This Day in Bovina for June 2025

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

Thirty-two years ago today, the June 1, 1993 issue of the Delaware County Times carried this picture of former Bovina resident, Theresa Conklin. Theresa was born Theresa Hobbie in Walton in 1923, the daughter of William Hobbie and Elizabeth Mills. She came to Bovina when she was 9 years old and married Howard Conklin in 1945. They farmed on Reinertsen Hill Road for over 30 years, retiring in 1978. Theresa died in August 1998 at the age of 75.   

194 years ago today, June 2, 1831, an arrest warrant was issued for John Rutherford and John Renwick: "Whereas complaint hath been made before me, John M. Landon, one of the Justices of the peace for [Delaware] county upon the oath of David W. Thomson of Bovina ... that John Rutherford and John Renwick did on the 11th day of May last violently assault and beat him the said David W. Thomson at Bovina … therefore in the name of the people of the State of New York to command you forthwith to apprehend the said John Rutherford & John Renwick of Bovina & bring them before me, to answer unto the said complaint, & further, to be dealt with according to law…" The October 12, 1831 Delaware Gazette reported that "John Rutherford, was tried on an indictment found at the last [Court of] Oyer and Terminer for an assault and battery on David Thompson and found guilty. He afterwards presented to the court an affidavit in mitigation, shewing that he was not angry at the time of the commission of the offence and was permitted to escape with the moderate fine of ten dollars." What happened with John Renwick I have yet to determine. 

These images of some Bovina kids come from the collection of Celia Coulter. In the front is Lee Archibald. The middle row is Terry (no first name provided, so if anyone knows, let me know), Martha Jardine, Marianne Hilson. Back row is Louisa McPherson, Carol Erway, Dotty Boggs. Sorry that a couple of the images are not great, but it's fun to see all three - they looked like they were having fun! Celia dated this picture as being June 1954.

166 years ago today, on June 4, 1859, Alexander Sylvanius Bramley, son of John W. Bramley and Margaret McCune was born. He would die only 21 days later on June 25. John and Margaret had a total of eight children, five of whom made it to adulthood. Alexander was their fifth child. This is his headstone, courtesy of Ed and Dick Davidson. 

147 years ago today, the June 5, 1878 Delaware Gazette, reported on Bovina's ranking concerning a number of aspects related to farming, noting that Bovina was 17th in the county in acres, in gross sales the thirteenth, in bushels of corn the 14th, in number of cows 14th, etc. The article also noted that Bovina was 10th in the pounds of butter produced and first in the butter produced per acre - 14 1/10 pounds. Here's the full article: 

198 years ago today, on June 6, 1827, the following advertisement appeared in the Commercial Advertiser: 

Fifty-eight years ago, the June 7, 1967 Oneonta Daily Star carried this article about the fate of the school building in the Bovina Center hamlet. The building is now the Bovina Public Library. 

121 years ago today, the June 8, 1904 Delaware Gazetteer reported: "Hon. E.T. Gerry expects to leave New York on Wednesday next, in his coach and four and drive to his Lake Delaware summer home. In making the trip sixteen relays of horses will be used, the distances of each section being from twelve to fifteen miles. He expects to arrive at Lake Delaware Thursday evening. Elmer E. Hastings of Bovina Center, went over the route and arranged the horses. The party will come up the east side of the Hudson River and cross at Kingston.”

Seventy-nine years ago today, June 9, 1946, Bob Wyer took this image of the St. James Church choir and congregation. The woman at the right next to the priest is Angelica Gerry, who financed the construction of St. James in the 1920s. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

140 years ago today, the June 10, 1885 Lancaster Intelligencer reported that "President Cleveland has appointed Isaac H. Maynard of New York to be second comptroller of the treasurer…The office is worth five thousand dollars a year. General satisfaction is expressed with the appointment." Maynard grew up in Bovina, born there in 1838. Maynard became a lawyer and served a term in the New York State Assembly. 

136 years ago today, the Bovina column in the June 11, 1889 Stamford Mirror reported the following: "Coulter Bros. are making post office boxes for Alex Hilson, the newly appointed postmaster. It is expected that the business of our post office will now be increased, at least to the extent of the patronage of the new postmaster, while the Lake Delaware office will lose its patronage, which it has enjoyed for many years."

These images of Charles McPherson were taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s. Charles was born in Bovina in 1873, son of Albert McPherson and Drusilla Ellsworth. He married Rosa Strangeway in 1902. They would have three children, Marian (1906-1976), Lester (1908-1997) and Frank (1912-2000). Charles lived in Bovina all his life. Not long after these images were taken, Charles was seriously injured in a fall, breaking his back in the process. He was confined to his home for over a decade, dying in August 1949. Courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.

Eighty-four years ago today, the Lake Delaware column of the June 13, 1940 Delaware Republican reported that "Miss Angelica Gerry has opened Ancrum House for the summer and has as her guest Saxham Drury of Newport, R.I." This was Francis Saxham Drury, who was Angelica's brother-in-law. Francis was born in England and married his first wife, Mary Peek, in 1884 in London. They would have three children in England. Mary died in 1922. Three years later, Drury married as his second wife, Angelica's sister Mabel. Mabel died in 1930. Francis died in Rhode Island in 1942.

