This Day in Bovina for April 2023

 

115 years ago today, on April 1, 1908, William Telford died.  The Andes Recorder provided the details: "William Telford, who lived on the Alex Johnson farm in upper Bovina, died suddenly Wednesday morning, April 1.  He was in the barn milking and had milked two cows when his wife noticed that he was very pale.  He sat down on his milking stool in the driveway and in a few minutes fell on his face on the floor and expired instantly.  He had been suffering with neuralgia and it is supposed that it went to the heart. Mr. Telford, who was a son of Rev. Walter Telford, was 48 years old and most of his life has been spent in Bovina.  He is survived by his wife who was Miss Ella Winter, of New Kingston.”  Ella survived her husband by 35 years, dying in 1943.

 

Eighty-one years ago today, the April 2, 1942 Delaware Republican reported in its Bovina column that "Mr. and Mrs. Dave Roberts of Sidney were here two days last week as guests of her aunt, Mrs. Kate Birdsall."

 

Seventy-four years ago today, on April 3, 1949, a small plane crashed in Bovina. A Beechcraft plane piloted by George P. Kingsley landed on Frank McPherson's flat at the lower end of Bovina Center. There was little damage to the airplane and none to the pilot, nor the dog that was traveling with him. The Catskill Mountain News reported the crash: 1949-04-08 CMN crash

130 years ago, the April 4, 1893 Stamford Mirror reported the following: "At a meeting of the village school district, Bovina Centre, it was voted to purchase, at a cost of $300, a site on the Hasting's farm, recently purchased by Wm. Hoy, upon which to erect a new district school house. A new street will be laid out. A one-story building with two departments, to be built after one of the most approved modern plans, to cost $1,500, will be erected as soon as possible." Construction took place later that year. The building still stands today and is now the Bovina Public Library.

 

The Andes Recorder reported that 122 years ago on April 5, 1901, “Mrs. G.J. Dickson went to New York City…to buy her stock of millinery goods.”

 

204 years ago today, April 6, 1819, a vote was taken in Stamford for annexing a part of the town, with a part of Delhi and Middletown, for the purpose of forming a new Town. Seventy-one voted in favor, sixty-four against. The town which was created the following February was Bovina.

 

143 years ago today, on April 7, 1880, Nancy Bailey Hoy died. Born in Ireland in 1795, she was the daughter of Alexander Bailey and Nancy Forsythe. She married Robert J. Hoy Sr and would have five children before she was widowed in 1865.

 

122 years ago, on April 8, 1901, Alex Hilson was headed to New York City to purchase new goods for his store.

 

Forty-two years ago today, on April 9, 1981, Edna Carter passed away at the age of 88. Born in 1892, she was the daughter of David Champ Worden and Harriett Boyd. Edna grew up in Bovina, attending school at what is now the Bovina library. Edna was married three times. Her first marriage was tragically brief. She married John Henderson in February 1914 in Pittsburgh, married by the pastor they knew when he was in New Kingston. Henderson caught the measles from one of the pastor's children. They came back to Delaware County just as he became ill. He went outdoors before he was completely recovered from the measles and caught a cold. He died about 10 weeks after the wedding. Edna came back to Bovina to teach but two years later, she married James Tolley in Colorado. That marriage ended in divorce in 1926 in Oklahoma. In 1927, she married George Carter in Bovina. They lived in Nebraska where their two children, Marquerite and Enid were born. She was widowed in 1945. She returned to Delaware County, living in Margaretville, where she taught elementary school. She came back to Bovina upon retirement.

 

127 years ago today, the Bovina correspondent for the Andes Recorder in its April 10, 1896, reported that "They are just whooping it up at Lake Delaware.  Nearly all the students who attended school there have the whooping cough."

 

141 years ago today, the April 11, 1882 issue of the Stamford Mirror reported in its Bovina column that "It is expected that a telegraph line to Brushland will be built within three weeks."

 

104 years ago today, on April 12, 1919, Helen Anderson Hastings died in Saranac Lake. The Delaware Republican reported that she had been in the Adirondacks eight or nine years "battling…to overcome the inroads of consumption."  She was the daughter of Andrew and Margaret Anderson and was 49 years old at her death. She, her husband Elmer and her daughters Lulu Jean and Pauline moved together to Saranac. The paper reported that "the change evidently prolonged her life, but the end came all too soon for those who loved her, and the number was legion."  She was buried in Bovina. Her husband survived her by over 20 years, dying in 1945.

 

106 years ago today, the April 13, 1917 issue of the Andes Recorder in its Bovina column reported that "Frank Miller has sold his farm on the hill above the old cemetery to a Norwegian named Jenson.  He retains 40 acres below the road. The farm was formerly the Andrew Thomson place and by him was called 'paradise.'" This is the old Reinertsen farm at the end of Reinertsen Hill Road.  It appears that this news item is reporting the purchase by Andrew Reinertsen and while they got the nationality right, they got the name wrong, though the actual purchase by Andrew didn’t happen until 1919.

 

112 years ago, the Andes Recorder in its April 14, 1911 issue, reported in the Bovina column news the following: “John Miller has secured a position as telegraph operator with the Union Pacific railroad, and has been ordered to report for duty at Omaha, Nebraska. It is not known to what place he will be assigned. He has just completed a special course at Cincinnati." This likely is John Clifford Miller, the son of David and Charlotte Miller.  Miller married Doris McIntyre and lived until the age of 96, dying in Schenectady in 1986.  He is buried in Bovina.

 

113 years ago today, on April 15, 1910, Mrs. John G. Thomson died at her home in Bovina from an aneurysm of the abdominal aorta at the age of 72.  As later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Her maiden name was Anna White and she was born and had always lived in Bovina." Her husband survived her by more than a decade, dying in 1921.

 

Eighty-one years ago today, the Andes column of the Delaware Republican for April 16, 1942 had this item about a Bovina resident: "Alen(sic) Johnson of Bovina, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Johnson, who has been in the aviation branch of the U.S.A. for over two years, made his first trip home last week for a very few days. He has been stationed at Panama and is now going to a field in Texas to become a flying cadet. We are not privileged to have only a few minutes interview with him but find him looking fine but very dark complexion from the sun and climate of Panama. Due to his short stay at home he was unable to give us a history of his past two years but promises to write from Texas and will then be able to perhaps give the readers more of a description of his past two years." Johnson later became even more newsworthy when he was shot down over France and managed to escape imprisonment.  See the Bovina NY History blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2017/06/faces-of-bovina-adventures-of-allan.html for more about this story.

