Here's the monthly compilation of the daily entries on the Town of Bovina Historian Facebook page.
This image of Paul Bellino was taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in 1940. Born in New York City in 1908, he came to Bovina as a child with his parents, Angelo and Rose Bellino, in 1915. They had the farm on Pink Street now owned by Hall Wilkie. Paul graduated from the Oneonta Normal School and in 1931 he was teaching in Oneonta. He was a veteran of World War II, enlisting in 1942. Paul died in 1999. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.
Eighty-two years ago today, the September 2, 1943 Delaware Republican reported in its Bovina column that "Warren Sarle of Chicago is spending a few days with his father, Dr. W.C. Sarle, who recently submitted to an operation for cataracts." Dr. Sarle had been the doctor in Bovina since 1927. He left Bovina not long after the surgery and died in 1946. This sign is now at the Bovina Museum.
147 years ago today, the September 3, 1878 issue of the Stamford Mirror had this item: Mr. M.N. Mitchell of Andes, was recently assaulted by a drunken constable from Bovina. Such officers of the law (?) ought to be under lock and key for a while."
125 years ago today, on September 4, 1900, Fred Bramley of Bovina, and Lucy Jackson, of Andes, were married at Delhi. The Andes Recorder noted that the "marriage occurred just ten months to the day after the death of his first wife." His first wife, Margaret, died in November 1899. They had been married for seven years and had two children, both who died young. His marriage to Lucy lasted 14 years until her death in 1914. They would have five children. Fred would marry a third time but waited nine years before marrying Christina Close in 1923. He would be widowed a third time when she died in 1943. He died the following year.
These are three postcard views of the same bridge - the old Scott Bridge which stood at the lower end of the Bovina Center hamlet. Built in the 1870s, it was demolished in 1955 after a modern replacement bridge was built.
Thirty-nine years ago today, the September 6, 1986 issue of the Daily Star (Oneonta) carried this article by Diane Galusha about Hilson's Store.
124 years ago today, the September 7, 1901 Delaware Republican had the following item of news ('borrowed' from the Andes Recorder): "Needle in Her Foot - For some time Mrs. Joshua Hobbie, who resides in the upper part of Bovina, has been suffering severely with swollen foot, it was thought she would have to go to the hospital and undergo an operation. Last week she was rubbing the afflicted member when she felt something sharp in the foot and called to others of the family and an examination showed that the point of a needle protruded and when pulled out by Mr. Hobbie it was found that with the exception of being broken at the eye the needle was intact. How the needle got there is a mystery, as Mrs. Hobbie has no recollection of ever running a needle into herself. She still has a very bad foot." This likely is Matilda Pangburn Hobbie. Born in 1862, she survived the needle and died in 1927.
101 years ago today, September 8, 1924, Hillis's garage in Bovina submitted this bill for $10.45 to the Town of Bovina for a tire and tube. This garage later became Thomas's garage and is now owned by Tom Hetterich.
Sixty years ago today, the Bovina column in the September 9, 1965 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "Mr. and Mrs. Robert Burns and older daughter, Amy, have been on a seashore vacation and other places of interest. Mrs. Jack Burns kept the baby in their absence." The baby was Colleen.
This chauffeur license image of Fred Desilva were taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in 1940. Chauffeur licenses were required for anyone driving for hire or as part of their job. Today this is known as a Class E license in New York. Frederick Alexander DeSilva was born in Arena in 1909 and spent much of his childhood and early adulthood in Bovina. He married Ethel Burgin in Bovina in 1934. Fred and Ethel have the distinction of being the only married couple to appear on the World War II Bovina Honor Roll. They moved to Hobart around 1946. Fred died in Stamford in 1976. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.
Roxanna A. Hobbie, the three-year-old daughter of Joshua Knapp Hobbie and his wife Sarah, (also known as Sally) died 190 years today on September 11, 1835. She is buried in the Bovina Cemetery.
136 years ago today, the September 12, 1889 Hobart Independent had this item: "Archie Maynard, of Bovina, who has been roaming about this vicinity during the summer, and ' cutting up' peculiar capers, has been adjudged insane by a commission—which consisted of Dr. Buckley of Delhi, and Drs. McNaught & Odell of Hobart" The paper reported a few months later that Archie had returned to his home in Bovina. This is likely Archibald Maynard, son of Elisha B. Maynard and Jane McDonald. Born in 1860, he was living with his parents in 1900 in Stamford and listed as an invalid. By 1910, his census entry lists him with his widowed mother, working as a landscape painter, but two years later, he was examined by a commission and committed to the Binghamton State Hospital. He died there in 1927.
In 1946, Delhi photographer Bob Wyer took a series of aerial pictures around Bovina in a plane piloted by Eddie Davidson. This image is of Eddie's parent's home at Russell Hill Road and County Route 6. Fletcher and Lois Davidson bought the home in 1923. It is now the home of Bonnie and Ed Denison. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.
Here's a postcard view of the Bovina United Presbyterian Church, likely dating from the early 20th century. Note the stone steps on the left and in the front of the church. These were for alighting from horse drawn carriages.
