A Week with Bovina People - August 1901 - 125 Years ago from the Andes Recorder

 

August 2, 1901

• Robert Neal was up from Delhi Tuesday.

• Alex Hilson was at Delhi on Tuesday.

• R.R. Gladstone and wife were here Tuesday.

• John G. Russell went to Walton on Wednesday.

• J.W. and F.R. Coulter visited Delhi Tuesday.

• Mrs. Rabuck’s father from Saratoga is visiting them.

• Miss Cora Bell visited at Thomas Gordon’s this week.

• Robert Laing, of Andes was a Monday visitor in town.

• Robert Irvine, wife and child were visitors here Friday.

• John W. Hewitt made a trip to the County Seat Monday.

• Dr. Schumann made a professional call in this town Friday.

• Mrs. Agnes Telford and daughter were in town on Sabbath.

• Mr. and Mrs. G.D. Miller went to Oneonta Tuesday on a visit.

• Alfred Strong and George Persons of Delhi were in town Friday.

• William H. Bramley and family were up from Delhi on Sabbath.

• Mr. and Mrs. David Oliver visited their son at Hamden last week.

• It is thought that the uptown creamery will be completed this week.

• Mr. Copeland, of Alleghany Co., Pa. is visiting his sister Mrs. W.L.C. Samson.

• Miss Maggie Archibald and nephew, John Hilson, visited Delhi on Saturday.

• Among recent real estate transfers in town are Vesta A. Morgan to Flora a. Lee $450.

• David Williamson and a daughter of Robert Williamson, May Fisher and a Miss Oliver, of Delhi were in town Wednesday.

August 9, 1901

• John R. Hoy is in very poor health. [John lasted for a bit over another month, dying on September 30, 1901.]

• Gideon Miller was at Bloomville Monday.

• James A. Liddle was at Delhi Monday.

• Rev. Samson was a Bloomville Wednesday.

• Alex Burns had a cow killed by lightning last week.

• James W. Dickson, of Andes, was a Monday visitor.

• Thomas Kingston, of Delhi, was in town Wednesday.

• The Medicine Company moved to Bloomville Monday.

• S.A. Copeland, of Pittsburg, started for home Wednesday.

• Miss Mary King has hired to teach in the E.L. Coulter district.

• Gilbert J. Dickson and wife, of Albany are visiting relatives here.

• A number are attending the Pan American Exposition at Buffalo.

• Andrew Franklin and John Blake were up from Delhi on Saturday.

• Dr. McNaught, of Hobart, made a professional call in town on Sabbath.

• Thomas Gordon and wife were at the County Seat the first of the week.

• Commissioner Gow is holding teachers’ examinations at Margaretville this week.

• Rev. W.P. Miller, of Dayton, Ohio, is spending his vacation at his old home.

• David F. Hoy arrived in town Monday, called here by the illness of his father.

• Rev. G.M. Robb preached in the United Presbyterian church Sabbath evening.

• Repairs have been made on the telephone line in this vicinity during the past week.

• J.K. McDivitt preached in the school house at Lake Delaware Sabbath evening.

• J. Berkins, of New Jersey, and Mrs. Nettie Rockafeller were married at Halcottsville, on Sunday.

• Mrs. Charles Arbuckle and daughter of Trenton, N.J. are guests of relatives in town.

• Mrs. Alex Hilson and children visited her brother, James Archibald, near Treadwell this week.

• Dr. Dickson has purchased a telephone instrument from Mrs. Phinney and will go on the Main line.

• The machinery for the uptown creamery is nearly all in position and everything will soon be ready for business.

• William L. Ruff and his hired man recently drew in forty-nine loads of hay in twenty-two hours.  Who can beat that? [The Ruff farm was where the Weber farm is now located.]

• At the village school meeting Tuesday evening W.C. Russell was elected trustee for three years to succeed D.C. Worden.

• W.H. Maynard had the misfortune to have one of his heavy team horses die last week.  In the horse’s stomach was found a piece of watch chain, nails and gravel stones.

• The following are the trustees elected in town: Miller Avenue district, Frank Kinch; Armstrong district, Mariona Robertson; E.L. Coulter district, Frank Russell; J.K. Hobbie district, William Fredenburgh; Forest Brook, George Cable; Lake Delaware, J.K. Russell; Biggar Hollow, J.C. Mabon; Maynard district, A.A. Johnson; Pink Street, John Storie; Butt End, John H. Johnson.

• Here is something that ought to appeal to everyone who has any one who are near and dear to them buried in the cemetery in their own town. Is it right that the last resting place of the dead be entirely neglected and allowed to over run with grass and weeds and the stones allowed to lay after they are broken and fall over?  Does the memory of the departed ones never come in to the minds of those that are left here?  For humanity sake and the sacred memory of the loved ones try and remedy this neglect.

August 16, 1901

• John E. Gladstone has been in town this week.

• John Oliver visited the County Seat Saturday.

• Thomas and Maggie Archibald visited Delhi Monday.

• Miss Kate Muller visited her sister at Andes Saturday.

• Fitch McPherson has been having his house repainted.

• Work was commenced Monday on the Centre creamery  [August 12].

• Mrs. Findlay McFadden, of Walton, has been visiting in town.

• William H. Maynard was at Union Grove the first of the week.

• Lou Cooper and family, of Scotch Mountain were here Sunday.

• Miss Alice Oliver arrived home Saturday from Deposit for a visit.

• Mrs. J.L. Hughes, of Andes, was a visitor here Friday and Saturday.

• Frank Miller and David H. Murray of Andes, were seen in town Saturday.

• Alex Hilson and Elliott Thomson went to Scranton Friday on the excursion.

• Misses Nettie and Kate Downie, of Cleveland, Ohio, are guests at G.D. Miller’s.

• Mrs. Ferris Fuller, and son from Pennsylvania, are guests at Fitch McPherson’s.

• Rev. Walter D. Strangeway will preach in the United Presbyterian church next Sabbath.

• T.W. Miller, of the Andes Recorder and son, Mural O., were in town Friday and Saturday.

• Mrs. Alex Fowler and Mrs. William McDivitt, of Andes, visited at Walter Biggar’s last Wednesday.

• W.E. Hastings and bride will soon commence housekeeping in rooms in A.T. Strangeway’s store. [This was William E. Hastings. He married Jennie Gladstone in June 1901. The would have one child, a daughter. Jennie was widowed in 1932.]

• Morris Farrington, the Delhi photographer, was here Friday taking views of different places in town.

• Mr. and Mrs. Richard Smith went to Walton Monday. Mr. Smith contemplates going to California to spend the winter.

• Mrs. A.C. Seacord, Mrs. A.T. Doig, Miss Jane Chisholm and Miss Ella Forrest have gone to Asbury Park for a few weeks.

• Friday the Bovina ball team went to Delhi to cross bats with the Delhi team and the game resulted in favor of the latter team by a score of 7 to 8.

• Friday evening of this week a special school meeting is to be held in the Coulter Brook district to vote on the question of building a new school house.

• George Elliott, who works for W.L. Ruff, had the misfortune to cut his foot quite badly last Thursday, while splitting wood. He will probably be laid up for a few weeks.

• A basement is to be dug under the Centre school building and a furnace put in the building.  The contract for the digging and building the wall has been let to Peter McNair for $85.

• Among those in town Monday were Henry Raitt of Hamden, George Poliv and F.C. Chamberlain, of Andes, William Bramley and wife, of Delhi, Mrs. Agnes Telford and daughter, of Newburgh.

• On Monday, a partition sale was held at Delhi in the matter of the estate of George Archibald. The homestead farm was sold to Thomas Archibald for $3,000. A farm in Franklin was sold to James Archibald for $3,000 and the church shed was sold to Wm. F. Archibald for $25.