 

127 years ago today, April 17, 1896, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "The thermometer registered over eighty in the shade…  How is that for April weather."

 

141 years ago today, the April 18, 1882 issue of the Stamford Mirror reported that "Jehiel Dibble, at the 'Hook' sent us last Saturday a pullet's egg that measured 7 x 8 1/2 inches, the weight of which was nearly 4 1/2 ounces."

 

Ninety-five years ago today, the April 19, 1928 Stamford Mirror-Recorder reported on elections held for the Bovina Center fire company. 

 

Seventy-nine years ago today, the Bovina column of the April 20, 1944 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "The 4-H held a bake sale last week with Miss Marian McPherson in charge of it." The same column reported that "Cpl. Leonard Archibald is enjoying a furlough with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. A.T. Archibald."

 

112 years ago today, the April 21, 1911 Andes Recorder's Bovina column reported that "for some time the machinery at the Dry Milk plant has been causing considerable trouble, and a machinist is now here from Philadelphia to put it in working order."

 

121 years ago, a musical entertainment was scheduled at Strangeway's Hall.  The Andes Recorder reported that on Tuesday eve., April 22[, 1902] there will be a musical and literary entertainment in Strangeway’s Hall, given by the Fortnightly Club and its friends.  There will be music by the children, Phonograph, quartets, choruses and by Zobo band.  There will be also recitations and a pantomime presentation of 'Hiawatha’s Wooing.'  This is the last entertainment of the season and a cordial invitation is given to all."

 

Eighty-three years ago today, on April 23, 1940, Elizabeth Fowler McNair died in Binghamton. The Catskill Mountain News reported that "she was 86 years of age, the widow of the late Peter McNair." The paper went on to note that "she has many friends here who extend to the family their sympathy to the loss of a good mother and friend."

 

151 years ago today, the April 24, 1872 Delaware Gazette carried this item: "We learn that Mr. Elliott, of Bovina, whose store and goods were consumed by fire on the night of the 9th inst., was in embarrassed circumstances, and has since absconded; and it has come to light that he has been using the names of some friends rather freely. Forgeries to the amount of $3,000 have been discovered. Alexander Kinmonth and Andrew Gladstone are the principal victims. It is now quite clear how the store came to burn. Mr. Elliott is a former Supervisor of Bovina." This is James Elliott, Jr. Interestingly, Alexander Kinmouth was his father-in-law. He does appear to have left the area, settling in Chicago, where he died in 1896.

 

148 years ago today, on April 25, 1875, Lester T. Hoy was born. The son of Thomas Hoy and Julia Tuttle Hoy, he would die in 1897 at the age of 22. When his brother William's wife had her third child, a son, in 1899, he would be named for his deceased uncle. This Lester lived in Bovina in what is now Tim and Tamara McIntosh's home. He died in 1978.  

 

Sixty years ago today, on April 26, 1963, Robert Russell Boggs 3rd was born in Georgia. When later reported in the Delaware Republic Express, the paper noted that his father "Robert is a former Bovina boy and has just been away from Bovina about two years."

 

Fifty years ago today, on April 27, 1973, I reported in my journal the delivery of my dad's new tractor. This likely was the tractor that was in the Bovina Bicentennial parade last summer.

 

112 years ago today, the April 28, 1911 Andes Recorder Bovina column reported that "The surveyors are at work making the survey for a State road from the Turnpike up to and thru the Center. The preliminary survey was made in 1909, and the present survey is for the setting of grade stakes and defining of limits of highway so that the contractors may submit bids."

 

125 years ago today, April 29, 1898, readers of the Bovina column of the Andes Recorder learned that "The United Presbyterian church is to be recarpeted. It takes 260 yards." The same column also reported that "Several of our farmers have their oats sown and a few have some potatoes in."

 

Sixty-eight years ago today, on April 30, 1955, the Bovina Fire Department Ladies Auxiliary held a bake sale and skating party. The Catskill Mountain News reported that thirty-five dollars was realized from the sale. The money was given to the Red Cross blood bank at Delhi.

 

 

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Bovina Bicentennial Art Project, part 2

 

As part of the Town of Bovina’s Bicentennial Celebration, Brooke Alderson enlisted a group of ten local artists to create paintings of Bovina Landmarks. The artists were invited to paint their own interpretations of photographs of different Bovina buildings that are no longer in existence or have been altered. The resulting ten paintings were mounted on easels by Brooke and Scott Hill and were displayed throughout the hamlet during the Celebration at the site where the original structure stood (or still stands).

Over the next few months, I will be doing a series of entries highlighting the buildings and the paintings. The paintings are on display at the Bovina Public Library, where you can order prints of any that catch your fancy for $80, all proceeds going to the library. And stay tuned for an auction of the original works being planned for this fall. 

Kennedy Hotel, painted by Sandra Finkenberg

The History

It is not clear when this house was built but it was owned by Rev. Joshua Kennedy, pastor of the Bovina Reformed Presbyterian Church in the late 1860s. It was used as a boarding house for many years. George Gladstone owned from 1904 until 1919 when it was bought by John Aitkens in the 1920s. 

The building in 1947, when it became the Center Inn.

From the May 16, 1947 Walton Reporter

In May 1947, Edward Burton Cornell and his wife Ethel opened a restaurant and bar in the building, calling it the Center Inn. The Cornells were experienced restauranteurs. People were attracted to the inn not only by the bar but by the food. 

But the bar became an issue almost immediately, spurring an effort by citizens in the town to vote for Bovina to become a dry town. The Center Inn caused problems with traffic in the hamlet. And some families simply didn’t like having it there, seeing it as a distraction for husbands and fathers. When Delhi debated whether to stay dry in the 1940s, the example of Bovina’s situation was brought up. “A prominent Bovina man told me that the residents of Bovina Center are thoroughly ‘fed up’ with conditions created by the recent advent of the saloon there… Pleasure cars, trucks and old jalopies bring customers to the Bovina bar, filling the limited parking space nearby, causing traffic congestion and confusion; children are seen going in and out of the place, and the noise continues until late at night.” 