106 years ago today, on June 14, 1919, as reported by the Andes Recorder, "Sergeant Donald Lee, a member of the Lightning division, who served over a year in France, arrived home ….having received his discharge."  Lee was born in Bovina in 1896, the son of John Bruce Lee and Lucy A. Hall.  The Lee family lived on Lee Hollow.  Donald was a US Army Sargent during World War I, receiving the Purple Heart.  Donald lived to see his 99th birthday, dying in Florida in May 1995. He is buried in Bovina. Donald was Bovina's last surviving World War One veteran.

189 years ago today, on June 15, 1836, the session of the Bovina Associate Presbyterian Church met and went through several items related the conduct of members of the church. "Christina Elliott appeared before session to answer do the sin of fornication and also her imprudent conduct in other reports for which she declared her sorrow…" She was willing to submit to a public rebuke and to be suspended for a time. Elders reported on several other issues, including discussions with Temperance Wooden and Elizabeth Coulter about dancing, with John Miller concerning his attendance at a Methodist service and Hellen Elliott for not coming to church.

125 years ago today, the Delaware Republican for June 16, 1900 reported that Woodburn & Smyth, the monument dealers in Delhi, had sold several "fine monuments," including to "W.H. Bramley a Dark Barre Granite Sarcophagus of modern design, to be erected in Bovina Center, NY, to the memory of his father and mother who died suddenly last winter. This monument consists of cap, neatly carved and polished on four sides, die polished on four sides with Grecian border traced around the top; second base molded and polished on four sides, bottom base rock finished and corners margined."

115 years ago today, the Bovina column of the June 17, 1910 Andes Recorder reported that "Dr. Ward Young and family expect to leave next Monday to spend two weeks at his old home in Canada." The Young family was in Bovina relatively briefly, arriving around 1905. From Bovina, he settled near Canada in Gouvernor, St. Lawrence County. After a over a decade there, he went to New York, then to Northhampton, Massachusetts. In the late 1930s, he returned to Gouvernor. He died there in 1949.

Two hundred and forty-nine years ago today, June 18, 1776, Thomas Elliott was born in Roxburghshire, Scotland. He married Magdaline Thomson and had six children. He died in Bovina in 1838 and is buried in the Old Associate Presbyterian Church cemetery in Bovina.

In 1946, Delhi photographer Bob Wyer took a series of aerial pictures around Bovina in a plane piloted by Eddie Davidson. These show the Henry Monroe farm in the Mountain Brook area. The farm still is in the Monroe family today. Images courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.

Here's a photo of the Delaware Academy Class of 1936. Can you find Marjorie Russell? When you do find her, the woman to her right is her friend Catherine Foster (nee Banuat).  Also in this picture are Bovina residents - James and Joseph Lane (I think they are in the second row left in the white shirts), and Audrey DeSilva (I think she's in the third row, second from left). If I'm wrong on any of these, please let me know. In the yearbook, the quote under Marjorie’s picture said "Her talents are of the more silent class." In the class prophecy, the Kalends said "Marjorie Russell will be an elevator operator in the Empire State Building, fall in love with the guide and live in a tent on the top."

144 years ago today, the June 21, 1881 Stamford Mirror carried this somewhat cryptic item: "The Bovina 'Gossip' misquotes part of an item from the Mirror, and then makes an assertion concerning a 'schoolmarm' which the pupils attending the school taught by her say is a lie."

161 years ago today, on June 22, 1864, a vote was held in Bovina to pay a bounty of $500 to any man enlisting in the Civil War, to be credited to Bovina.  There were several such votes during the war, each time for a larger amount.  By the end of the war, it was up to $800.  This vote was the closest of the war, passing by only one vote, with 68 for and 67 against.

Sixty-one years ago today, the June 23, 1964 Oneonta Daily Star carried this item about the Bovina Center Co-op Creamery: 

Seventy-one years ago today, the Stamford Mirror for June 24, 1954 reported "Teacher Awards Prizes to Grade Students." The article: Prizes awarded to children in the Bovina Center grade school by their teacher, Mrs. Ray Jardine, were as follows: perfect attendance, Mary Anne LaFever, Jim Hilson, Jeanetta Erway, Norman Hall, Jean Damgaard, and Janet Hoy; most improvement during the year, Betty Conklin and Janet Hoy; and highest average in class, Stewart Rosa, fourth grade; Jean Damgaard, third grade; Steve Rosa, second grade and Linda Graham, first grade.

These images of Edwin 'Ted' Burgin were taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s/early 1940s. Born in Bovina in 1904 in Bovina, he was only six months old when his father died by suicide. He was a lifelong Bovina resident, marrying Mary Brown in June 1925. Ted passed away in 1993, Mary in 2004. 

Eighty-three years ago today, on June 26, 1942, the Bovina town board passed a resolution choosing the Bovina Community Hall as "an Airplane Observatory for the duration [of the Second World War]." The town agreed to furnish a "telephone and all needed appliances" unless the County agrees to cover these expenses.

 

Here's a postcard view of Bovina Center, showing the house built in 1928 by William Archibald, across from the Bovina Community Hall. It was built where the Bovina Methodist church stood for about 80 years.

 

130 years ago today, in the June 28, 1895 issue of the Andes Recorder, the Bovina correspondent reported that "Irving Phinney has a new bicycle." In the same column, it was reported that "The most healthy thing for tramps and thieves, who are so numerous in this vicinity, to do is for them to leave before they get a dose of lead."

130 years ago today, on June 29, 1895 (as later reported by the Andes Recorder) "Dr. Barnard was in town Saturday extracting teeth without pain." This likely is a gentleman named Homer H. Barnard from Milford in Otsego County. He shows up in several census records as a dentist.