• The schools in town will be taught as follows: Lake Delaware district, Mr. Borne; Biggar district, Archie Coulter; Coulter district, Mary King; Armstrong district, Charles A. McPherson; Pink street district, John McCune; Coulter Brook district, James A. Thompson; Butt End, W.W. McNair; Miller district, Emma Campbell.

August 23, 1901

• Robert McNair was here Wednesday.

• Miss Lillian McNair, of Andes, was in town Monday.

• W.T. Miller and Jeremy Barnhart were at Delhi Monday.

• Peter McGregor, of Scotch Mountain was in this place Friday.

• Marshall H. Dean, of Margaretville, was a visitor here Saturday.

• James L. Coulter and sons were at New York city the first of the week.

• Next Sabbath Rev. W.P. Miller will preach in the United Presbyterian church.

• W.L. McPherson and W.D. Thompson were among those in town last Thursday.

• Rev. A. G. King, of Galt, Canada, has been a guest of his sister, Mrs. A. G. Thompson.

• Mrs. James R. Jack and two children, of Hoboken, N.J., were visitors at Thomas Gordon’s recently.

• G.D. Miller and wife and misses Nettie and Katie Downie and Belle J. Miller visited Delhi Saturday.

• Mr. and Mrs. Garbing, of Columbus, Ohio, who have been visiting at Rev. Samson’s, started for their home Tuesday. 

• Francis Graham returned last week from a five weeks’ visit at the Pan American Exposition and with his brother in Canada.

• Rev. Walter D. Strangeway preached in the United Presbyterian church last Sabbath morning and Rev. A.G. King, in the evening.

• Among those in town Monday were Andrew Liddle, Alden Liddle, George Connor, Ed Graham, of Andes, O.S. Nichols and wife of Delhi.

• The ball game Saturday between Bovina and Delhi teams resulted in favor of Bovina by a score of 11 to 9.  Quite a number of Delhi people were up to witness the game.  

• Mrs. Margaret Forrest, widow of the late Thomas Forrest, died at the Middletown State Hospital, Tuesday, August 20, in the 72d year of her age.  She was sent to the asylum in 1879.  The funeral will be held here to day (Tuesday).

• At the special school meeting in the Coulter Brook district last Friday evening [August 16] both those for and against a new school house had their forces marshaled and the result was a tie vote.  The result will probably be that the Commissioner will condemn the old shell of a building now in use.

August 30, 1901

• Robert Foreman was down at Delhi Monday.

• John Oliver made a trip to Delhi on Monday.

• William Russell was at Bloomville Saturday.

• A number attended the Shavertown fair this week.

• Margaret Hoy has rented her farm to a Mr. Loudon.

• Miss Mina Cooke will teach in the Maynard district.

• Will Robertson was in this place from Andes Saturday.

• H.J. Hewitt and W.H. Eells were up from Delhi Monday.

• James Turnbull and Ed Graham, of Andes, were here Monday.

• Harrison Gladstone and wife passed through this place on Sabbath.

• Mr. and Mrs. George Gladstone visited relatives at Andes this week.

• Leonard Sloan, wife and daughter, of Bloomville, visited here on Sabbath.

• W.L. White took first premium on farm horses at the Margaretville fair last week.

• David Draffin has purchased of W. L. Ruff the farm in the upper part of the town recently rented by Sylvan LeFever.  [Dave Draffen was Sylvan’s brother-in-law.]

• William Armstrong and wife, Bessie Armstrong, Lizzie Burns and Gertie Robertson have gone to Milford to pick hops.

• At the Margaretville fair William Maynard’s fine horse, “Reputation” in the County race, won first money, $50. Time 2.59

• Miss Cara Sherman, of Davenport, has been secured as Primary teacher in the Centre school. School will begin Monday.

• Misses Nettie and Katie Downie, who have been guests at G.D. Miller’s, started this week on their return to their home in Cleveland, Ohio.

• Monday John Blair and Frank Graham went to Delhi quoits with Will Mable and Dan Shaw. The Bovina players won by a score of 9 to 7.

• It is stated that the milk from E.T. Gerry’s farm at Lake Delaware will soon be shipped to New York every day for use in the Gerry household.

• The stockholders of the up town creamery has elected W.L. White, W.L. Ruff, Richard and Russell McFarland and W.H. Maynard directors; and the directors have chose W.L. White president and manager of the company.

Needle in her Foot.

For some time Mrs. Joshua Hobbie, who resides in the upper part of Bovina, has been suffering severely with swollen foot, it was thought she would have to go to the hospital and undergo an operation.  Last week she was rubbing the afflicted member when she felt something sharp in the foot and called to others of the family and an examination showed that the point of a needle protruded and when pulled out by Mr. Hobbie it was found that with the exception of being broken at the eye the needle was intact.  How the needle got there is a mystery, as Mrs. Hobbie has no recollection of ever running a needle into herself.  She still has a very bad foot.

Another Pleasant Time.

The Misses Cora Armstrong and Edith Wight, of Andes, spent last Thursday and Friday with relatives in Bovina.  On Thursday they had the pleasure of meeting some of Bovina’s young people at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James E. Hastings.  The party was pleasantly entertained throughout the evening by music, games, etc.  After refreshments were served and all had partaken bountifully of the repast, a recitation was pleasingly rendered by Miss Lamb.  The young people then returned to their several homes, much pleased with the evening’s enjoyment.  

Bovina, August 26, 1901.

A Cold Reception.

A Bovina correspondent writes:  In the year 1816 there was frost and ice every month in the year.  Some who arrived at Catskill on July 4, from Scotland, could skate stones across the river on the ice.  A pretty cold reception to a new country, but they had the stamina of the sturdy Scot in them and quailed not at this but struck deeper into the wilderness.

August 1926 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

August 6, 1926

• Mrs. Georgia More, of Stamford, is a guest at Harry Robinson’s.

• Mr. and Mrs. James A. Gow spent last week with their two sons in Endicott.

• Mrs. Charles Wingard, of Scranton, Penn., is visiting her cousin, Mrs. Milton Stratton.

• Ralph Tuttle, son of Ellsworth Tuttle in Tuttle Hollow, had his hand severely torn by a horse jerking the chain halter shank thru it.

• E.M. Lyon, who works on the town highways, had a bolt driven thru his arm last week. He was dumping a load of stones from a Ford truck, when it came down on his arm.

• The newly elected officers of the Lake Delaware community Club are George Bye, president; Frank Graham, vice president; James Patterson, treasurer; Mrs. James Patterson, secretary.

• We understand that Mr. Cobbe, of Walton, has taken the contract to erect a new barn on the S.G. Bramley farm to replace the one burned July 23. It is stated that the building is to be up in a month. 

August 13, 1926

• Ledger Myers is visiting relatives at Binghamton.

• Mrs. Addie Cowan is moving to her house in the village.

• Harold Kern, of Buffalo, is a guest at the Dickson home.

• Mrs. Ruland, of Jefferson, has been visiting her daughter, Mrs. Ralph Barnhart.

• Charles Hobbie, of Binghamton, has been visiting his sister, Mrs. William Archibald.

• Mrs. Bertha Stewart and children, of Long Island, is visiting her father, A.B. Phyfe.

• James Hilson and John Armstrong went to Cortland last Thursday after a part for Hilson Bros. truck.

• Rev. W.L. C. Samson, a former pastor of the U.P. church, has arrived in town to spend his vacation.

• Mrs. Craig will open a blacksmith shop here. He will move his family to rooms in William Boggs’ house.

• Dr. Jardine Hafele and family, from Canada, have been visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Hafele.

• William Aitkens and wife, of Elmhurst, Long Island, are visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Aitkens.

• Miss Ruth Coulter and Miss Elizabeth Strangeway arrived home Saturday from their trip to Seattle, Washington.

• William Gordon and Lauren Dickson started Wednesday on a business trip to Florida. They make the trip by auto.