The local option to go dry passed in November 1947 by a two to one margin. Cornell had until about the fall of 1948 before he had to stop the sale of alcohol. He sold the contents in October of that year. The building became derelict and was demolished in December 1960.

Photo by George LaFever, December 1960

More about this vote in 1947 may be found at this blog at: Bovina (NY) History: Bovina, Wet or Dry? - Part II (bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com)

The Artist

Sandra Finkenberg studied at the Carnegie Mellon School of Art in Pittsburgh and the Art Students League in New York. She has received numerous awards including 2nd place at the Catherine Lorillard Wolfe Art Club (2003), Best of Show Cooperstown Regional(1997), and Best of Show and 2nd Place, UCCA  Oneonta (now CANO) (1993 and 1992 respectively). 

“My thoughts in painting The Kennedy Hotel: Nothing is permanent but what sticks in memory. My youth was marked by many changes spanning the country. By selling my art and living in Manhattan with my husband and 6 children we managed to stake out the old Chase farm in Bovina. Though I had no history in this Delaware County, its simple style evokes the lives of both grandparents who were rooted in Chemung and Cayuga Counties. Sometimes I find myself checking for accuracy with those soft old memories passed away yet mysteriously passed down.”

April 1923 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

 

A century ago, this is what was happening in Bovina from the pages of the Andes Recorder:

April 6, 1923

• Frank VanDusen was a Margaretville visitor this week.

• Mrs. John Aitkens visited her dauter at Pepacton last week.

• Miss Marjorie Forman, of Delhi, is visiting Bovina relatives.

• Mrs. Robert R. Gladstone was given a postal shower this week.

• Mrs. Ralph Barnhart spent over Easter with her mother at Jefferson.

• John W. Elliott visited friends last week at his former home at New Kingston.

• Miss Emily Archibald is home from Elmira and Miss Jane Hilson from East Orange, N.J.

• Mrs. Marshall Thomson, of Glen Spey, N.Y., is visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Blair.

• William Armstrong was at Walton recently, called there by the illness of his father, F.C. Armstrong. 

• Bovina is to have a new Linn Caterpillar tractor.  The town is allowed $800 for the old tractor in the deal.

• Rev. Franklin Collins, pastor of the U.P. church at Bloomfield, Ohio, was a recent guest at the home of Rev. F.N. Crawford.

• Tuesday at the annual meeting of the United Presbyterian congregation John Burns and Alex Thomson were elected trustees.

• Communion services were held last Sabbath at the United Presbyterian church. There were three accessions to the membership.

• The young ladies missionary society has contributed the sum of $50 toward the current expenses of the United Presbyterian church.

• Charles J. Russell has purchased the stock of goods in the Co-operative store at Delhi and rented the building and will soon move there and conduct the business.

• The making of cheese at the Bovina Center Co-Operative Creamery has been discontinued.  Isador Berschevsky and Walter Ware, who have been the cheese makers, have gone to Ashland, N.Y.

• J.K. Russell, Mrs. Jas W. Thomson, and Mr. and Mrs. George Russell attended the funeral of Mrs. (Dr.) R. S. Moscrip at Oneonta last Friday. Her maiden name was Mary Russell and she was born in upper Bovina 47 years ago. 

• The dry milk plant of the Bovina Center Co-operative Creamery is now in operation.  The company is experimenting in the making of cocoa which only requires the addition of hot water to make it ready for use.  One sample shipment has been made.

Appointed Patrolman

Howard McPherson, of Bovina, has been appointed patrolman for the Andes-Delhi and the Bovina State roads. He has had lots of experience, having for twelve years been town superintendent of highways in Bovina.

Building a House

Frank Graham, back from Lake Delaware, has commenced excavating the cellar for his new farm residence.  Charles A. Lee will be the carpenter in charge of the building.  Mr. Graham is fortunate enough to have gotten the great part of the lumber from his own woods.

April 13, 1923

• Bovina real estate transfers recorded are Martha Kelly to Arthur E. Hadley $474.10.

• James E. Hastings, one of our oldest citizens, is confined to his bed with stomach trouble.

• Rev. F.N. Crawford and Elder Thos C. Strangeway attended the spring meeting of Delaware Presbytery held at Delancey on Monday and Tuesday. 

• A son was born April 3, to Mr. and Mrs. Clifford McMullin on the Little Delaware.  The father is a grandson of the late Gilbert Jardine of this town.

• Archibald Scott Maynard, grandson of the late Archive Maynard of Bovina, and Miss Mary Kathleen Tuttle were married at Utica, March 21, by Rev. Peter McKenzie. Both reside at Canastota.

• The remains of Mrs. Judson Borst, who died April 6, at the home of her son on Peak’s Brook, were brought here Monday for burial. She will be remembered as Nancy McCune, being a daughter of James McCune, and she was born just below Lake Delaware 49 years ago. 

• George Forman, who lives on the Luddington farm above Lake Delaware is exhibiting a teacher’s certificate issued to his mother, then  Georgia Ida Brandow, on September 26, 1874, and signed by George D. Ostrom and Amasa J. Shaver, the then school commissioners of the county.  She was a daughter of the late Abram Brandow and has been dead for many years.

Bovina Farmer in Bankruptcy

William S. Redman, a farmer of Bovina has filed a petition in bankruptcy in federal court through Attorney Edward O’Connor of Delhi, showing liabilities of $33,927, of which $31,908 are secured, and assets of $27,000, of which William H. Maynard has an equity in a farm of 359 acres valued at $25,000.  Maynard, residing at Canastota, has a mortgage on the farm for $27,227 and is unsecured for $600.  The Federal Land bank has a first mortgage for $8,700 and Samuel F. Penfield is secured for $5,980.  Other creditors including Ralph Chaney, $200, and Reed Chaney, $100, wage claims.  The first National bank of Dryden claims $450 and Frank Hatch of Granton, $390.

April 20, 1923

• Arthur Decker is now driving a new Buick.

• John Hilson was at the County Seat on Friday.

• Mrs. Mary J. Gill, of Andes, was here last Friday with a choice line of millinery.

• John Northrup, on the Hoy farm, is confined to his home from the effects of a rupture.

• Stephen Guzmits, who has been on the William Ward farm up Pink street will move to Pennsylvania.

