was using his new horsepower thresher at the barn of Mr. John O. Liddle, of Andes, in feeding the machine his right hand came in contact with the knives of the revolving cylinder, and was instantly torn into shreds, as high as and above the wrist. Amputation of the arm was rendered necessary, and was performed the same evening by Drs. Wight and Crawford, while the patient was narcotized by ether. - Mr. Liddle was able to ride home the next day, and at last accounts was doing as well as could be expected." This Alexander Liddle likely was the son of John O. Liddle. Alexander was a Civil War veteran. He would survive this accident 44 years, dying in 1918 at the age of 78.

Ninety-three years ago today, the Bovina column in the October 16, 1941 Delaware Republican included this item: "Mr. and Mrs. Alex Myers are spending the week in Endicott, N.Y. and Mrs. Arthur Decker [is] the "Hello" at the telephone office here."

Edward O'Connor was born 205 years ago today, October 17, 1819, on what is now Russell Hill. The family farm was located in the town of Delhi when O'Connor was born but a few months later would become part of the newly created town of Bovina. He was the son of Francis O'Connor and Fanny Calder. Edward was involved in the Anti-Rent War and was convicted and sentenced to hang for the shooting of Undersheriff Osman Steele in Andes in 1845. His sentence was commuted to life in prison and within a couple of years he was pardoned by the governor. O'Connor left New York in 1862 and died in Michigan in May 4, 1863. More on O'Connor may be found in the Bovina NY History Blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2013/05/stories-from-bovinas-cemeteries-what.html.

204 years ago today, on October 18, 1820, Adam Kedzie died in Bovina at age 31.  On December 6, his wife Mary, administratrix of his estate, along with his two brothers, James and William auctioned off Adam's horses, cattle, sheep and farming utensils at a public auction.  Mary died in 1830.

112 years ago today on October 19, 1912, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, "'Billy Reed of Bovina was arrested on the charge of public intoxication and sentenced … to 30 days in Delhi jail…" The paper went on to note that this "must seem like going home to Billy." Reed appeared in the 1910 census for Bovina, listed as a servant in the home of Frank and Agnes Coulter.

109 years ago today, the October 20, 1915 Delaware Gazette reported the following: "The body of James D. Boyd, late of Bovina was brought here from New York last Friday for interment. He went to New York four weeks ago and was operated on for gall stones and seemed to be recovering until last week when he died, Thursday. A widow and three grown daughters survive, also four sisters, Mrs. Albert Strickland and Miss Flora Boyd of Delhi, Mrs. E. Coan of Bloomville, and a brother F. M. Boyd of East Meredith. His age was 63 years. The remains were taken to Bovina Center Saturday where the funeral and burial took place." James was 62 years old at his passing.

Eighty-one years ago today, the Bovina column in the October 21, 1943 Delaware Republican-Express carried this item: "Pfc. Clark G. Lay of the 79th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Command, Manchester, Conn., is spending a 13-day furlough at his home here."

135 years ago today, the October 22, 1889 Stamford Mirror had the following item: "Alexander White, an extensive farmer at Belle Plaine, Iowa, has been visiting friends in Bovina, it being nineteen years since he was home last. He expects to bid his aged mother a last farewell. She is the oldest lady in Bovina, being upwards of ninety years of age. In return home, he expects to visit, in Chicago, his cousins, the Rev. John Graham's sons." Mrs. White, born Anna Graham in Scotland in 1799, survived her son's visit by almost 4 years, dying in 1893 when she was 94.

147 years ago today on October 23, 1877, “the Hogaboom Bros., of Bovina, started a drove of cattle, sheep and calves … through to Rondout.”

Ninety-five years ago today, on October 24, 1929, as later reported in the Bovina Center column of the Delaware Republican, "Adam Laidlaw and family, Mr. and Mrs. Humbert of New York were at Howe Caverns on Thursday."

115 years ago today, on October 25, 1909, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, "Mr. and Mrs. E.G. Gladstone and Mr. and Mrs. William J. Doig of Bovina Centre were guests at the home of James Coulter on Wednesday [in Margaretville] while enroute to Colorado where they will reside hereafter."

130 years ago today, the October 26, 1884 issue of the Andes Recorder reported in its Bovina column that "R.A. Thompson has had his house painted in colors. Alex. Myers and William Sloan were the artists."

An ad dated October 27, 1877, 147 years ago today, was created announcing a Cider press at Johnsons mill. It appeared in the November 22, 1877, Andes Recorder.  

Seventy years ago today, the October 28, 1954 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "Former Bovina Pastor Dies." Rev. W.L.C. Samson, who had been pastor of the Bovina UP Church from 1895 to 1906, died "in Pittsburg, Pa., where he had preached until he was past 90." After he left Bovina, he was in California until 1914 then moved on to Pittsburgh. 

104 years ago today, October 29, 1920, William J. Storie hosted a Halloween Party. This is the invitation received by my grandmother, Anna Bell Calhoun.  

189 years ago today, a notice dated October 30, 1835 was posted in the Delaware Gazetter: "Application will be made to the next Legislature of the State of New York, by the Directors of the Bovina Subscription Library, for an act of incorporation." It was signed by Adam Scott, Samuel Gordon and Andrew McFarland.

113 years ago today, on October 31, 1911, as later reported in the Andes Recorder "The Hallowe'en pranks were not as numerous as usual.  Will Thomson's livery sign appeared at Wm. Crosiers' and one of his wagons found its way to the platform at Wat Coulter's mill."