Native of Bovina. E.C. Dean Passed Away at Delhi on August 8, aged 71

Edward C. Dean, of Delhi, died of paralysis early Sabbath morning, August 8. Funeral services were held on Tuesday afternoon. Interment was in Bovina beside the body of his wife, who died about 10 years ago.

Mr. Dean was born in Bovina 71 years ago, the son of John and Elizabeth (Johnson) Dean and spent his early life in the township. He was at one time supervisor from the town. About 33 years ago he moved to Delhi and engaged with his brother-in-law, the late William H. Bramley, in the coal and feed business, the firm name being Dean & Bramley. Mr. Dean was formerly prominent in the affairs of the Methodist Episcopal church, but later changed his membership to the Second Presbyterian.

He is survived by one daughter, Mrs. Harper, and two grandsons.

Coulter Reunion

The eight annual reunion of the descendants of Francis and Nancy Coulter will be held at D.W. Coulter’s in Walton, Wednesday, August 18, 1926. Each family please bring sandwiches and one other article, also dishes for family. Ruth Coulter, Sec.

August 20, 1926

• Miss Caroline Dickson is home from Ithaca.

• Miss Shirley Miller, of Walton, is visiting relatives in town.

• Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Filkins and Miss Stevens, of Syracuse, spent over Wednesday night in town.

• John Grieg, the new blacksmith, moved his family from Chatham this week to W.S. Boggs’ house.

• Mrs. Alex Hilson and daughter, Miss Jane, arrived home from their western trip of five weeks on Monday.

• A good many went to Walton on Wednesday to attend the Coulter reunion. Over one hundred were present.

• The Bovina town picnic will be held Thursday, August 26. The Andes Band will furnish music. There will be a parade.

• Mr. and Mrs. Wilber Archibald, who have been attending summer school at the Albany Normal College, arrived home Saturday.

• The Graham reunion was held at the home of Harry Robinson on Wednesday. In spite of the rain there was a good attendance.

• Emory Wilber and Mr. and Mrs. John Nichol, and Miss Jennie Taylor of Worcester, spent the first of the week with Mrs. John Thomson. 

August 27, 1926

• Mrs. M.M. Boggs, of Albany, is visiting relatives in town.

• John Doig, of Delhi, is visiting his sister, Mrs. T.C. Strangeway. [Mrs. Strangeway was the former Margaret Jane Doig. John and Margaret were children of Walter A. Doig and Margaret Armstrong. John died in 1933 and Margaret in 1936.]

• Misses Rose DeSilva and Evelyn Liddle had their tonsils removed last week at Delhi.

• Bovina real estate transfers recorded are Executor of Adelbert W. Baker to Federal Land Bank of Springfield, $50.

• James Frisbee and daughter, Miss Jennie, and Miss Sarah McMullin, of Delhi, were callers in town Wednesday.

• Mr. and Mrs. Frank Myers and his sister, Mrs. William Thomson, from Endicott, visited their parents over Sabbath.

• Rev. W.L.C. Samson preached in the U.P. church Sabbath evening. He returned to his home in Pittsburg this week.

• Mrs. H.B. Schloss and three children, of Walton, have been visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.B. Smith in upper Bovina. [Mrs. Schloss was the former Helen Smith. Her parents were Wallace and Hattie (Redmond) Smith. She was married in 1921 to Horace Schloss. Helen died in 1990.]

• William Gavett, of Delhi, was severely scalded by steam Tuesday while employed at the Bovina Center Co-operative Creamery.

• Miss Lulu Hastings, daughter of Elmer Hastings, was married in New York City on August 25. The groom is from Saranac Lake. [Lulu married H. Putnam Fischer. She was widowed in 1933. For several years, she was the director of Nursing at Homer Folks hospital in Oneonta. She died in Saranac Lake in 1968.] 

• Mrs. Charles Scovel and two children, of Long Island, are visiting her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Decker. Mrs. Scovel and daughter were taken ill a few days after their arrival. One doctor says it is measles and another insists that it is scarlet fever. The little son of Arthur Decker has now taken the disease. 

Taken to Hospital

Mrs. Alonzo Tuttle, of Lake Delaware, who has been in declining health for the past two years, was taken to the State Hospital at Binghamton recently for treatment. [Mrs. Tuttle was the former Martha Jane Redmond. She died in March 1927.]

This Day in Bovina for July 2026

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

144 years ago today, on July 1, 1882, the Delaware Republican reported that "Andrew Brown, of Bovina, has been making a six weeks trip through the west, visiting his sons in Iowa and relatives in Michigan. He returned last Saturday." Andrew was born in Bovina in 1816. He was married twice and was the father of about 15 children, many of whom died in childhood. The sons he was visiting in Iowa were likely James and Andrew, sons from his first marriage. Andrew died a little over a year after his trip west in November 1883 from blood poisoning caused by a hog bite.

Forty-six years ago today, the July 2, 1980 Stamford Mirror Recorder included this item in the Bovina column, written by Ann Cairns: 

138 years ago today, the Bovina column of the July 3, 1888 Stamford Mirror reported that "Henry Brush, of Wisconsin, son of Alex. Brush a former resident of this town, is visiting relatives here." I think this is John Henry Brush, son of Alexander Brush, Jr and his second wife Janet Murray. Henry was born in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin in 1863.

200 years ago today, on July 4, 1826, was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence. Bovina, like many communities, held celebrations of this event. More information about the Bovina celebrations can be found at the Bovina NY History blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2015/08/celebration-at-bovina-1826.html It also was on July 4, 1826 that founding fathers John Adams and Thomas Jefferson both died. 

145 years ago today, on July 5, 1881, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror, "during a heavy storm of wind and rain, just before night, while Duncan Ballantine's team was being driven home from Strangeway's to Andes, a poplar tree was blown over and one of the limbs struck just between the team and the driver, breaking the wagon pole off, but doing no injury to either the man or the team, while the top of the tree struck in front of and around the team."

Eighty-six years ago, on July 6, 1940, as announced in the Delaware Republican, "the appraisal of the estate of the late William T. Miller.." was held. The appraisers were John Thompson and Maurice Hall. Miller died the previous month in Bovina at the age of 70. He was a widower, his wife having died in 1926. He was the last surviving child of Michael Miller and Sally (McCune) Miller. And he was my great great uncle. 

 

143 years ago today on July 7, 1883, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror, George Cable won the Bovina glass ball shooting match. "This badge is a gold one of beautiful design, and is contended for at each meeting by members of the club." Glass ball shooting originated in the mid 1860s.

Eighty-three years ago today, the Bovina column in the July 8, 1943 the Delaware Republican reported "Funeral services for Mrs. Everett Jocelyn, who died at the Delhi Hospital on Thursday night, were held at the home here on Saturday afternoon…Burial was made at Halcottville. Mrs. Charles Hyatt and sons Ralph and Everett of New York City attended the funeral but had to return to New York on Saturday evening as both boys are in the armed services and had only a 24-hour leave." Mrs. Jocelyn was born Martha Drace and was 17 years older than her husband. They were married in 1910. Everett was her second husband.

Forty-one years ago today, the July 9, 1985 Daily Star carried this article about Enid Carter, who was retiring as a home economics teacher. 

Ninety years ago, the July 10, 1936 Binghamton Press reported on the plans to flood "eighteen hamlets" as part of New York City's plan to use water from the East Branch of the Delaware. The article noted that "beginning at Little Delaware, establishment of a reservoir would flood out the Hook and Bovina Center."

Walter Coulter was born 209 years ago on today July 11, 1804, on the family farm on Coulter Brook Road. He was the son of Francis Coulter and Nancy Glendenning and would spend his whole life in Bovina, farming on what is now Seedorf Road.  He married Margaret Storie in 1823.  They would have 12 children, of whom four would die before reaching adulthood.  His wife died in 1864.  Walter died in December 1876 after having been declared insane a few months before.