• Walter G. Coulter, town superintendent of highways, has commenced the scraping of the town roads.

• About twenty-five young people made Misses Edna and Edith Russell a surprise party Friday evening.

• Miss Mabel Fiero, of Bainbridge, and cousin, Mrs. Robert Hunt, of Delhi, were callers in town Saturday evening.

• The Margaret Hoy house in the upper part of Bovina Center has been purchased by Miss Jennie Biggar. The price was $600. 

• George Johnson and family, who have spent the winter, with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J. Johnson, have returned to their home in Alberta.

• William Storie purchased seven fine thorobred Jersey cows from his father-in-law, Douglas Davidson, and had them tuberculin tested. Every cow reacted.

• The town will erect a building 30 x 64 feet on what is known as the Burns lot in the lower part of Bovina Center. It will be used for the storing of the road machinery of the town. 

• Mrs. Stephen Guzmits was badly shaken up a few days ago by being thrown from a wagon. The front wheel of the wagon dropped into a hole in the road and she was thrown over the dashboard and landed behind the horses, which were stopped before the wheel passed over her. 

April 27, 1923

• Mrs. Ella Telford was up from Delhi Friday.

• C.S. Gladstone was at the County Seat on Tuesday.

• Rev. McFeeters is preaching at the Church of the Covenanters.

• Mr. and Mrs. Gideon Miller and two sons, of Hamden, were here on Sabbath.

• Harry Robinson has been making changes on the interior of his residence.

• Mr. and Mrs. George H. Miller and Mrs. G.D. Miller were Delhi callers Friday.

• Mrs. F.W. Hyatt, Miss Grace Hyatt and Mrs. Joslin motored to Delhi on Tuesday.

• Peter Robson and family spent the day Wednesday with relatives in New Kingston.

• Miss Knox, who teaches up Pink street, spent over week end at C.S. Gladstone’s. 

• George H. Miller will have a bath room installed in his residence and is also putting on a new roof.

• Joe Ross, of Davenport, who was boss when the water works was put in, is here working on the town highways.

• Mrs. William S. Boggs, Mrs. Alex Myers, Mrs. William Armstrong, Mrs. George Decker and Mrs. Arthur Decker were Delhi Shoppers last Thursday. 

• A meeting is to be held at the R.P. church at which time the trial sermons of David Russell, of Glenburnie, and William Doig, of Walton, will be heard. 

• Professor and Mrs. Leon Taggart and children, of Oneonta, spent several days last week with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Thos C. Strangeway. He is an instructor in the Normal School.

This Day in Bovina for March 2023

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

Twenty-eight years ago today, the March 1, 1995 Walton Reporter carried this Bovina column by Ann Cairns.

118 years ago, on March 2, 1905, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "…it was 14 below zero."

101 years ago today, on March 3, 1922, "The Hamden Club" presented a "farce comedy in three acts" in Bovina Center. Bovina didn't have an opera house - they likely meant Strangeways Hall. And I'm still trying to figure out what "The Hamden Club" was, though the players (except for Bostwick Hume) are on the 1920 census for Hamden.

127 years ago today, on the evening of March 4, 1896, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, while "Alexander Forrest and lady were coming home from Andes the horse upset them in some way and ran away. It was caught at the Centre and put in Hilson and Blair’s sheds.  Mr. Forrest hired someone to take them home and when he arrived, he found the horse had not yet put in its appearance, and he had to go back and hunt for it."

201 years ago today, on March 5, 1822, Francis Coulter signed this oath of office as a commissioner of highway before Town Justice Elisha B. Maynard. Note that he signed his name as Francis Coltert. His name went through several variations, having been born with Coltherd as his last name. Coulter died in 1846. 1822-03-5 F Coltert Comm hgy

Fifty years ago today, the March 6, 1963, Oneonta Start published this article about the impending demolition of Angelica Gerry's mansion at Lake Delaware. 

Eighty-three years ago today, on March 7, 1940, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Delaware Republican, "Mr. and Mrs. Delbert Dickson entertained at dinner …Mr. and Mrs. Fred Thomson, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Decker, and Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Burgin."

Eight-eight years ago today, on the March 8, 1935 Walton Reporter carried this Bovina column:

137 years ago today, the March 9, 1886 Bovina column of the Stamford Mirror reported that "preparations are being made for the opening of a new Street near Hastings store." It is not really clear what road is meant. It could be a reference to Maple Avenue, which was established around 1893.

100 years ago today, the Bovina column in the March 10, 1923 Walton Reporter reported that "Miss Edith Liddle ran a heavy, splinter under the nail of the middle finger of her left hand on the last Sabbath of February. She thought she had it all out but a swelling, bloodshot forearm that sickened her made the return from her school on the following Wednesday evening a task. Dr. Ormiston dressed it on Wednesday evening and on Monday, Mar. 5th. she was permitted to return to her school work. Some little things make big trouble." I think this Edith was the daughter of Alexander Liddle. He died in 1920 in Manhattan, where the family was living. It appears Edith came to Bovina, possibly to live with her grandparents, David and Margaret Liddle. By 1925, she was in Oneonta with her mother and step father but by the end of that year, she was married to Leonard Hall. She spent much of her life in Delhi. She died in Florida in November 1983.

109 years ago today, the Bovina column of the Andes Recorder for March 11, 1910, reported that "Mrs. Frank A. Russell has received from the Pittsburg Life and Trust Co., $1,000 in payment of policy held by her late husband." Frank had died at end of January, leaving his widow, the former Adalaid Coulter, and three children, sons Millard (aged 12), Arthur (aged 9) and Ernie (aged 5). Addie was remarried in 1924 to Thomas Cowan but was widowed again two years later. She died in 1951.

111 Years ago today, March 12, 1912, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "The town board held a meeting… to consider the question of leasing a stone crusher, but no decision was reached." The board met again the following week and voted to lease the crusher, but had yet to decide what kind. On April 9, they made the decision and signed the contract.

162 years ago today, on March 13, 1861, this order was issued to pay William H. Fish "on account of wages earned by him duly qualified as a teacher in district No. Eight…" He taught from November 13, 1860 to the March 13, 1861. The order is signed by John Raitt, Jr. John L. Wight and H.S. Grant. District eight was on Biggar Hollow and was a joint district with the Town of Andes. 