 

Eighty-seven years ago, on June 30, 1938 (as later reported in the Andes Recorder), "Rev. and Mrs. Peter McKenzie traveled to Newark to see their two daughters sail on a six-week trip to Finland." The McKenzies had three daughters, Janet, Elizabeth and Margaret. Which two daughters was not stated in the newspaper, though it probably was Janet and Elizabeth. This seems to be confirmed when Janet and Elizabeth returned to the United States on August 8, traveling on the Queen Mary.  

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

June 1, 1900

• Barna Johnson was in town Friday.

• Adam Maxwell was in town o Sabbath.

• Alex Hilson was at Delhi and Scranton this week.

• William C. Russell was down at Delhi Friday.

• John Blair and wife were visitors at Andes Wednesday.

• Mrs. Dr. McNaught, of Hobart, has been visiting in town.

• Rev. T.M. Slater and wife have been visiting at Sterling Valley.

• Marion Robertson and wife were over at Andes Memorial Day. 

• Peter Mosier, wife and daughter passed through town on Sabbath.

• Mrs. G.D. Miller is visiting her sister, Mrs. Newel at Highland Falls.

• H.G. Bramley and wife visited at Harriet Close’s, Andes, Wednesday. 

• James Menzie is doing a job of carpenter work for Mrs. A.D. Thomson.

• Henry Hogaboom arrived in town Monday from the Soldiers’ Home at Bath.

• John Irvine went to Delhi Monday to attend the special meeting of the supervisors.

• Mrs. Alex Hilson and son James, and Miss Maggie Archibald visited at Delhi Saturday.

• Dr. McNaught was in town Thursday to visit John R. Hoy, who is in quite poor health.

• The German Medicine Company which has been here the past week left Monday for Delhi.

• Miss Jennie Campbell has been engaged as teacher in the Hobart High School for another year.

• Born at Downsville, May 22d, to Mr. and Mrs. William Reynolds, nee Kate Cooke, a daughter. [This daughter was named Wilma and sadly, was deaf and disabled, spending most of her life in institutions in Rome and Syracuse.]

• Mrs. W.B. Thomson and son, Alex and Mrs. J.L. Coulter and Miss Jennie Gladstone visited the County Seat Tuesday.

• Mrs. Robert Mallory and children, of Hamden, have been visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. John P. Dennis in this village.

• Ninety-six new books have been added to the United Presbyterian church public library, and there is now a fine collection from which to get reading. 

• E.C. Smyth of Woodburn & Smyth, was in town Friday with a monument to be erected on Alex Bryden’s plot, and also a headstone for Robert Robson.

• R.P. Cormack and Colin Richardson were in town Tuesday in the interest of the soldiers’ monument.  J.W. Coulter, W.T. Black and Thomas Gordon were appointed a committee to procure funds. [This is the monument that now stands in the courthouse square in Delhi, NY, erected in 1906.]

June 8, 1900

• T.E. Hastings was at Delhi Friday.

• John Irvine was at the County Seat Monday.

• Thomas Boggs made a trip to Delhi Monday.

• Albert Butts was at East Meredith Wednesday.

• Mrs. A.F. Maynard visited at Hamden last week.

• John G. Russell left Thursday morning for Walton.

• Alex Hilson was among those down at Delhi Monday.

• Elmer Hastings was at Andes Saturday buying butter.

• Mark Gerowe of Bloomville, was seen in town Tuesday.

• Rev. Samson started Tuesday on a visit to his people in Iowa. [He was the pastor of the Bovina United Presbyterian Church.]

• Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gordon were at Delhi Saturday and Sabbath.

• Robert R. Gladstone and wife, of Andes, were guests here on Tuesday.

• Mrs. William Crosier and Mrs. Thos. Gordon were visitors at Delhi Tuesday.

• Monday Mrs. G.D. Miller returned from visiting her sister at Highland Falls. 

• There will be no preaching in the United Presbyterian church on Sabbath.

• Mr. and Mrs. George Hughes, from the Little Delaware, were here on Sabbath.

• Mrs. John Armstrong, Jr., of California, arrived in town the first of the week.

• George Hunger and family, of Downsville, were guests at William Cooke’s Saturday.

• William Bramley and family and Mrs. E.C. Dean and child were up from Delhi Wednesday.

• Rev. and Mrs. W.L.C. Samson, Dr. Wilson and Miss Jennie E. Miller visited Andes on Monday.

• Mr. Swift, a Scranton butter buyer, arrived in town Monday and is contracting butter for the season. 

• Seven persons united with the United Presbyterian church last Sabbath; one by certificate, one by baptism and profession and five by profession of faith. 

• William Telford, in the Plattekill, had Dr. Schumann remove a growth from one of his eyes last Thursday. He was at Delhi again Monday to have it attended to, and it is doing nicely.

• Several years ago a number of persons subscribed money and a telephone line was built from Bovina Centre to Margaretville via. the Butt End and New Kingston, but the line was never incorporated and was always out of repair and for some time has not been working at all.  A new stock company we understand has been formed to reconstruct the line and expect to have it completed in about a month.

June 15, 1900

• Farmers were at Delhi Monday with stock.

• Thomas Hutson was in town Wednesday.

• David Oliver was over at Andes on Monday. 

• Reed Dumond, of Andes, was here Thursday.

• F.R. Coulter made a trip to Andes Wednesday.

• Rev. Marvin Thompson was a guest here Thuesday.

• Miss Jennie Miller went to the County Seat this week.

• John W. Hewitt was down at the County Seat Monday. 