150 years ago today, the July 12, 1876 Delaware Gazette reported the tragic death of Edward Seacord on July 3, who "was fatally injured by the falling of heavy timbers on his head from the loft of his barn." The article went on to report "Mr. Seacord was engaged in re-silling his barn, in company with four other persons, at the time. The heavy sleepers of the upper-loft, on which there was about a ton of hay, became loosened, probably by the spreading of the frame, and fell, injuring Mr. Seacord so that he survived but about one hour after the accident. The skull was no doubt fractured, as, after being restored to consciousness, vomiting followed until his death."

105 years ago today, on the morning of July 13, 1921, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Charles A. McPherson was coming to the creamery" when "the hold back strap broke on the Myers pitch and let the wagon onto the horse." He was able to stop the horse near Hilson's store. The paper noted that he did this "without colliding with any of the numerous teams and no damage was done."

115 years ago today, on July 14, 1911, as later reported in the Andes Recorder "… a terrific hail storm swept over the greater part of the town of Bovina and did much damage. Corn was stripped of leaves, oats and buckwheat were irreparably damaged. Gardens were in some instances nearly ruined. The storm lasted nearly half an hour and the hail was like peas. Heaps of them remained unmelted the next morning. Lightning struck a maple tree at J.W. Coulter's."

108 years ago today, July 15, 1918, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Herbert White, of Delhi, was here … making repairs to a machine at the Dry Milk plant." This image of the creamery was taken by Jim Hilson in 1943. The Dry Milk Plant is the building with the smokestacks just behind the main creamery. 

This chauffeur license image of Earl Miller was taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s. Chauffeur licenses were required for anyone driving for hire or as part of their job. Today this is known as a Class E license in New York. Earl Miller grew up on what later became Suits-Us Farm, the son of John M. Miller and Bertha Anderson. He was a veteran of the first World War. Earl lived in the lower Hudson Valley later in his life and died in Walton in 1955 at the age of 68. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

125 years ago today, on July 17, 1901, John Phyfe died in Bovina at the age of 83. He was born in Fofar, Scotland and came to Bovina in 1843. John was a tailor by trade and had held the office of Justice of the Peace for many years. He was buried in Bovina.

117 years ago today, on July 18, 1909, Mrs. Thomas Downie died at her home in Cleveland, Ohio. As later reported in the Andes Recorder, "she had been in failing health for some time." The paper also noted that "Mr. and Mrs. Downie were former residents of Bovina, but went west many years ago." Mrs. Downie was born Janet Downie in Scotland and was a first cousin of her husband. She was married to Thomas in 1866 in Bovina. They left for Cleveland later that year. Janet is buried in Cleveland.

177 years ago today, the July 19, 1849 New York Tribune reported on several Anti-Rent meetings in the Delaware County area, including one in Bovina.  A resolution was passed at this meeting, that read in part: "That we consider the tenants the only true possessors, and that our possession should never inure to the benefit of the landlord who fraudulently imposed his leases upon us; and that, in order to bring this cause speedily to an issue, we call upon those who have it in charge to forward the aforenamed suit as speedily as possible, in order to determine us in our course and quiet the minds of so large a community." The resolution went on state that "we, the injured, defrauded and oppressed people will wage perpetual warfare against that accursed system, until it is eradicated root and branch, and call upon every well-wisher of society, every lover of liberty, and every officer wielding influence, either Executive, Legislative or Judicial, to aid us in the just cause we have commenced."

124 years ago today, on July 20, 1902, Bovina was hit with a heavy storm. John Blair, on the farm now owned by Jack Burns, sustained the greatest damage.  Evergreen and other trees were torn up.  G.D. Miller's butcher shop was literally torn to pieces.  The Andes Recorder reported that "In the village trees were blown down and some of the school house roof and chimney were smashed. In other parts of the town there was also a lot of damage."

Fifty nine years ago today, July 21, 1967, a cloud burst caused considerable damage to the roads on Bramley Mountain. As later reported in the Walton Reporter, "Clark Lay, Bovina highway superintendent and his men, had a big job of replacing water courses along the road and restoring driveways, but early this week he was pretty much on top of the job with a big assist from county highway workers who turned out to help him Monday."

128 years ago today, the July 22, 1898 Bovina column of the Andes Recorder reported that "The weather the past week has been very close and hot. Rain is much needed." The Bovina correspondent also noted that "some have finished haying, and have a big crop. Most of the barns are not large enough and stacking has had to be resorted to."

Eighty-seven years ago today, on July 23, 1939, as later reported by the Delaware Republican, "Craig Banuat and sister, Miss Mary and Mrs. W.J. Storie and daughter, Rae, left….on a motor trip to California. They expected to spend Monday night with Mr. and Mrs. Milton Hoy in Oil City, PA."

It was 50 years ago today, July 24, 1976, that the Town of Bovina celebrated the nation's  Bicentennial. Pictures and the story of the day are in my blog at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2016/07/bovina-celebrates-bicentennial-of.html  

This undated view shows what is now County Route 6 less than a mile from the Bovina Center hamlet. The house and barn in the image are still standing, so you should recognize this the next time you are traveling from New Kingston towards Bovina Center! 

Eighty-nine years ago today, on July 26, 1937, Courtney Currie (1906-1977), who worked at the Bovina Center Co-operative creamery, had his arm broken twice at the wrist.   He worked in the dry milk plant and caught his sleeve in a piece of machinery at the plant.  Courtney was in the hospital until August 14.

123 years ago today, on July 27, 1903, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "David F. Hoy and family started ... for their home in Ithaca.  Mr. Hoy’s duties as registrar will soon engage his time, preparing for the opening of Cornell University." More about David Hoy is on my blog at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2014/10/david-fletcher-hoy-give-my-regards-to.html

115 years ago today, the July 28, 1911 Bovina column of the Andes Recorder reported that "Richard Smith, for many years a shoemaker here, died recently in California." Smith was born in England in 1827 and came to the United States in 1852. He was in Bovina for many years and didn't go to California until late in life. He and his wife went to Walton in 1905 to visit their children. Richard went to California at the end of 1905 to spend the winter. At some point, his wife followed. She died in California in 1908. Richard died in Santa Ana, California on July 11, 1911.

139 years ago today, on July 29, 1887, Charles Loughran Dickson, better known as Loughran Dickson, was born, the son of Dr. Gilbert Dickson and Jane Loughran Dickson. He was 25 when his father died in 1912. Loughran was appointed the postmaster for Bovina Center in 1915. He continued to be the postmaster even after he left Bovina to go to Yale Law School. He was living in Binghamton working as an attorney when he died suddenly in October 1927. His mother was appointed as acting postmaster the day after his death. Loughran is buried in the Bovina Cemetery.

Seventy-two years ago, on July 30, 1954, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, "The Ladies Auxiliary of the Bovina Fire department, who marched for the first time wearing their new uniforms at the Old Home day in Unadilla July 30, were honored by receiving first prize in appearance. This is Peg Robson modeling the new uniform. 

Eighty-seven years ago today, on July 31, 1939, as later reported in the Delaware Republican Bovina column, "Misses Marjorie Russell and Eleanor Burns and nephew and Rev. H.H. McClellan went to New York on Monday afternoon. They expect to attend the World's Fair. Miss Russell will go to Manhasset, L.I. to visit Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Thompson. The others will go on to Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. after which they will attend the New Wilmington Missionary Conference." Eleanor Burns later became Eleanor Archibald when she married Marvin Archibald. 

A Week with Bovina People - July 1901 - 125 Years ago from the Andes Recorder

The pages of the Andes Recorder from 125 years ago reported the following happenings in the town of Bovina in July 1901.

July 5, 1901

• John W. Blair was at Andes Saturday.

• John K. Russell was up from Delhi Monday.

• Milton Doig began carrying the mail Monday.

• William Ruff was down at Delhi on Monday.

• R.P. Cormack was here from Delhi Thursday.

• Rev. M.P. Williams was a Delhi visitor Thursday.