138 years ago today, March 14, 1885, the "reading room in Brushland" was opened. As later reported in the Stamford Mirror, the paper further noted that "Arrangements will then be made to have the regular evenings when the room will be open thereafter." It is not clear where this was located, but likely was in the UP Church basement.

146 years ago today, Walter Coulter, who grew up in Bovina and later settled in Walton, wrote the following in his diary for March 15, 1877: "This has been a cold blustery windy day. I went to Bovina to day. It was a cold long ride. I went to Brother Jims to night. I forded the river at the Hook. I stopped at Hamden. 1877"

Thirty years ago today, the March 16, 1993 Delaware County Times carried this article about the Bovina Center Library: 

Seventy-three years ago today, the March 17, 1950 Catskill Mountain News carried the obituary for Paul Rosa, who died suddenly on March 10 of a heart attack: 

102 years ago today, the March 18, 1921 Bovina column of the Andes Recorder reported that "George Miller has received word that the remains of his son, Clark Miller, who was killed in action in France are enroute to Bovina." He was buried at the end of the month in Bovina. In August 1918, his picture appeared in the New York Tribune, far right second row. His picture appeared on the same tribute page with the son of former President Theodore Roosevelt, who was another fatality of the war. 

Twenty-six years ago today, the March 19, 1997 Walton Reporter carried this article about a gardening presentation sponsored by the Bovina Historical Society: 

The Delaware Republican March 20, 1880 edition from 143 years ago reported that "Thomas Johnston, of Bovina, was running his feed mill at a very high pressure, the cogs on the bevel gearing of the main shaft were completely stripped and the report was heard half a mile distant."

104 years ago today, the March 21, 1919 issue of the Otsego Farmer reported that "A plucky Bovina woman, Mrs. J. W. Thomson, waded into an icy stream a few days ago and rescued a five-year-old boy from drowning. Little Robert Hunt, while coasting, ran off a bridge and fell into the stream, eight feet below. The current was carrying the boy down stream when Mrs. Thomson jumped into the stream and rescued him.

184 years ago today, on March 22, 1839, Jane Murray, the seven-year-old daughter of John Murray and Jennet Scott, died. At the time of her death, she had five siblings. John and Jennet went on to have five more children, most of whom survived to adulthood.

129 years ago today, the March 23, 1894 Bovina column of the Andes Recorder reported that "George E. Gladstone is preparing to build a house on the new street." George built a number of houses in Bovina, in partnership with James L. Coulter. It appears that this particular house was one he built for himself. It was completed in the late spring of 1894. For many years, it was the home of Marvin and Eleanor Archibald. More about Gladstone and Coulter is on the Bovina NY History Blog at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2016/05/coulter-and-gladstone-builders.html

118 years ago, on March 24, 1905, this letter was written by Charles H. Betts in Albany, addressed to Bovina Town Supervisor John Irvine, concerning the town's refusal to accept highway manuals delivered to them. This brief letter explains that the town must accept and pay for these manuals, pursuant to Chapter 536 of the laws of 1904. The referenced 'circular' letter is a form letter which explains it in more detail, noting that "if the Town Board concludes to defy the act of the State Legislature,….then it must do so at its peril." The form letter threatens legal action if the books are not accepted, and payment is not made. The fact that there was a form letter tells us that Bovina was not the only town to refuse them. 

121 years ago today, on the evening of March 25, 1902, a "warm sugar social" was held at the home of David "Champ" Worden, the first farm up what is now Reinertsen Road. The event was held "under the auspices of the Ladies Aid Society." Admission was 15 cents.

132 years ago, the March 26, 1891 Bovina column of the Andes Recorder reported that "The snow is gone. The mud has come."

Eighty-three years ago today on March 27, 1940, as later reported in the Delaware Republican, "Friends of Mr. and Mrs. Lester Hoy gave them a surprise party…., it being their twentieth anniversary."

Ninety-three years ago today, the Andes Recorder for March 28, 1930, reported the death of David LaFever, the 15-month-old son of Benson and Anna Bell LaFever on March 24. The paper went on to note that “Mrs. LaFever has been bereft of her sister, Mrs. James Boggs, and mother, Mrs. Kate Barnhart, just recently, and a niece, Grace Boggs, passed away last December.  Mr. and Mrs. LaFever have one other child, a four-year-old son, Howard, who is recovering from an attack of bronchitis.” This picture of David was taken only a couple of weeks before his death. My grandmother thought he might have caught the illness that killed him while at the photo studio, where there was another child with a cold. 

136 years ago today, the March 29, 1887 issue of the Stamford Mirror had the following item: “The Great West. - We are indebted to John P. Atkin, of Jetmore, Kansas, for an illustrated 'Handbook of Hodgeman County, Kansas.' Mr. Atkin left Bovina, Delaware Co., N.Y. in 1882, and has been County Clerk for one term and is now cashier of the Hodgeman County Bank, at Jetmore. He is fast growing up with the county, which requires Delaware County boys to make it boom. We wish to hear from every Delaware County man, who has gone from us to seek his fortune." This John Atkin probably is the grandson of Isaac Atkin, an early settler of Bovina.

127 years ago today, on March 30, 1896, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "John P. Dennis tapped his sugar bush Monday, and others are busy at work in their camps."

It was fifty years ago today, March 31, 1973, that the Bovina Center Cooperative Dairy (aka the Bovina Creamery) saw its last day of operation. Betty Elliott had the presence of mind to follow her husband's last load of milk to the creamery and took several pictures. They can be seen at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2012/01/last-load-at-bovina-center-coop.html

Bovina Bicentennial Art Project, part 1

 

As part of the Town of Bovina’s Bicentennial Celebration, Brooke Alderson enlisted a group of ten local artists to create paintings of Bovina Landmarks. The artists were invited to paint their own interpretations of photographs of different Bovina buildings that are no longer in existence or have been altered. The resulting ten paintings were mounted on easels by Brooke and Scott Hill and were displayed throughout the hamlet during the Celebration at the site where the original structure stood (or still stands).

Over the next few months, I will be doing a series of entries highlighting the buildings and the paintings. The paintings are on display at the Bovina Public Library, where you can order prints of any that catch your fancy for $80, all proceeds going to the library. And stay tuned for an auction of the original works being planned for this fall. 