• Mr. and Mrs. George Grant were in town Tuesday from Delhi.

• Mrs. Samson left Thursday morning to join her husband in Iowa

• R.A. Thomson and Leonard Sloan were down at Delhi Thursday.

• Anson Jenkins, of Union Grove, was among those in this place Monday.

• Gideon Miller and wife visited his parents at Andes Tuesday evening.

• Mrs. R.R. Scott and Mrs. Andrew Doig visited at Oneonta this week.

• Mrs. John Doig and child, of Walton has been a guest of her mother, Mrs. Campbell. [Mrs. Doig is the former Margaret Campbell, daughter of Duncan and Nancy Campbell. The child like was her first born, a daughter Dorothea.]

• Last Friday Bert McNair completed a successful year of school in the Butt End district.

• Mattie, daughter of David A. Oliver, of Delancey, has been a guest of relatives in town.

• Last Sabbath there was no preaching in either the Reformed or United Presbyterian churches.

• Children’s day was observed at the Methodist church on Sabbath with appropriate exercises.

• It is expected that Dr. Lee will occupy the pulpit of the United Presbyterian church on Sabbath.

• Alex. Hilson has been at Buffalo the past week and Thursday morning arrived home with a fine team of horses.

• Harvey Smith, of Bloomville, was seen in town Friday, as was also Gerome Dickson, of Margaretville, and Joseph Birdsall, of Oneonta.

• William T. Miller died Sabbath evening with something of the nature of a shock, at the home of his son-in-law, George Russell, at Bovina, aged between 60 and 65 years. He had been in poor health for a number of years. The funeral was held Tuesday at one o’clock, Rev. Sankey officiating. [This is William Telford Miller, who was born in 1835. His only child was his daughter Jennie, who married George Russell. William’s wife was the Elizabeth Hastings, who died in 1927.]

• One of the most successful schools in town the past year was the Butt End school under the charge of Bert McNair.  The attendance was thirteen and of this number Elmer Russell and Orlena Russell passed spelling, geography, grammar, arithmetic, reading and writing and physiology at the Regents examinations at Andes High School in January, earning their preliminary certificate and physiology besides in the one examination.  In the January and March examinations Libbie Hastings and Charles Hastings also earned their preliminary certificate and physiology in addition.  Maggie Liddle passed spelling and geography, and Willie Hastings and Herman Russell passed spelling and physiology.  Where is the school that can beat it.  

A Bovina Runaway.

Sunday John McCune had a runaway.  He was on his was on his way home from Glenburnie and Albert Craig was riding with him, when coming down Lee’s hill the hold back broke and the horse started.  Craig jumped out and caught it by the head and after dragging him some distance it went over the wall and got away.  Craig had his leg injured and considerable damage was done.  

From Bovina.  A Bovina correspondent writes:

If you would enjoy seeing and admiring the beauties of nature, call at J.G. Thomson’s, Bovina Centre, and there you will see the most beautiful tree it has ever been my privilege to see.  It is a large tree resembling the English Hawthorn, only more beautiful.  The clusters of double pink and red nearly covers the green foliage, while a background of evergreen balsam makes it still more beautiful.

June 22, 1900

• David Oliver has sold his horse.

• James Robson visited Delhi Friday.

• Thomas Miller was down at Delhi Friday.

• David Liddle was a visitor at Delhi Monday.

• Ernest Bouton made a trip to Delhi Monday.

• Mrs. William Crosier was at Delhi on Saturday.

• Barton Jackson was here from Andes Tuesday.

• Jaw Hawver and lady were here Monday from Andes.

• John W. Blair, wife and son were at Delhi on Sabbath.

• John G. Russell returned home from Oneonta Saturday.

• John Doig, of Walton, joined his wife here Saturday.

• David Taylor, of Canada Hollow, was in town Saturday. 

• Elmer Close and wife were at the County Seat Saturday.

• Walter Oliver, of Federal Hill, was in this place Tuesday.

• Mrs. D.H. Coulter and two sons were over at Andes Tuesday. [This probably is the former Lucy Ann Ward, who married David H. Coulter in 1879.] 

• Robert and Peter Gerry have been at Lake Delaware a few days.

• Monday William E. Hastings closed his school at Lake Delaware.

• James A. Thompson finished his school in Coulter Brook Monday.

• Alex Burns and wife [Nancy Miller Burns] visited her father, John T. Miller at Delhi Tuesday.

• Mrs. Isabell Elliott, of Andes, was a guest in town Saturday and Sabbath.

• Mr. and Mrs. G.D. Miller are visiting her brother at Pine Hill this week.

• David J. Miller and wife are visiting his brother, Rev W.P. Miller at Dayton, Ohio.

• Rev. T.M. Slater and wife arrived home Thursday. Mr. Slater occupied his pulpit Sabbath.

• John Irvine returned home from Delhi Friday, where he was drawn as one of the extra jurors.

• Mrs. Robert R. Scott and Mrs. Andrew T. Doig returned from their visit at Oneonta, Friday.

• Elliott Thompson and his brother, John, were at Davenport Saturday, returning on Sabbath.

• Dennis Brothers have a hen house in course of erection 50 feet long and 18 wide and a story and a half high.

• Dr. J.B. Lee and wife are visiting in town, and the Dr. occupied the pulpit of the United Presbyterian church last Sabbath.

• The wall in front of the Methodist parsonage has been rebuilt and the yard will be graded and otherwise improved in appearance.

• Andrew Doig is preparing to build an addition onto the back end of his store.  He has sold his sheds to A.T. Strangeway who will put them up near the United Presbyterian church and rent them.