• Miss Lillian Miller was here from Andes Monday.

• G.D. Miller and wife went to Walton Wednesday.

• Mrs. Duncan Campbell has been visiting Walton this week.

• Jacob Pintoff has been in town delivering enlarged pictures. [Pintoff was a photographer from Philadelphia.]

• Otis McCumber and family were here celebrating the Fourth.

• Mrs. (Rev.) W.P. Miller, of Dayton, Ohio, is visiting in this vicinity. [Mrs. Miller was the former Ada Gertrude Chipman, a native of Ohio. Rev. Miller was the grandson of early Bovina settler David Miller. He died in Arizona in 1905. His widow survived him for 35 years, dying in Ohio in 1940.]

• Miss Mary Phinney visited relatives at New Kingston, the past week.

• George Hunger and family, of Colchester were in town Wednesday

• Floyd, the creameryman was in town the first of the week, also Charles Broughton and Mr. Peck.

• Mr. and Mrs. James H. McMurray, of Ginnell, Iowa, are visiting in town. It is 25 years since he visited the east. [James was from the Kortright area.]

• The coming fall George D. Robertson will move to New Kingston, having rented the Matthew Stanley farm at the head of that valley.

• Alex Hilson was at Walton Tuesday to meet Mrs. Hilson and son, James, who have been in New York for two or three weeks, where the boy was operated upon for a gathering back of the ear. [A gathering was essentially a lump. James worked with his brother John and later nephews Alex and John Hilson at Hilson Brothers. He was seven when he went to New York. James died in 1984 when he was 89.]

• Among those at Hobart last Thursday to attend the funeral of Mrs. J.S. McNaught were, Mrs. John R. Hoy, and daughter Jennie, Mr. and Mrs. Milton R. Hoy, Mr. and Mrs. W.H. Maynard and Edwin Scott and daughter. [See obituary notice below.]

• Miss Jennie Hastings is home from the Oneonta Normal; Miss Jennie Campbell from teaching at Hobart; Miss Anna Phyfe from teaching at Dolgeville and Miss Bertha Phyfe from Delaware Academy.

• Mrs. Robert B. Jardine died Saturday at her home near the head of Glenburnie, aged about 48 years. Five years ago she was taken with creeping paralysis which gradually grew worse and the past two years she has been unable to help herself nor speak above a whisper and for some time past has been unable to even whisper and finally could not swallow and virtually starved to death. The funeral was held Tuesday, Rev. T.M. Slater officiating, and interment was made in the Bovina Cemetery. 

Mrs. J.S. McNaught Dead

June 25 occurred the death of Mrs. J. S. McNaught, at Hobart after an illness lasting over a year. Helen Hoy was born in Washington county in 1824 and soon afterwards her parents moved to Bovina, where she lived until her marriage to Dr. J.S. McNaught in 1847, and they soon afterwards moved to Hobart. She leaves besides her husband, two sons and a daughter – Frank, a doctor at Denver, Colorado; D.M. of Kingston, and Miss Elizabeth, who lived at home. The funeral was held Thursday and the interment made in the Locust Hill cemetery at Hobart.

July 12, 1901

• H.J. Hewitt, of Delhi, was in town Monday.

• James Arbuckle was up from Delhi Saturday.

• John W. Blair and wife were at Delhi Saturday.

• J.D. Burns was over at Margaretville on Wednesday.

• Born to Mr. and Mrs. Gideon Miller, Thursday, July 4, a son.

• John Scott, of Fall Clove, was a visitor in this place Saturday.

• John A. Kemp, of Delhi, was among those in town on Tuesday.

• Jack Davidson and wife and Will Bill, of Delhi were in town on Saturday.

• A brother and two sisters of Mrs. Rabuck have been visiting them this week.

• W.E. Hastings and bride returned Saturday from the Pan American Exposition.

• Walter Phyfe’s son, of Delhi, who has been visiting in town returned to his home Saturday. [The son likely was Granger Phyfe. Sadly, he died in 1905 in Millerton, NY, where the Phyfe’s were living. He was 17. Walter was born in Bovina. He became a doctor and settled in Columbia County. Widowed in 1923, he died in 1929.]

• Will Crosier and wife, Mrs. Belle Hendrix and Miss Etta Hendrix were at Delhi Thursday.

• Frank Graham left Wednesday to visit the Pan American Exposition at Buffalo.  He will also spend some time visiting relatives in Canada before his return.

• A meeting was held Wednesday evening [July 10] and it was decided to build a cooperative creamery at the Centre, and it is expected that it will be in running order by September 1st.  Douglas Davidson, W.A. Hoy and Robert Thompson were elected trustees for the first year.  

• The Fourth passed off without mishap last Thursday [July 4] as advertised only the pig would not run.  R.E. Bergman gave an excellent address and held the close attention of the audience.  Some of the contests were close and exciting.  A number from out of town were here to witness the events. The following are some of the winners: 440 yard dash. Will Thompson, 1st; e. Redman 2d; J.K. McDivitt 3d; Bicycle race, Claud E. Erkson 1st; Robert Hunt 2d; Will Maynard 3d. Boys bicycle race, James McNee 1st; John Gladstone 2d; Running Jump, J.K. McDivitt 1st; Charles Thompson 2nd; Milton Hastings 3d. Shot put: Milton Hastings 1st; George Elliott 2d; E. Bergman 3d. 100 yard dash, Milton Hastings 1st: ---- Blackman 2d; J. K. McDivitt 3d. Sack race, --- Blackman 1st; Will Thompson 2d; James McNee 3d. Smoking contest, Peter Robson 1st; Will Armstrong 2d.

July 19, 1901

• Rev M.P. Williams was at Delhi last Thursday.

• William Smith, of Walton, was in town Sabbath.

• Ad Maxwell and the agent for the Osborne mowers were here Tuesday.

• Mrs. James L. Ormiston and children arrived in town on Friday for a visit.

• Mr. and Mrs. E.A. Worden, of Andes, were among visitors in town Wednesday.

• Henry Thompson and wife visited his parents Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Thompson Saturday.

• Alex Johnson, of Delancey, brother of the late Thomas H. Johnson, has been in town.

• The new creamery will be located on Alex Hilson’s flat and will be 28 x 60 feet and two story.

• Jennie Miller has been having part of her house in this village reshingled. M. and G.D. Miller did the work.

• Rev. Robb, former pastor of the Reformed Presbyterian church here, and family are stopping at D.J. Miller’s.

• Mrs. Martha Gillie, widow of “Sandy” Gillie, for many years court crier, died at her home at Lake Delaware Friday July 12, at the age of 90 years.  She was the oldest resident of the town.  The funeral was held at the house Monday at 11 o’clock, Rev. Samson officiating.  Interment in the Bovina Centre cemetery. [Martha was born Martha Lewis in 1810. Married to Alexander Gillie in 1838, she had four children. Her son William was a fatality of the Civil War, dying in Washington, DC in 1863. She was widowed in 1873.]

• John Phyfe died Wednesday morning, July 17, in the 83d year of his life.  He was born in Scotland, and had been a resident of this town for over half a century.  He was a tailor by trade and for many years held the office of Justice of Peace in this town.  The funeral will be held Friday at 11 o’clock.  His birthplace was at Foffar, Scotland and he came to Bovina in the year 1843.

July 26, 1901

• Alex Thompson was at Delhi Monday.

• David Currie was up from Delhi Saturday.

• W.T. Black was seen in town Saturday.

• Mrs. W.T. Black was up from Delhi Tuesday. [Mrs. Black was the former Isabella Irvine, aunt to Isabell Russell.]

• DeForrest’s Medicine show is here this week.

• Miss Jennie Campbell visited at Walton this week.

• Dr. Seacord and family were at Delhi Tuesday.

• Mrs. William Wight, or Delhi was in this place Monday.

• A number of farmers are going to put on lightning rods.

• John Blair and son and B.S. Miller visited Delhi Saturday.