The Library thanks all the artists: Michael Frank Casey, Timothy Ashton Cunningham, Sandra Finkenberg, Lizbeth Fermin, Lori Glavin, Scott Hill, Gary Mayer, Richard Kirk Mills, Antonio Mora, and Cornelis Verlaan for allowing their wonderful paintings to be displayed at the Library, and reproduced both in this booklet and as individual full size prints. Special thanks also goes to Torkil Stavdal for photographing the paintings.

The entries will be presented in geographic order, with one building featured each month through November. 

Strangeway’s Store, painted by Antonia Mora

History

A store has stood on the site of what later became Strangeway’s since at least the 1850s. In the 1860s, it was owned by James Elliott and included the post office. On April 10, 1872, the building burned down. There was insurance of about $500 on the building and $2,000 on the goods. Andrew Strangeway reported in his diary that the store “was consumed to ashes in about 1 hour.”

A couple of weeks later, the April 24, 1872 Delaware Gazette called into question how the fire started: "We learn that Mr. Elliott, of Bovina, whose store and goods were consumed by fire on the night of the 9th inst., was in embarrassed circumstances, and has since absconded; and it has come to light that he has been using the names of some friends rather freely. Forgeries to the amount of $3,000 have been discovered. Alexander Kinmonth and Andrew Gladstone are the principal victims. It is now quite clear how the store came to burn. Mr. Elliott is a former Supervisor of Bovina." Interestingly, Alexander Kinmouth was James’ father-in-law. Elliott left the area permanently, settling in Chicago, where he died in 1896.

From Munsell's 1880 History of Delaware County

Undated image from late 19th/early 20th century

A new store was built in 1874 by Andrew T. Strangeway. Born in Bovina in 1839, Strangeway was a businessman early in his adult life. In the 1860s, he was selling Thayers Iron Mower to farmers as the agent for Delaware County. For several years, he partnered with John Hilson in operating what later was Hilson’s store. They dissolved the partnership in 1872 and two years later Strangeway built his store. 

The store was barely open when it was burgled, with “about $30 in money and $50 worth of goods, consisting of gloves, boots and shoes, etc taken.” Strangeway had interests in selling a wide range of products over the years. He sold something called “Bradley’s Superphosphate of Lime.” The ad in the Delaware Gazette in May 1875 noted that it was “A Powerful Manure.” As communication technology progress, Strangeway’s store became the home for the telegraph office in Bovina Center and, in 1895, it became the telephone office. 

In another business venture, Strangeway built onto the back of his store a hall in 1888. One of his competitors, John Hastings, who had what is now Russell’s Store, built a hall at the same time (though not attached to his store but somewhere behind it). The October 4, 1888 Hobart Independent reported this, noting that “Opposition is the life of business.” Strangeway’s Hall was used for annual town meetings and other public events until the Bovina Community Hall was built in 1930. 

Andrew operated the store until his death. In May 1907, he went to Rome, NY to have a growth on his lip removed, but the Andes Recorder noted that he also had heart issues. Though the procedure to remove the growth was successful it put too much of a strain on his body and he died only a few days after returning home. Several auctions took place over the next year to liquidate the store contents. 

This postcard probably dates from the 1910s.

Clayt Thomas' garage in August 1953 after the flood that hit the town. Photo by Bob Wyer.

The store had several owners after Strangeway’s death in 1907, including at one point his two competitors – John Hilson and A.T. Doig.  The building was sold to Arthur Hillis in late 1923 and was converted into a garage. He sold the business to Kenneth Kaufman in 1927. Clayton Thomas bought the garage business in 1936 and ran it until his retirement in 1970. Wayne Gallant had the garage for a decade, starting in 1974. Heinz Berneke ran Bovina Motor Works from the garage for several years.  Current owner Tom Hetterich has put a lot of work into renovating the building, including Strangeway’s Hall.  

The Artist

After studying fine art at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York, Antonio Mora amassed over twenty-five years’ experience in restaurant kitchens including such well known eateries as Restaurant Daniel in New York and Avenue in Long Branch, New Jersey, earning a two star review from the New York Times and a rave from Gourmet. His education in color relationships, form, line, perspective and theory has given him a solid base on which to build his skills as a cook and chef, and his food is as balanced and beautiful as it is delicious.

In the wake of the disruptive global pandemic, Mora left the city and worked with Sohail Zandi at Brushland Eating House and Russell’s General Store in the western Catskill Mountains of New York. He remains active as an illustrator, creating commercial labels and fine art prints.

March 1923 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

 

From the pages of the Andes Recorder 100 years ago this month.

March 2, 1923

• Mrs. Robert R. Gladstone is under the doctor’s care.  Mrs. Russell is the nurse. [Mrs. Gladstone was born Margaret Thomson. She survived this illness and died five years later in 1928.]

• The Dry Milk Plant in connection with the Bovina Center Co-Operative Creamery will open for business about April 1.

• The road from Bovina to Delhi was opened up Wednesday [Feb 28] for trucks, after having been closed for anything but sleighs for about two weeks.

March 9, 1923

• Clarence Brown and Jason Whipple, who have been on the Thos H. Johnson’s farm, will leave it about the middle of the month.

• Miss Margaret Hoy, one of the oldest residents of Bovina, died on Sabbath, March 4, at the home of her nephew, Arthur Hoy, where she had lived since her health failed a year or so ago, so that she could not live alone.  She was the last of her generation and was born in Bovina 85 years ago, and had always resided in the town.  The funeral was held Tuesday afternoon, from the United Presbyterian church, of which she was one of the oldest members.

March 16, 1923

• Mrs. Robert R. Gladstone is improving very slowly.

• Barrels are being received every day from the Dry Milk plant.

• The Bovina Water Company has declared a dividend of 5 percent.

• Clarence LaFever has returned from Long Island, where he went last August.

• The new switchboard for the Bovina Center telephone office arrived this week.

• G.D. Miller, who has been housed up as the result of a fall, is able to be out again.

• A woman representative of the Delaware County Home Bureau was here Tuesday.

• Cecil Russell is still unable to attend to his store duties.  John McCune is assisting in the store.

• Sloan Archibald and his wife and Mrs. Douglas Davidson spent Monday with their aunt, Miss Jennie Miller who is a “shut in” at the Butt End.