• The estate of John W. Bramley have purchased a Barre Granite Sarcophagus. It consists of a cap carved and polished on four sides, die polished with Grecian border traced around the top, with second base moulded and polished and bottom base rock finish.  

A Bovina correspondent writes:

Caucus is to be held Saturday and we understand the delegates will be Hilson and Foreman. 

June 29, 1900

• James Patterson was seen in town Friday.

• Douglas Davidson drove to Hobart Monday.

• Thomas Johnson was over at Andes Tuesday.

• Robert Biggar was over at Andes on Thursday.

• John E. Gladstone has been a visitor in this place.

• A load of Andes young ladies were over Saturday.

• Andrew Gilchrist, of Elk Creek was in town Tuesday.

• Jackson & Mason’s team was here Saturday with furniture.

• John R. Hoy and wife went to Hobart Monday for a visit.

• Mrs. Malcolm McNaught, of Delancy has been a guest in town.

• Rev. Mosier and family renewed old acquaintances here Monday.

• Mrs. A.D. Thomson and son, Marshall, visited Andes Wednesday. [This is Jane M. McNaught, widow of Andrew Dixon Thompson. Marshall later married Helen Blair.] 

• Miss Anna M. Phyfe has arrived home from teaching at Dogeville.

• Miss Jennie Campbell is home from Hobart for the summer vacation.

• Miss Emma Campbell closed her school on Miller avenue last week.

• Johnathan Adee and wife of New Kingston were visitors here Monday. [Mrs. Adee was the former Henrietta Kipp.]

• Presiding Elder Germond preached in the M.E. church Sabbath afternoon. 

• Mrs. M.M. Boggs has gone to Stamford to work during the boarding season.

• Thomas Fuller is building the foundation for the addition to A.T. Doig’s store. [This likely is the back part of the store.]

• Mrs. E.M. Norton and two children and Mrs. Hermon Dean, of Andes, were guests in town Friday.

• E. Laidlaw, Jr. of New Kingston, and William Northrup, of Walton, were among those in town Monday.

• Bovina is well pleased that respected citizen, W.T. Black, has received the nomination for County Clerk.

• Republican caucus Saturday was a brief affair. W.T. Black was allowed to select his own delegates and chose Alex. Hilson and James Foreman.

• The census enumerator has nearly completed his work and it is thought the number of people will fall short of the number of census ten years previous. [Actually, the 1900 census enumerated six more people than that of 1890 – 932 vs. 926.]

• Mrs. Bergeman is suffering with some trouble with one eye and it is feared that member may have to be removed. Dr. Gates was here Monday to see her.

• Dr. Lee preached in the United Presbyterian church last Sabbath, and will preach again on the coming Sabbath. Last Sabbath his sermon was to young women and next Sabbath it will be to young men. 

• The Methodist parsonage had a narrow escape from destruction by fire Tuesday.  That morning Mrs. Gladstone went away visiting and when Mr. Gladstone came home at night he discovered the fire in the back kitchen and it was getting under good headway and in fifteen minutes more it would have been beyond control.  The supposition is that a coal must have gotten out on the floor and smouldered all day but had no air to help it along.  The floor was burned through and also some of the woodwork around the window.  Some tin dishes hanging on the other side of the stove had the solder melted off and the handles remained hanging.  The building was insured in the town Insurance Company and the loss was adjusted at about $22.  Mr. Gladstone’s loss has not yet been adjusted.

 

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

From the pages of the Andes Recorder, life in Bovina 100 years ago this month. 

June 5, 1925

• Attorney H.J. Hewitt, of Delhi, was in town Tuesday.

• Mr. and Mrs. Charles J. Russell, of Delhi, were here on Sabbath.

• Mrs. Georgia More, of Stamford, was a guest at Harry Robinson’s over the week end.

• Mr. and Mrs. Calvin Russell, from Syracuse, were visitors here over the week end.

• Miss Helen Gladstone and John Aitkens jr, were Albany visitors last Saturday.

• Mr. and Mrs. Frank Myers, of Endicott, spent over Decoration [day] with his parents here.

• Colin McNaught had his dairy tested with the tuberculin test and 50 of the 55 tested were condemned.

• Fourteen of our young people attended the Y.P.C.U. rally at South Kortright last Friday night.

• Mrs. Mary Forrest, who is in poor health, is now at the home of her dauter, Mrs. Robert E. Thomson. 

• Charles Thomson, of Endicott, spent over the week end with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Lancelot Thomson’s. 

• Mrs. James Monroe and daughter, Ruth, of this place, and Susan Allison of Delhi, spent over Sabbath at Catskill.

• Irving Gill, of Binghamton, agent for the Travelers Insurance, and Jas Mable, of Andes, were in town Tuesday.

• Raymond McNair and family, from Binghamton, were over the week end guests of his sister, Mrs. John W. McCune.

• Mr. and Mrs. Kennedy Warren, of Delhi, and Mr. and Mrs. Orrin Beams of Oneonta, were callers at Lancelot Thomson’s on Sabbath.

• Mr. and Mrs. George Decker went to Glen Cove, Long Island, last Friday to visit their daughter. Mr. Decker came home Monday, but Mrs. Decker remained for a longer visit.

• Mr. and Mrs. John Henry, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Thomson and Mrs. G.J. Dickson spent from Saturday until Tuesday in New York City. The trip was made in the Henry auto.