• Mrs. John A. Irvine went to Walton Wednesday on a visit.

• Smith Hillis and wife, of Delhi were visitors in town Saturday.

• William B. Thompson is spending a week visiting at Walton.

• Henry Hogaboon had his pockets picked recently while at Coney Island.

• The first load of lumber was drawn for the creamery at the Centre on Tuesday [July 23].

• James H. McMurray and wife went to New York city on Monday for a visit.

• The foundation of the uptown creamery is completed and work has commenced on the building.

• John Thompson, wife and children, of Downsville, visited his brother, Elliott, the first of the week. 

• The creamery at the Centre will soon be commenced.  A well will be used to furnish the water supply.  

• Mrs. Copeland and Miss Grabin from the West are visiting Mrs. Copeland’s daughter Mrs. W.L.C. Samson. [Mrs. Samson was the wife of the Bovina U.P. Church pastor.]

• J.B. Hastings for three years principal at Davenport school has accepted a position as principal at High Falls.

• John P. Mabon, who for the past three years has held the principalship of a school at Woodhull has accepted a position as principal at Limestone.

• Sabbath evening while James Monroe was using the separator his little two-year-old child got one finger in the machine and the flesh was torn from it.  Dr. Rebuck was called and dressed it and hopes to save the finger. [This child probably was Martena Monroe. She later married Arthur Kellam and died in 1988.]

• Mrs. John Ogilvie, well known in these parts, died at her home in Nebraska, July 14, aged about 81 years.  Her maiden name was Phyfe and she was born in Scotland, but the greater part of her life was spent on a farm near Lake Delaware.  Several years ago with her husband she went west, where she has since resided. [Mrs. Ogilvie was the former Elizabeth Phyfe, daughter of David and Helen Phyfe. She was married to John Ogilvie in 1844. Her husband died in Imperial, Nebraska in 1892.]

July 1926 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

Life in Bovina 100 years ago this month, as reported in the pages of the Andes Recorder:

July 2, 1926

• Mrs. Newton and Benj Graham of Arkville, were callers here Monday.

• William Armstrong has had the lawn grade in front of his residence.

• Mrs. Charles Hyatt and children, of New York, are with relatives in town.

• Mrs. James A. Gow has returned home from a visit with her sister, Mrs. Forman, at the County home.

• Paul Furhman is making improvements and repairs to his residence – the former William McCune house.

• Miss Beatrice Hoy has returned home from Bainbridge, accompanied by her sister, Mrs. Harold Robinson.

• William Archibald is having a cellar dug for a new house on the site of the Methodist church, recently torn down.

• In the estate of Julia Lee, late of Bovina, the estimate is $4,000 personal. Husband, brother, nephews and nieces the heirs.

• Miss Mable Thomson, who teaches at Winsted, Connecticut, is home for the summer. Miss Jane Hilson is home from South Orange, N.J.

• Misses Carrie Dumond and Margaret Gordon went to Arkville on Thursday to take employment at the Pakatakan Country Club for the boarding season.

• Ralph Hillis, who has the former Strangeway store for a garage, has torn out the floor and filled the cellar to the street level and is putting in a concrete floor.

• Mrs. C.H. Dayton, of Peekskill, has been visiting her father, Jas W. Thomson. Two daughters of Charles, of Katona, N.Y. also were at the Thomson home.

• Several will leave next Tuesday for summer school. Professor and Mrs. Wilber Archibald and Caroline Dickson go to Albany Teachers College and principal Gilbert Banker and Mrs. Edna Tolley to the Oneonta Normal. 

Bovina Farm Sold

J. Douglas Burns, who recently sold his farm, has purchased the David J. Miller farm, which adjoins the one he sold. The farm formerly kept over 80 cows but is badly run down and the past year has been vacant. The price reported ranges from $1,500 to $2,500.

Former Bovina Doctor Dead

Dr. Charles Fisher, who was born in Meredith in 1838, died recently in a sanitorium at Bingham. During the Civil War he served as surgeon in the 70th Regiment and later with the third Brigade which was in the Wilderness campaign. After the war he practiced medicine in Bovina and in 1871 went to Bainbridge, where he conducted a pharmacy. For the past 25 years he had been an invalid. [Note, I think this is Charles Frisbee.]

July 9, 1926

• Miss Katherine Martin is visiting her aunt, Mrs. Fred Thomson.

• Lyman LaFever and sons, of Illion, are visiting his son, Benson LaFever [this should be Sylvan, not Lyman]

• Arthur Burns and family, of Kingston, were visitors here the first of the week.

• Miss Jane Archibald is home from New York, where she is employed in an office.

• Wendal Ormiston, of Hudson, has been visiting his mother, Mrs. Thos Ormiston.

• Herman Coulter, of Stamford, visited at Russell Boggs’ from Tuesday until Friday. 

• Howard Kaufman and wife, from Pennsylvania, are visiting his brother Kenneth Kaufman.

• Frank Myers and wife, and William Thomson and wife, of Endicott, were here over the Fourth.

• Miss Ruth Coulter will go to State of Washington as a delegate from Young Peoples’ Union.

• Lauren Dickson, William Gordon and Ledger Myers were at Binghamton on Wednesday and Thursday.

• Mrs. F.W. Hyatt, of Yonkers and Clarence Smith and family, from Connecticut, are stopping at John Northrup’s.

• Rev. A.M. Thomson, pastor of the Church of the Covenanters, will be absent for a month attending a Bible school.

• Mrs. and Mrs. George Archibald and daughter and his mother, Mrs. Bell Archibald, of Buffalo, have been visiting in town.

• Bovina real estate transfers recorded are James B. Lee and wife to Andrew T. Strangeway, $675; Margaret Strangeway Coulter and another; Frank T. Miller, $1; Alex Hilson, executors of, to Everett DeSilva, $1.

Burned by Firecracker

Floyd Aitkins was burned about the mouth Monday evening by a cannon firecracker. The firecracker had been lighted but only gave a puff. Young Aitkens picked it up and blew into it and the remainder of the powder flashed and struck him in the mouth. 

Will Marry July 13

Helen Gallaway, a daughter of Reb. H.K. Gallaway, a former pastor of the United Presbyterian church at Bovina, is to be married on July 13, to Raymond Walker of Jersey City at the North Hill United Presbyterian church, Akron, Ohio, of which her father is pastor. 

July 16, 1926

• Mrs. Marshall Scott, of Oneonta was a caller in town Saturday.

• Estate of A.W. Baker, late of Bovina, is estimated at $500 personal. The four children each get $100 and wife the residue.

• Dr. and Mrs. N.B. Whitcomb and children, missionaries to Egypt, who are home on a furlough, are spending the week in town.

• Mrs. A.T. Doig who was called to Walton by the death of her sister-in-law, Mrs. E.F. Thomson, will remain with her brother for a time.

• Howard Currie, the Delhi contractor is moving his crusher and mixer and preparing to put in the cellar for William Archibald’s new house.

• The over storing of milk powder at the Bovina Center plant nearly caused the collapse of the building. Fortunately it was discovered in time and the building propped.

• The old cemetery in Bovina center, in which are buried some of the earliest residents of the town, is being cleaned up. The wall has been removed and the old apple trees taken out. 

• Miss Marion McPherson of Bovina, and Miss Margaret Doig, of Delhi, went to Akron, Ohio, to be bridesmaids at the marriage of Miss Helen Galloway to Raymond Walker on July 13. 

• The following Bovina people left on Thursday for a western trip, viz: Mrs. Alex Hilson and daughter, Miss Jane, who will visit relatives in Oakland, California; Miss Ruth Coulter and her aunt, Miss Elizabeth Strangeway, whose destination is Seattle, Washington. Miss Coulter is a delegate to the Young People’s convention. 