• John Burns visited bonesetter Sweet at Oneonta last week and his knee was put in better condition and four toes on the same leg put into place.

• Fred Johnson, who is helpless from a shock, was taken to the home of John Taylor at the foot of Elk Creek, Monday, in order that he may be more easily cared for.

March 23, 1923

• Mrs. Ganger, who was called to Columbus, Ohio, recently by the serious illness of her brother, returned home last week.

• The body of John T. Doig, formerly of Andes, who died at Detroit, Michigan, was brought here the first of the week and put in the vault.  The funeral services and burial will be held at a later date.

• Alex Wilber, of Arena, who had since the death of his wife last fall had lived at Everett DeSilva’s in upper Bovina, died March 9.  Early in February he went to Arena on a visit and was soon afterwards taken ill with a cold and pneumonia followed.  His age was 78 years.

March 30, 1923

• Lauren Dickson is home from Yale law school for Easter vacation.

• Town Superintendent Coulter and a force of men have been making the town highways passable for wagons.

• Miss Knox, who teaches up Pink street, is having a vacation of three weeks which she is spending at her home in Walton.

• David F. Hoy, registrar of Cornell University, was a recent guest of his sisters, Mrs. Douglas Davidson and Mrs. Sloan Archibald.

• Mr. and Mrs. Marry Robson will move back to Bovina Center from Frasers, April 1st.  He will be employed at the New Andes Creamery, Inc. at Andes.

This Day in Bovina for February 2023

 

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

Seventy-three years ago today, the February 1, 1950 New York Times carried this obituary of Bovina native William A. Miller, who was noted as a stage coach driver in Delaware County in the 1880s and 1890s. 

Ninety-five years ago today, on February 2, 1928, an alert Ruth Coulter saw a light in the village school building and discovered that the building was on fire.  As later reported in the Andes Recorder, "The fire department was called out and the fire was put out by the use of chemicals and very little water with only slight damage. It started from the furnace."  The building concerned is now the Bovina Public Library.  Ruth Coulter later married Bill Parsons.

Seventy-nine years ago today, the Bovina Center column of the February 3, 1944 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "the Harvey Burgins have a new floor in their dining room." The same column also reported that "Mrs. Lillian Hafele is now living in her new home, the former Jennie Archibald house."

Fifty-eight years ago today, the February 4, 1965 issue of the Delaware Republican-Express reported in its Bovina column "Due to the closing of the New Kingston Creamery, four dairies have already brought their milk to the Bovina Creamery, Marvin Hosier, Bill Elliott, David Condon and a Mr. Walters…."

Two farm related items from the Andes Recorder appeared 126 years ago today in its Bovina column for February 5, 1897: 

"Cows averaged $22.80 at Thomas Gordon’s auction last week Thursday, in Glenburnie, and everything else sold well.

"Many think that the grasshoppers working on the hay and straw the past season, is the cause of so much sickness among cows and horses here this winter."

Ninety-seven years ago today, the February 6, 1926 Walton Reporter, reported: "Delhi friends of Sloan Archibald of Bovina Center are glad to learn that he is able to get about his home a little now after being confined to bed for a number of weeks due to fracturing one of his hips by a fall. Mr. Archibald is advanced in years, but his strong constitution seems to be bringing him through in good shape. He is the father of Russell Archibald of the Archibald garage of this village." Sloan died in December 1928 in Bovina.

121 years ago, in its February 7, 1902 edition, the Andes Recorder reported on a letter from a Bovina resident who was in Seattle:  "Writing from Seattle, Miss Jennie J. Campbell, who recently went from this place, likes the place very much and her letter, written about the middle of January, states that the climate is mild and at that time the weather was like our April.  Lawns were green and roses and violets were in bloom."

Seventy-two years ago today, the Bovina column in the Delaware Republican-Express for February 8, 1951 reported "Mr. and Mrs. Clifford Gibson, who have been living in rooms over the [Clayton] Thomas garage, moved to Andes. Mr. and Mrs. Roy Knaff and family, who have been living in the old hotel moved into the rooms vacated by the Gibsons." The old hotel probably was the building that stood kitty corner from Brushland Eating House and was demolished in 1960.

117 years ago, on February 9, 1906, Dr. L.L. Van Slyke, of the [New York] State [Agricultural] Experiment Station, Geneva, NY lectured in Strangeway’s Hall.  His topic was the “Utilization of Barnyard Waste.”  The Andes Recorder, in promoting the lecture, reported that “The Doctor is under the Bureau of Farmers’ Institutes of the State Agricultural Department.  He will tell how to enlarge the bank account.  He is an interesting speaker and his address will both please and profit.” Dr. Van Slyke worked for the Geneva station for 38 years, retiring in 1929.

Ninety-five years ago, the Andes Recorder of February 10, 1928 reported that "Courtney Currie was kept from his work at the creamery a few days the past week by boils."

137 years ago today, on February 11, 1886, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror, "The household goods of John Shanks, wagon maker, late of New Kingston, arrived in Brushland on Thursday, the 11th inst., and he will occupy the rooms, and carry on the business, in the shop lately occupied by J. Dietrich."

121 years ago today, on February 12, 1902, Fort-nightly Club lecture course hosted a lecture by Professor William Elliott Travis of Cornell University at Strangeway’s Hall. His subject was “Facts Fun and Fancy Concerning the Japanese.”

Fifty-four years ago today, on February 13, 1965, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Delaware Republican Express, "Mr. and Mrs. Fletcher Davidson and Mrs. William Storie attended the meeting of the Delaware County Historical Association at Roxbury…On their way home they called on Mr. and Mrs. Frank Miller at Stamford and found them in good health." The Millers used to live in Bovina in what is known as the Charlie and Eva McIntosh house.

135 years ago today, the Bovina column in the February 14, 1888 Stamford Mirror reported "A spelling school in the Pink Street District…attracted a large number of the young people, one sleigh load containing 19 persons going up from Bovina Center."

159 years ago today, on February 15, 1864, John Murray signed this oath of officer as overseer of the poor. 