• C.D. Pickwick has purchased the Hewitt farm in upper Bovina, and Loron Maxon, who has been on it, has moved to the Chas J. Russell house in the upper part of Bovina Center.

• Mr. and Mrs. Arnold VanDusen, of Saratoga Springs, spent Decoration Day at the home of his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank VanDuesen. His mother returned home with them for a few days visit. 

Westward Bound

Mr. and Mrs. Charles Cheney and family started Tuesday for Oregon. They make the trip in a Ford touring car and with a Ford truck for baggage.

Native of Bovina

Mrs. Elizabeth McNaught Kiff, of Bloomville, died May 31, at the home of her son at Oneonta, at the age of 92 years. She was born in Bovina on October 31, 1833, and lived there until her marriage on 1857 to James Kiff and the Kiff homestead was her home for over fifty years. [Elizabeth was the daughter of John McNaught and Isabella Scutt.]

June 12, 1925

• Freeman Drew, of Terry Clove, called on his people here on Sabbath.

• Mrs. Susan Huber, is Delhi, is visiting at the home of her brother, Alex Myers.

• Mr. and Mrs. C.S. Gladstone and two daughters were Oneonta visitors Saturday.

• Mr. and Mrs. George Middlemist, of Delhi, were Tuesday guests of her uncle Alex Meyers.

• Mr. and Mrs. Frank Myers, of Endicott, and Jack Myers were over week end visitors here.

• William Gordon was home from Brooklyn the first of the week to take his third degree as a Mason.

• Mr. and Mrs. George H. Miller were at Mundale and brought home their granddaughter, Ida Lay with them.

• Frank Dickson and family and Mrs. John Hilson, daughter, Louise, and son, Jack, were at Lewbeach on Wednesday.

• Mrs. Arthur Flynn, of Pepacton who has been assisting her mother, Mrs. John Aitkens, returned home on Sabbath.

• Mrs. Douglas Burns, who has been at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Howard McPherson, for several weeks, was taken to her home Saturday. She is being cared for by Mrs. F.W. Hyatt.

Bovina Woman Dead

Mrs. Mary C. Forrest passed away at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Robert E. Thomson, on Coulter Brook, about 9 o’clock Tuesday evening, June 10, at the age of 68 years. Death was due to a general breaking down. She had spent practically all her life in Bovina and her maiden name was Mary Lunn. Her husband, William Forrest died in 1900. She is survived by the daughter above named and a son, Norton Forrest, also by two sisters, Mrs. Belle Archibald, of Franklin, and Mrs. Eunice Story, of Bloomville, and two brothers, Chas Lunn of Canada Hollow, Andes and Walter Lunn of Seattle, Washington.

The funeral was held Thursday and interment was made in the Bovina Center cemetery. 

June 19, 1925

• Mrs. John Blair spent Tuesday with Delhi relatives.

• Born to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Schabloski, June 2, a daughter. [The daughter was named Catherine Harriett.]

• Miss Eulu Miller, of Hamden, has been at Lancelot Thomson’s.

• A child was recently born to Mr. and Mrs. William Fuhrman in Coulter Brook. [This likely was a daughter named Mildred.]

• Elmer Doig is doing the grading around the new residence of Mrs. Alex Hilson.

• Mr. and Mrs. Cecil Russell and Mrs. Elizabeth Irvine were County Seat visitors Wednesday.

• William Gordon arrived home from Pratt Institute on Thursday for the summer vacation.

• Miss Alta Galland, who has been teaching in New Kingston, is visiting her brother, Hugh Galland.

• Rev. and Mrs. Charles Lay and family, of Mundale, are visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George H. Miller.

• Mrs. James Rutherford, of Pepacton was called here this week by the illness of her mother, Mrs. J.D. Burns. [Mrs. Burns, the former Margaret Doig, died the day after this column appeared.]

• Mr. and Mrs. Robert Doig and Mr. and Mrs. Grant Maxwell, of Delhi, were at Wilber Doig’s on Wednesday.

• G.D. Miller is tearing 15 feet off the rear of his barn. The part being torn down was formerly used as a horse stable.

• The teachers and pupils of Bovina Center school enjoyed a picnic at the Canada Hollow Falls, near Dunraven, Saturday.

• Elliott Thomson has a position as inspector for the State on the state road being built between Downsville and East Branch.

• Robert G. Thomson has been ill the past week with tonsilitis at his home at Frasers. His mother, Mrs. Elliott Thomson, has been there helping care for him. 

June 26, 1925

• Hannah Coulter is at Roxbury.

• Hugh Galland, wife and sister spent Sabbath near Kingston.

• Mabel Thomson is home from teaching at Winsted, Connecticut.

• Caroline Dickson is home from teaching at Rutland, Vermont.

• Mrs. Norris Whitcomb and son were at Will Storie’s over the week end.

• Mrs. Frank Becker, of Arena, has taken employment at John Aitken’s.

• Everett Joslin has rented rooms in G.D. Miller’s house and moves July 1.

• Lauren Dickson, who is in a Binghamton law office, is home for few days.

• Born to Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Barnhart, June 23, 6 ½ pound son – Donald.

• Mrs. C.S. Gladstone slipped on the steps at her home spraining her ankle.

• Anna Dickson is home from Cornell University, where she just graduated.

• Mrs. William T. Russell has purchased the dairy of Eliza J.P. Russell.

• G.D. Miller is spending a few days at William Oliver’s at Harpersfield.

• Freeman Shaver and wife, of Terry Clove, spent Sabbath with his parents.

• Nelson Ackerley and wife, of Jefferson, spent Sabbath with his brother, James Ackerley.