Death in Bovina

John W. Elliott died at the home of his daughter, Mrs. William C. Burns, below Bovina Center, Tuesday morning, July 13, after a long illness. He was born in the New Kingston valley over 80 years ago and the great part of his life was spent there. A few years ago his son took the farm and he moved to Bovina, and since the death of his wife he had made his home with the daughter at whose home he died. 

July 23, 1926

• Professor and Mrs. Leon Taggart, of Oneonta, were visitors here over the week end.

• A heavy electric storm here Sabbath afternoon was accompanied by considerable hail.

• Miss Anna McFarland, daughter of Chauncey McFarland, and had her tonsils removed last week.

• Mrs. Thomas Gordon and son motored to Arkville on Sabbath afternoon to see her daughter.

• Milton Hoy and daughter, Eleanor, of Oil City, Pennsylvania, is visiting his sisters, Mrs. Davidson and Mrs. Archibald.

• The funeral of John W. Elliott was held from the U.P. church on Friday and interment made in the Bovina Center cemetery.

• Mr. and Mrs. John Armstrong and Mr. and Mrs. Lester Hoy were at the Canada Hollow Falls on Sabbath and enjoyed a lunch.

• Miss Jane Archibald, who had been spending her vacation here, returned to New York this week, spending a few days at Binghamton enroute.

• The car of Albert Lifgren was damaged Tuesday night and his leg was injured when his car collided with the bank near the foot of the Russell Road.

• Mrs. Thomas Cowan is at the home of her son, Millard Russell. After haying she and her youngest son will move to her house, the former Richard Smith place, in Bovina Center.

• In the Bovina real estate transfers is Elliott Thomson and wife to W.J. Archibald $1. This is for the building used for many years as a blacksmith shop. It was built 45 years ago and one half was used as a wagon shop by Jacob Detrick and the family lived upstairs.

A Bovina Estate

The estate of John W. Elliott, late of Bovina, is estimated at $5,000 personal. To Hale Elliott and Emily C. Burns, son and daughter, is willed each personal articles, $500 and equal share of residue, to William J. Elliott and James T. Elliott each an equal share of residue. 

July 30, 1926

• Mildred Brown, of Delhi, is visiting in town. 

• Alex Thomson was an Andes Visitor last Friday.

• Norton Forrest was a County Seat visitor Monday.

• Miss Mary Fay, of Andes, is visiting her sister, Mrs. Hugh Galland.

• Mrs. A.S. Banker and son, Gilbert, spent Saturday with her people at Pine Hill.

• The Y.P.S. of the P.P. church held a good time social at Adam Laidlaw’s Friday night.

• E.F. Thomson and Mrs. and Mrs. Archibald Thomson, of Walton, were in town on Sabbath.

• Rev. F.N. Crawford and family are on an auto trip to Ohio and will spend two weeks visiting relatives.

• Attorney C.L. Dickson, William S. Gordon and Ledger Myers were in New York City the first of the week.

• Mrs. Elliott Thomson and granddaughter, Jean Robinson, have been visiting at Delhi and Bainbridge.

• D.C. Worden has purchased what is known as the Hastings and Fuller parcels of land from Charles Russell.

• Lightning struck the house of Harry Robinson in the lower part of the village during the severe storm last Thursday and a short piece of corner board was torn off, but fortunately the building was not fired.

High Wind in Bovina – Much Damage Done Last Thursday Roofs Torn Off and Trees Uprooted

Bovina was visited by a hurricane last Thursday afternoon and much damage was done by the tearing off of roofs and blowing down of trees. Part of the roof was torn off the cheese room at the Center creamery; shingles were torn from piece of roof on barn of James Mabon. At Robert Robinson’s up Coulter Brook the entire roof was torn off his wagon house, rafters included, and the roof of his bar was damaged. Threes were torn up by the roots all over town. Loads of hay were overturned and at Alex Thomson’s his hay loader was moved some 20 rods across the field and landed right side up with no damage.

Bovina Has Fire Scare

The was considerable excitement in Bovina last Friday afternoon when the word was flashed over the telephone that the residence of Fred Bramley up Pink street was on fire. In a remarkably short time a large crowd had gathered at the Bramley home. Fortunately the house was not on fire. Mr. Bramley had been cleaning up rubbish and had put it into his furnace and set it on fire. This caused a dense smoke which settled down and enveloped the house. This was seen by a neighbor, Mrs. Lifgren, and she turned in the fire alarm to central. 

Brown-Downie

Miss Dorothy Downie and Gould Brown, both, of Oneonta, were married July 24. The bride is a daughter of James Downie, who is a native of Bovina. 

This Day in Bovina for June 2026

Here's the monthly compilation of the daily entries for June 2026 from the Town of Bovina Historian Facebook page.

111 years ago today, June 1, 1915, Mary Gordon wrote a letter from Castle Douglas, Scotland, to her brother Thomas Gordon in Bovina Center. Here's the envelope and second page of the letter, which mentions the First World War which was raging in Europe. 

Forty-four years ago today, the June 2, 1982 Walton Reporter carried this photo of the Bovina Emergency Squad. 

134 years ago today, on June 3, 1892, the Overseers of several road districts in Bovina requested that Bovina's commissioner of highways purchase a Climax Road machine for the sum of $235, to be paid in installments.

Eighty-four years ago today, the June 4, 1942 Delaware Republican carried this Bovina column.

Fifty-five years ago today, June 5, 1971, an auction was held at the home of the last Sophie Reinertsen in Bovina Center. Here's the ad for the auction from the Catskill Mountain News. 

146 years ago today, on June 6, 1880, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror, "a team of horses belonging to Wm. Archibald, managed to get loose from the sheds where they were tied while the family were attending church, and started for home, but were pursued by quite a large portion of the congregation and soon overtaken."

Seventy-seven years ago today, on June 7, 1949, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, "We are having an epidemic of pink eye in town. Many in the grade school here are afflicted."

Eighty-seven years ago today, the Bovina column of the June 8, 1939 Delaware Republican reported that "Postmaster and Mrs. Fred Thomson attended the horticultural meeting in Delhi…."

177 years ago today, the June 9, 1849 issue of the New-York Daily Tribune reported on continuing Anti-Rent activity in Delaware County, four years after the infamous shooting of Osman Steele in Andes. "Two very spirted Anti-Rent meetings have been recently held in Delaware Co. Robert Scott, Esq. presided at the Equal Rights demonstration, held in Bovina on the 1st inst. The Delhi Freeman's Advocate says the meeting was held for the purpose 'of reorganizing the town with the view of cooperating with the other towns in this county, that are laboring under the blighting curse of patroonery.'"

This chauffeur license image of Clarence Hoy was taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s. Chauffeur licenses were required for anyone driving for hire or as part of their job. Today this is known as a Class E license in New York. Clarence was born in Bovina in March,1899, the son of Arthur and Janet Hoy. He married Eva Young in 1923 in Sidney, NY. The couple lived in Delhi in the 30s and 40s, when Clarence applied for his chauffeur license. He spent his later life in the Sidney area and worked as an auto mechanic for Whitaker and Son in Sidney. Clarence was widowed in 1977 and died in July 1981 in Sidney. He is buried in Bovina. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

Fifty-nine years ago today, on June 11, 1967, Delhi Tech Professor (and Bovina resident) Gaston Pelletier gave an address at the school’s graduation ceremonies that so impressed local Congressman John G. Dow that he had it entered into the Congressional Record.

143 years ago today, the June 12, 1883 Stamford Mirror reported that "Dr. Finney [Phinney], of New Kingston, thinks of locating at Bovina." Dr. Phinney did indeed relocate to Bovina, working there until his premature death in 1901 at the age of 51.

This postcard from Bovina dates from 1933, but note that the image probably isn’t from Bovina but a generic image. The “Greetings from BOVINA, N.Y.” is obviously stamped on the card. The post card, postmarked in 1933, was sent to Mrs. Wendell Salton of Downsville. Mrs. Salton was the former Margaret Tibitts and was the second wife of Wendall Salton. Margaret was a schoolteacher for many years. She died in 2000. 