On September 15, 1858, 163 years ago today, Rhoda Davis died in Andes. As reported in the Bloomville Mirror on September 21, Mrs. Davis was the widow of Samuel Davis. She was 88 years old at the time of her death. The paper went on to report that "She was one among first settlers in Bovina. Her exemplary life endeared her to all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance." She was born Rhoda Hilton around 1770 in Connecticut.
Seventy-two years ago today, on September 16, 1953, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, a school fair was held at the Bovina Center school. Here's the article which appeared on the front page of the paper.
Fifty-seven years ago today, the September 17, 1968 Daily Star (Oneonta) included this photo and caption of the new barn being built by Jack and Bob Burns. The barn still is in use by Dominic and Laurie Gullow.
In 1946, Delhi photographer Bob Wyer took a series of aerial pictures around Bovina in a plane piloted by Eddie Davidson. Farm on left now owned by Raymond Stewart, Jr, was purchased from William and Luise Sellhorn. The Sellhorns purchased the property in the late 1930s. The property at one time was owned by Sloan Archibald. The farm on right is that of Raymond's brother, Lester Stewart. These farms are part of lot 108 of Great Lot 41 of the Hardenburgh Patent. One section of this lot leased in 1834 for an annual rent of one shilling per acre paid to James Overing. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.
124 years ago today, on September 19, 1901, a memorial service was held at the Bovina United Presbyterian church for recently assassinated U.S. President William McKinley. As later reported in the Andes Recorder, the service was presided over by the church's pastor, Rev. Samson. "Charles Arbuckle read the scripture lesson; Margaret Swart read the President's proclamation, and addresses were made by Rev. Slater, R.E. Bergman and Rev. Samson." Presidential Portrait by Harriet Anderson Stubbs Murphy
109 years ago today, September 20, 1916, Cecil Russell was married to Isabell Irvine. Here is the invitation to the wedding received by Henry Monroe and his sister Martena.
In 1946, Delhi photographer Bob Wyer took a series of aerial pictures around Bovina in a plane piloted by Eddie Davidson. This image is of the Weber farm. It was owned by Mary Weber and still is in the Weber family today as Webcrest farm, operated by Ed and Donna Weber. The lower left is where Bovina Farm Day takes place each year. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.
109 years ago today, September 22, 1916, the J.W. Coulter Hose Company had a ball game, a Chicken Pie supper and an entertainment in the evening to raise funds. The Bovina Fire Department still has a piece of equipment from the company. Images courtesy of Bovina Fire and EMS from the Town of Bovina Bicentennial Parade in July 2022.
Seventy-two years ago today, a newspaper (unidentified) reported in its September 23, 1953 issue that "The first meeting for lessons in first aid was held at the fire hall Wednesday evening, Sept. 16, with 11 enrolled in this course. The beginners’ course will last for eight weeks and the advanced course will take another four weeks with meetings to be held once a week. This course is being taught by Earl Many and Harold Morse of Hobart. Those enrolled are Mrs. Floyd Aitkens, Mrs. Victor Rose, Mrs. John Renner, Mrs. Howard LaFever, Mrs. Leif Reinertsen, Mrs. Clifford Hall, Mrs. Norton Forrest, Mrs. Magdalena Rosa, Victor Rosa, Floyd Aitkens and George Storie."
Sixty-three years ago today, on September 24, 1962, Rema Hobbie died on the family farm on Cape Horn Road in Bovina. His obituary was published a few days later in the Catskill Mountain News.
This chauffeur license image of Raymond Jardine was taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s. Chauffeur licenses were required for anyone driving for hire or as part of their job. Today this is known as a Class E license in New York. Raymond B. Jardine was born in 1900 in Bovina and died there at his home in 1962. He married Mary Hyzer in Franklin, NY in 1934 and had three children, Marian, Martha and Richard. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.
Eliza Aitken, the 31-year-old wife of David Aitken, died 181 years ago today on September 26, 1844. She is buried in the Old Reformed Presbyterian Church cemetery. A death notice appeared a few days later in the October 2, 1844 Delaware Gazette: "In this town, on the 26th ult., after a short but severe illness, which she bore with christian fortitude, Eliza Aitken, wife of David C. Aitken, aged 30 years, formerly of New York." Her husband died three years later.
Seventy-eight years ago today, on September 27, 1947, the Delaware County Jersey Club held its second annual Consignment Sale at the Charles McPherson Farm in Bovina. This was later the farm of Frank and Stella McPherson. Here's the cover of the sales catalog.
These images of Charlie McIntosh were taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s and early 1940s. Born in 1915, he lived most of his life in Bovina, dying in 1989. He married Eva Pindar in August 1943. Images courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.
Fifty-nine years ago today, the Bovina column in the September 29, 1966 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "The Recreation Club met last Thursday for a luncheon meeting. Officers elected for the coming year are: Chairman, Mrs. Stanley Hewitt, vice-chairman, Mrs. Alex Rabeler sr., secretary-treasurer, Mrs. William J. Storie." The same column also reported that "Mr. and Mrs. Howard LaFever and son Allan took their son John to Canton last weekend where he will enter college for his freshman year. They also visited Mrs. And Mrs. Benson LaFever at Massena."
130 years ago today, on September 30, 1895, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, people around Bovina woke up to snow covering Bramley Mountain and Mount Pisgah.