• Robert G. Thomson and wife and Grace Erkson, of Frasers, spent over the week end here.

• During a heavy thunderstorm on Sabbath afternoon James C. Mabon had three cows killed.

• Born to Mr. and Mrs. Robert More, at the home of her mother, Mrs. Fred Bramley, June 21, a daughter.

• Misses Helen Gladstone, Margaret Gordon and Jenet Laidlaw graduated this week from Delaware Academy.

• Married at Delhi on June 18, by the Rev. T.C. Bookhout, Edwin Burgin and Mary Brown, both of this town.

• Communion services will be held on Sabbath at the United Presbyterian church. Rev. Barr, of Delancey will preach.

• Mrs. A.S. Banker is visiting her people at Pine Hill this week. Gilbert Banker is attending a teachers conference being held at Ithaca.

• Fred Thomson and wife and Carrie Dumond attended the graduation of Mrs. Thomson’s niece, Margaret Hamilton, at Walton on Wednesday night.

• Bovina real estate transfers recorded are Executor of Fredrick Johnson to Margaret A. Thomson, $1; Margaret A. Thomson to Reformed Presbyterian Church of Bovina, $1; Irene Thomson (heir of Mary Forrest) to Norton C. Forrest, $1.

This Day in Bovina for May 2025

Here's the monthly compilation of the daily entries from the Town of Bovina Historian Facebook page. 

These images of Cecil and Charles Russell and their wives come from the Russell family. Charles Russell was born in Bovina in 1890, Cecil a year later in 1891. They were two of the sons of Robert Hamilton Russell and Margaret A. Doig. Charles married Hildreth Tuttle in 1915. A year later, Cecil married Isabell Irvine. Each brother would have one child - both children were born in Bovina. Marjorie was born to Cecil and Isabell in 1918. Charles and Hildreth's son Allyn was born in 1920. The two brothers would die about a year and a half apart - Charles in 1980, Cecil in early 1982.

Sixty-seven years ago today, the May 2, 1958 Daily Star carried an article about one of the last one-room schools in Bovina, the Maynard School. Go to the Bovina NY History Blog at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2016/06/scholars-in-century-old-schoolhouse.html

138 years ago today, the May 3, 1887 Stamford Mirror in its Bovina column had this item: "Alex Hilson has bought D.C. [Champ] Worden's farm of 55 acres, at $2800. D.C. Worden has bought Ira J. Worden's place, containing 34 acres at $1900. Ira has rented Mrs. Ellen Boyd's house and lot in Bovina Centre and proposes to run a livery business." Ira Worden was the father of Champ Worden. Ellen was Champ's sister-in-law.

This image of some Coulter family members came from the collection of the late Celia Coulter. On the back was this information from Celia: "L to R Mary Rotermund Coulter, Herman Rotermund, her cousin who lived in Margaretville, Ella Rotermund Bennett, her sister who came from Cal. In 1923 to spend the summer, driver for the Rotermunds, Margaret Coulter Boggs, Adelaid (Addie) Russell Cowan, Mrs. Rotermund. I'm not sure when Aunt Addie married Uncle Tom Cowan, though if I search enough, I could find a postcard she sent while on her honeymoon in N.Y. You will recognize the barn, now Agnes Burns.'" Thomas Cowan married Addie Coulter in 1924. The image was taken on what is now the Dominic and Laurie Gullow farm. 

Seventy years ago today, the Bovina column in the May 5, 1955 Stamford Mirror-Recorder included this item: "Marshall Thomson resigned his position in the Bovina Creamery on May 1. Marvin Archibald is now employed in the creamery here."

139 years ago today, the May 6, 1886 issue of the Andes Recorder in its Bovina column reported that "Thomas H. Johnson has added to his extensive machinery a new loom of an improved pattern, which is probably the best one in the county.  He and his sons are capable of doing a large amount of work with the machinery at their command. They not only make all kinds of woolen cloth, but grind feed, saw lumber, etc." This would have been for Johnson's Woolen Mill, which was located near the Mountain Brook area. 

 

112 years ago today, the May 7, 1913 Delaware Gazette had this item concerning a possible railroad coming to Bovina yet again: "The recent visit to Andes of R. B. Williams and Jos. Jermyn of Scranton, has made people in that vicinity wonder if Jermyn & Williams are still interested in the extension of the Andes branch [of the railroad] to Bovina and possibly to Delhi. Surveyor Howland informed us a few years ago that when the branch was built it was the intention of the company to extend it to Bovina, and that was why the road went into Andes village at such a high grade, in order to strike the road bed of the defunct Andes & Delhi R. R."

Ninety-nine years ago today, on May 8, 1926, the town clerk certified that a resolution was adopted authorizing the issuance of a Certificate of Indebtedness to allow for the purchase of a stone raking machine. 

123 years ago today, the Bovina column in the May 9, 1902 Andes Recorder reported that "Three butcher carts now come round with meat – Perry Shaw, of Bloomville, William McDivitt, of Andes, and Ward Coulter, of this place."

This image of Hugh McPherson was taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s. Hugh was born in Bovina in 1912. He was the road commissioner in Bovina for many years, then worked for the New York State Department of Transportation. He was a member of the Bovina Fire Department. Hugh died in 1998. Hugh was the father of Ruth Ann Avery and Sandra Cole. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

This postcard image from the 1960s showing the view from Pink Street of Bovina Center was taken by Bob Wyer. 