107 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 and was Bovina's last surviving World War One veteran.

These images of Harold Cole were taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s/early 1940s. Harold was born in 1898 in Saugerties, the son of Andrew Cole and Lillian Myer. He married Alida Wormuth in 1916. They lived for a while in the Town of Colchester but by 1925 were living by Silver Lake on what is now Route 28. Known then as Lake Mohican, he farmed there until he retired, when he turned his efforts to operating the lake as a resort. He also drove a school bus and was a custodian at the Andes Central School. Harold died in May 1960, after a short illness. Images courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

131 years ago today, on Sunday, June 16, 1895, Bovina saw a weekend of burglaries. It started the evening before when Homer Burgin's home on present day Route 28 was entered.  The following morning, while the William Forrest family was at church, two burglars entered his house and took his gun and a number of other things.  That evening, burglars entered Francis Coulter's house on Coulter Brook. While rummaging through the house, they awoke Mr. Coulter and fled.  Coulter found his pants dropped on the veranda.  It is likely, though not definite, that all these burglaries were done by the same people.  I never found any evidence that the perpetrators were caught.

183 Years ago today, on June 17, 1843, the commissioners of highway of the Town of Bovina received an application to alter a highway from Alexander Storie:  "The undersigned resident of the said town and liable to the assessed for highway labour therein hereby makes application to you the said commissioners to alter the highway in said Town Commencing at the old road on the line between Priscilla Carman and William Jobson and running a northeasterly course through said Jobsons land to the Stamford town line (which said highway will pass through the improved lands of said William Jobson who does not consent to the laying out of the same)."

Where this is located, I'm not exactly sure, but I think it's the upper Pink Street area. 

A few days later, twelve men were brought in to hear the case for and against laying out this highway and agreed that it was necessary to do so.  William Jobson's objections (whatever they were) essentially were overruled.

117 years ago today, the Bovina column in the June 18, 1909 issue of the Andes Recorder reported that "Mrs. William A. Gladstone has sold her farm on Coulter Brook, known as the Robert R. Scott farm, to Emile Snyder (sic), of South Kortright, and he is moving onto it this week.  The sale includes the stock and farm machinery, etc.  The price paid was $4,250." This was the farm of Emil Schneider. Schneider died in 1965. He was the father of three sons and a daughter, Lillian, who married Alex Hilson.

149 years ago today, the June 19, 1877 Ogdensburg Advance and St. Lawrence Weekly Democrat had this tidbit from Bovina: "Mrs. Hoy, of the town of Bovina, Delaware Co., some days ago, while asleep, swallowed a four-tooth gutta percha plate, teeth and all. Strange to say, she has, not as yet, suffered any inconvenience from the accident."

 

125 years ago, on June 20, 1901, the Bovina 'uptown' cooperative creamery was organized.  As reported in the Andes Recorder, the "creamery will be built on the Andrew T. McFarlane [McFarland] farm," now the Schumann property.  Thirty farmers were to participate.  The trustees elected were Andrew McFarland, George T. Russell and Alexander Burns. The Recorder went on to report that "[t]he contract for the building and apparatus has been let to F.B. Floyd for $4,350 and it is to be ready for business by September 1."  This creamery was organized a couple of months before the Bovina Center Cooperative Creamery was organized.  The uptown creamery building is no more, though the foundation is still identifiable. This is the only known image of that creamery. 

107 years ago today, June 21, 1919, Clifton Irvine arrived home from service in the army in the Great War. The Andes Recorder reported that "He is going back to Seattle, where he was before the war, and Lloyd Irvine and Millard Blair expect to go with him." Clifton and Lloyd were brothers and the brothers of Isabell Irvine Russell (Lloyd was her twin). Millard Blair was the brother of Helen Thompson. Clifton, Lloyd and Millard all settled in Washington State.

This image of Charlie and Agnes Seedorf was taken in 1957 at their farm on Seedorf Road in Bovina. Charlie was born in Brooklyn in 1895. A veteran of World War I, he was a funeral director for many years in Brooklyn. Agnes was born Agnes Alden. In 1916, she married Burton Tator. They would have three children, including her son Burt Tator, who lived in Bovina in the 1970s-90s. Agnes was widowed in 1935 and married Charlie in 1941. Charlie and Agnes retired to Bovina around 1950. Charlie died at his home in November 1969. Agnes died in July 1975. Both are buried in Bovina. 

121 years ago today, on June 23, 1905, William B. Thomson, the sole trustee of Bovina School District Number 1 issued this request to Bovina Town Supervisor John Irvine to pay Mina B. Cooke $25 for teaching at the Maynard School.

Sixty-six years ago today, the June 24, 1960 Walton Reporter in its Bovina column had this item: "Alan LaFever attended the Westville Air Show at Cooperstown with his uncle, Charles LaFever. Allan won a half-hour free airplane ride, which put him up in the air more than one way." The same column also carried this: "Mrs. Mary Jardine finished her term of school last week. School is now closed until she opens again for the coming year in September. I think all are in accord, Mrs. Jardine is a fine teacher and has done wonders with her group of children." The 1960/61 school year would be the school’s last one. It closed in June 1961.

Eighty-nine years ago today, June 25, 1936, Marjorie Russell received her high school diploma from Delaware Academy. 

172 years ago today, on June 26, 1854, Elizabeth Thomson Miller was born, the daughter of Thomas Miller and Elizabeth Thompson. She died at the age of 31 in December 1885 and is buried in Bovina.

176 years ago today, on June 27, 1850, David P. Stewart acknowledged a debt to William Doig of $53.93, dating from 1848, in this document, known as a chattel mortgage.  To cover the debt, he mortgaged several items from his blacksmith shop and components for a wagon being built for him by Herman Roterman, including "one running gear box and three seats of a Two Hande Plesure Wagon.."    Stewart was obligated to pay the $53.93 with interest by the 1st of August.  If payment wasn't made, the items mortgaged would become Doig's.  Note that Doig also had the option to redeem the note before the due date of August 1st if he "shall at any time deem himself insecure…"  In the days before credit cards, chattel mortgages were way to get a secured loan.

There are two possibilities as to who William Doig was.  William Doig (1809-1872), son of Walter Doig and Elizabeth Murdock, is one candidate.  The other is William S. Doig (1829-1896), son of Andrew Doig and Margaret Sanderson.  There is only one Daniel Stewart that I've found, born in 1825 and died in 1877, but there is little other information about him.  Herman Rotermund was a German born wagon maker who was living in Andes in the 1850s and 1860s.  He appears later to have gone to California.  His daughter Mary married James Coulter and is the ancestor of the Parsons and Boggs family, among others.  1850-06-27 Chattel Mortgage Stewart to Doig

175 years ago today, on June 28, 1851, four Bovina men made statements related to their unfitness for military service. Joshua Carman, age 40, had hearing issues and a problem hip joint. Walter Hamilton, age 42, ran the hotel located where Jardines house is now. He reported a knee injury from a few years previous that continued to plague him. Homer Burgin, age 33, was a farmer on present Route 28. He was not specific about his health problems, just stating that he was 'unfit for military duty on account of ill health…' Thomas Seacord, age 39, had a "weak and lame leg." All four statements were sworn before assessor Walter Stott, Jr. Two of these gentlemen, Hamilton and Seacord, would both die six years later in 1857. The other two lasted considerably longer. Carmen was 70 at his death in 1891, while Burgin was 78 when he died in 1897. 

In 1946, Delhi photographer Bob Wyer took a series of aerial pictures around Bovina in a plane piloted by Eddie Davidson. This is an image of Tunis Lake, showing the Tunis Lake Camp. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. More information and images of Tunis Lake and its camp can be found at: https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2021/09/bob-wyer-goes-to-camp-part-ii-tunis.html

 

Eighty-eight 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.