101 years ago today, on February 16, 1922, Calvin Russell's team of horses got away from him. The Andes Recorder reported that "The team of Calvin Russell took fright at the creamery Thursday morning and had a lively run.  Coming onto Main street the team ran in at the Hastings feed store and onto the flat above the new street.  Continuing up the flat they went over the wall into a rocky pasture lot of Fred Bramley and were not caught until they reached Bramley’s.  No damage was done and not even the milk cans were thrown out.  How they avoided all the rocks is a miracle."

112 years ago today, on February 17, 1911, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "The infant child of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Foreman, aged three months and four days, died with pneumonia... Rev. Robb officiated at the funeral Monday.  Child was their only daughter, Mary Elizabeth." The Foremans had three sons at the time of their daughter's death and would have two more after.

Eight-two years ago today, on February 18, 1941, as later reported in the Delaware Express, "Mrs. William J. Archibald and Miss Emily Archibald received medical advice in New York….They and Henry Monroe made the trip with the Rev. Harvey H. McClellan. Mr. Monroe visited an uncle in the Bronx."

Ninety-two years ago today, the Bovina column of the February 19, 1930 Delaware Republican reported "The two large smoke stacks on the Dry Milk Plant were raised….George Flowers of Hobart was in charge. They are putting in a new dry pan this week." Here's an undated photo of the creamery showing the smoke stacks. 

Forty-eight years ago today, The February 20, 1975 Delaware Republican-Express had as a front page story entitled "Bovina's Country Cupboard: Reflective of Community." The article reported on the Bovina Historical Society's cookbook, entitled Bovina's Country Cupboard. The article included this photograph of some of the committee members, namely, Ann Finn, Marjorie Russell, Marie Burns and Barbara Hilson. The committee also included Bea Thomson.

Sixty-five years ago today, the Bovina column of the February 21, 1958 Walton Reporter included this item: "An epidemic of real measles struck town. Some of the known families, who have from one to three children, are Milton Graham, Willard Chase, John Renner, Howard Conklin, the Hewitt boys of Mr. and Mrs. Imar Mondor and four children of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Barnhart." In the same column, several cancellations were announced, mainly due to bad roads and severe weather, including the Recreation Club and the Lake Delaware Demonstration unit. "Gene Vandenbord, director of the Bovina church choir, announces there will be no choir practice this week."

Seventy-eight years ago today, on February 22, 1945, Ethel DeSilva sent this V Postcard to her friend Marjorie Russell in Bovina. Ethel had enlisted in December 1944 as a WAVE in the Navy. She was discharged in November 1945. Ethel was the daughter of Harvey and Elizabeth Burgin (and a first cousin of Cliff Burgin). She was married to Fred DeSilva, who also served in the Second World War. Fred died in 1976, Ethel in 1986. The postcard is signed 'Pete,' which was Mrs. DeSilva's nickname.

131 years ago today, February 23, 1892, Ralph Miller Barnhart was born, the son of Jeremy Barnhart and Kate Miller.  Ralph was married and widowed three times and would live to be 96, dying on Christmas Day, 1988. He would have one son, Donald, from his first marriage to Anna Ruland. He is buried in Bovina. Ralph was my great-uncle. He's the boy in this picture, with his sisters Edith and Anna Bell. He would be joined by a brother Wilford in 1901. 

138 years ago today, the February 24, 1885 Stamford Mirror had this item about the recent town election (which took place in February until the early 20th century). 

203 years ago today on February 25, 1820, the New York State legislature passed an act creating the Town of Bovina. The town's bicentennial was belatedly celebrated in July 2022. We are 22 years away from the town's 225th birthday.

119 years ago today, on February 26, 1904, Mary Gordon McLean, the sister of Bovina's town clerk Tom Gordon, penned this letter to him from her home in Laurel Bank, Gatehouse, Scotland.  The letter arrived around March 4, based on the postmark from Bloomville on the back envelope. The transcript of the letter: 

"My Dear Brother. I was delighted to have your last letter, and the photograph of the children. They are really beautiful. I had to send the first one to Bella and she is awfully pleased with it. She thinks he is a fine boy. I am sending you Addie's second youngest boy, taken when he was between 2 and 3. Alexander Gordon Jardin. She will send you one of her baby as soon as the weather is good enough to have it done. I got 2 bundles of comic coloured papers from you but never received any from John. We have had a very long and severe winter. I was pleased to hear Mary and you got home with Baby before it got so cold. 

It is just 10 years now since I was in America. I am always glad to hear of all the people I met when there. I am afraid there is poor prospects of Ann's recovery. Does Jessie Granley face ever give her trouble, or is it better now. I send you a copy of the Castle Douglas paper sometimes. Do you ever get it. Castle Douglas has grown immensely since your day. There is some beautiful buildings in it now. I had a letter from Bella the other ay. She is feeling a little better when she wrote. The are all well at Alderlea. Addie wishes to be remembered to you. Brother John & Jack Broadfoot [her nephew] are both well. Hoping you are all keeping well. Believe me your loving Sister Mary.

PS. Be sure and tell John how please I was with the photo of the children. They are just beautiful through the stereoscope. You can see them so plainly. M.M.L. [These children likely are Thomas's son John's son and Thomas's son, both named William.]

The baby she mentions in her letter when she ways "I was pleased to hear Mary and you got home with Baby before it got so cold" was William, who was the older brother of Margaret Gordon, who was a Social Studies teacher in Delhi for many years. 

128 years ago today, on February 27, 1895, Jennie E. Hilson, the daughter of Thomas and Jenneatte Orr Stott Hilson was married to Lewis W. Cooper. Lewis was from Massachusetts. They would have nine children.  Here is the invitation to the wedding. They would be married until Lewis’s death in 1923. Jennie would remarry in 1928 to Olin Evans. What happened to her after about 1930 I have not been able to determine. Her second husband died in 1936. She was alive that year but beyond that I’ve had no luck tracking her down. 

111 years ago today, this item appeared in the February 28, 1912 Delaware Gazette: "James C. Mabon and John Whitson have sold their farms in southern Bovina to Robert L. Gerry. The options were given several days ago and the writings will be drawn Friday Both Mabon and Whitson can, if they choose, remain on the farms until September. It is stated that Mr. Mabon receives $15,000 and Mr. Whitson $5,250 for their respective farms. Mr. Mabon has his eye on a small place at East Delhi It is understood that Mr. Gerry will erect a large summer home heights of the Mabon farm." This is where in 1915 Gerry built Aknusti.