Eighty-five years ago today, on May 12, 1940, as later reported in the Delaware Republican's Bovina column reported that "Mr. and Mrs. Sylvan LaFever of Florida were here and attended Church." This likely was Sylvan's last visit to Bovina for a month later on June 10, he died in Patterson, New Jersey. Sylvan was my great grandfather.

Eighty-two years ago today, the May 13, 1943, the Bovina column of the Delaware Republican carried this item: "Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Ormiston and sons John and Mark were with his mother and brother and sisters Marjorie, Lois Davidson and Ruth Monroe and their families on Mother's Day."

136 years ago today, the May 14, 1889 Stamford Mirror reported in its Bovina column that "The family of John W. Bramley has been quarantined the past week, but Mr. B. thought this was 'free America,' and went to Delhi regardless of the Board of Health. There is some talk of enforcing the law."

149 years ago today, on May 15, 1876, Isaac Atkin died. His death was later reported in the Delaware Gazette under the title "Sudden Death in Bovina." The paper noted that "Atkins, after working on his farm…until near night, started to go for the cows, and was shortly after found by his son, dead in the road." Isaac was a lifelong resident of Bovina.

Sixty years ago today, on May 16, 1965, Lib Blair passed away. Born Elizabeth Jannette Miller in 1867, she was the daughter of John Thomas Miller and Nancy Armstrong. She was two years old when her mother died. A year later, her father remarried to Eleanor Thompson. Lib married John W. Blair in 1889 - he died in 1945. She had two children, son Millard and daughter Helen. Lib was 97 when she died. Her daughter Helen would exceed her mother's age by a decade, dying at 107 in 1997.

135 years ago today, the Bovina column of the May 17, 1890 Delaware Republican reported that "Our milliners have returned from the city with a large stock of head-gear, and now they are busy day and night rigging out the ladies with that mysterious ornament which adorns their top-knots. If a woman's bonnet is not a thing of beauty, it is a mysterious thing."

Sixty-four years ago today, the May 18, 1961 Bovina column in the Delaware Republican Express included this item: "At the local contest for beauty queen at Dairyland Festival, there were eight contestants. The winner was Reneta Rabeler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Alex Rabeler jr. She is a student of South Kortright Central School."

In 1946, Delhi photographer Bob Wyer took a series of aerial pictures around Bovina in a plane piloted by Eddie Davidson. This image shows Angelica Gerry's mansion, Ancrum, which was built in 1928. The road at the upper left is Route 28. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.  

140 years ago today, the May 20, 1885 Delaware Gazette carried this notice for the construction of a new schoolhouse at Lake Delaware. 

Fourteen years ago today, on May 21, 2011, Marge and Cliff Burgin celebrated their 50th Wedding Anniversary at the Bovina Community Hall. 

129 years ago today, the Bovina column in the May 22, 1896 Andes Recorder reported that "Slight showers have brightened up vegetation this week, but much more rain is still needed."

Seventy-two years ago today, the May 23, 1953 Stamford Mirror-Recorder had several items in its Bovina column. Headlined "Vacation Trip has Mishap for Jane Hilson," the column went on to report that "Jane Hilson broke her arm while on a vacation trip through the southern states." The column also included two items about Floyd Aitkens: "Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Aitkens and sons, Billy and Alan, were in Binghamton on Monday for a check-up on Billy's arm." The column later reported that "Floyd Aitkens attended the New York State Bowling Tournament at Rochester on Saturday."

Ninety years ago today, the May 24, 1935 Delaware Express reported that "Dr. Whitcomb Dies in Egypt." The articled noted that "Dr. Norris B. Whitcomb, 47, a beloved physician who was formerly located in Bovina Center and for the past sixteen years a medical missionary at Assuit, Egypt, died last week, death, according to report being due to blood poisoning." He was survived by his mother, sister, wife and two children. He was buried in Egypt, though there is a memorial stone for him in the Walton Cemetery. 

Eighty-six years ago today, the May 25, 1939 issue of the Delaware Republican published this photograph by R.R. DeGelleke of Jack Hilson in his High School shop class. 

114 years ago today, the May 26, 1911 Andes Recorder in its Bovina column reported that "Monday was the hottest May day ever known here - 95 degrees." The same column also reported that "Miss Helena Strangeway is visiting her sister, Mrs. Leon Taggart, at Potsdam."

This 'birds eye' view of Bovina Center is on a postcard with a 1908 postmark. The image was taken just east of the hamlet above Pink Street. 

110 years ago today, the May 28, 1915 Catskill Mountain News carried this item under the title "Bovina Center to Celebrate:" "There was a meeting of public-spirited men in Bovina Center during the past week, in the interest of a ball team, a tennis club, and a Fourth of July celebration."

113 years ago today, the May 29, 1912 Delaware Gazette carried the following item: "Mr. and Mrs. Robert L. Gerry have been at Lake Delaware for a few days. The erection of a very fine mansion, on the farm he recently purchased, the making of a lake of considerable size, and the building of a new chapel and boys summer home requires careful supervision, and he is neglecting nothing that may make it not only an ideal summer home, but also ideal for all of the other purposes that they have in view." These two images, taken by Edna Benedict, show Aknusti under construction. Images courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

This image of Lauren Hewitt was taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the early 1940s (misspelled as Loren on the negative). Born in 1917, he would die tragically in a tractor accident on his farm on Mountain Brook in February 1956, leaving behind a wife and three children. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association.  

Thirty years ago today, the May 31, 1995 Catskill Mountain News reported that a 'Twister' had hit Bovina Center. Here's the article: