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.

A Week with Bovina People - June 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 May 1902.

June 7, 1901

• George Miller was in town Friday.

• Peter Gerry is a[t] lake Delaware for a few days.

• Rev Samson will be absent next Sabbath at Newburg.

• Arch Dickson, of Gladstone Hollow, was seen in town Saturday.

• George T. Russell and wife were at the County Seat on Monday. [George’s wife was Jennie Miller.]

• Bert White and S.T. Goodman were in this place from Andes Saturday.

• Elliott Thompson and son, William, were at Downsville Memorial Day.

• Joseph S. Raitt, of Walton, has been renewing old acquaintances in town.

• Will Fredenburg and G.D. Miller were among those at Delhi Monday.

• Mrs. Frank Myers has been at Alex. Myers’ taking care of his wife who has been ill.

• We understand that the mail route from Bovina to Bloomville has been let to Milton A. Doig.

• Communion services will be held in the United Presbyterian church the fourth Sabbath in June.

• W.H. Maynard is dealing quite extensively in horses and now has 16.  He is preparing to build a large horse barn.

• B[erry].S[haw]. Miller is attending the State Encampment G.A.R. at Rochester this week, taking J.K. Penfield’s place as commander of England Post.

• The Town Insurance company has adjusted the loss on W.J. Archibald’s house caused by the damage from being struck by lightning, at $15.

Professor Rutland Coming

Professor Rutland, the reliable optician and eye specialist, will be at the following places during the year to wit Andes, last Monday in each month. Hamden, last Tuesday of each month. Bovina Centre, last Wednesday of each month. Delhi, last Thursday of each month. Bloomville, last Friday of each month. Hobart last Saturday of each month. 

The Professor’s success even in in the most difficult cases has been phenomenal. We take from the Hobart Independent to wit: “Professor Rutland who successfully fitted so many with glasses last season in Stamford, Davenport and Kortright will be here each month. Of the 230 Prof fitted at the above named places not one [illegible] they are changed free of charge when required. This is recommendation in itself of the highest order. What he has done for others he can do for you. Give him a call. 

June 14, 1901

• Commissioner Gow went to Stamford Tuesday.

• Putting on screen doors is the order of the day.

• Frank Myers was in town the first of the week.

• Frank Graham was at South Kortright Tuesday.

• James T. McFarlane is building a new wagon house.

• William Archibald is building an addition to his barn.

• Elliott Thompson has traded his horse for a top buggy.

• Robert R. and John E. Gladstone were in town Monday.

• W.G. McNee and William Crosier were at Delhi Monday.

• Mrs. John A. Irvine and Mrs. George Cable were at Delhi Wednesday.

• Woodburn & Smyth set a monument for James B. Thompson Tuesday.

• Mr. and Mrs. Henry S. Murray were visitors here Monday from Andes.

• Born on Saturday, June 8, to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Bouton, a daughter. [This was a daughter named Mildred. The Boutons would have at least eight other children.]

• Jay Frisbee D.D.S. of Andes, was in town Wednesday.  He now makes regular trips here.

• Cards are out for the marriage of William R. Hoy, of this place, to Miss Hays, of Oil City, Pa., June 20.

• John L. Gordon and wife of New York city arrived in town Tuesday for a vacation.  He is a policeman at Old Slip precinct station. [John was the son of Thomas Gordon.]

• Saturday morning the seven weeks’ old child of Mr. and Mrs. Oscar Felton died with pneumonia after an illness of only two or three days.

• At the commencement of New York University last week Robert E. Bergman, of this town was awarded the second Sandham oration prize.

• Wilber W. McNair closed his labors as teacher in the Butt End district last Friday.  He gives good satisfaction and has just completed his second year in that district.

• Sabbath afternoon Robert Gerry at Lake Delaware had a narrow escape from injury.  As he came out of the gate onto the highway at the Gerry residence, the hub of his dog cart was struck by an automobile running at a high rate of speed, overturning the cart, and throwing Mr. Gerry out.  In falling he struck on his shoulder injuring it somewhat.  The footman who was with him had his leg badly bruised.

June 21, 1901

• Doctor Gladstone was in town Saturday.

• James Donohue was in town Monday.

• Mrs. Agnes Miller went to Hobart Saturday.

• William E. Hastings visited Delhi Saturday.

• David Craig, of Andes, was in this place Friday.

• Postoffice Inspector Wheeler was in town Tuesday.

• George Stott was in town Wednesday from Cabin Hill.

• Robert McNair, of Andes, was a visitor here Monday.

• William Crosier, wife and son were at Delhi, Tuesday.

• John Smith and son, of Walton have been visiting in town.

• John G. Russell and wife went to Oneonta, Wednesday.

• W.E. Northrup has been working at the Methodist church.

• Frank Miller and sister, of Andes, were in town Monday.

• Mrs. Mary Phinney expects to be absent from home next week.

• Leonard Sloan and John Hilson were at Bloomville Saturday.

• Thomas M. Spiers and W.B. Moore of Andes, were in town Monday.

• Alex Hilson and wife and son, James, went to New York city on Friday.

• A reception is to be held at Douglas Davidson’s Friday night for Milton R. Hoy and bride.

• Bovina is to have an old fashioned Fourth of July celebration this year.  Particulars later.

• John G. Laing, formerly of this place, is now foreman of a gentleman’s farm at West Nyack, N.Y.

• Preaching in the United Presbyterian church Thursday and Friday evenings at 7:45 and on Saturday at 1:15.

• Cards are out for the marriage of Miss Jennie Gladstone to William E. Hastings, on Wednesday, June 26.

• Among our citizens at Delhi Monday were Mrs. Phinney and son, Irving, and daughter Margaret, Robert Fiero and Peter Robinson. 

• John Blair, John Gordon, Howard McPherson, E.C. Burgin, Dr. Seacord, and W.L. Moore went to Mud Lake Tuesday on a fishing trip. 

• A lady named Brush is visiting in town this week.  Brushland was named after [Alexander] Brush, who resided on the farm now owned by W.A. Hoy.

June 28, 1901

• Will McPherson was in town Tuesday.

• John Boyd was in this place on Tuesday.

• Rev. T.M. Slater returned home Friday.

• Alex Hilson returned from the city Friday.

• Elmer Hastings was at Oneonta on Friday. 

• W.T. Black and wife were up from Delhi Sabbath.

• William Roger’s family have arrived at their summer home at Lake Delaware.

• Rev. Samson was at Andes Tuesday evening, where he gave the commencement address.

• Leonard Sloan moved to Bloomville the first of the week, where he will work in the creamery.

• Miss Elliott, of Otsego County and a lady from Oneonta have been visiting at Thomas Miller’s.

• The degree of D.D. has been conferred by the University of Wooster, Ohio, on Rev. W.P. Miller, formerly of this town.

• Miss Jennie J. Campbell, of this place won the free trip to the Pan-American Exposition offer by the Delaware Express.

• Professor D.D. Kyle assisted Rev. Samson at communion services last Sabbath and at preparatory services Friday and Saturday.

• Mrs. Andrew Anderson, of Andes, was here Saturday. Her daughter Miss Bina, who has been here some time returned home with her.

• At the last communion services five new members were received into the United Presbyterian church – three by certificate and two by profession of faith.

• At the home of J.L. Coulter Wednesday evening occurred the marriage of Miss Jennie Gladstone and William E. Hastings. The knot was tied by W.L.C. Samson in the presence of a large company. [Mr. and Mrs. Hastings had one daughter. He died in 1932 and Jennie died in 1936. They were each 63 years old when they died.]

• Last Thursday a cooperative company was organized in the upper part of the town and a creamery will be built on the Andrew T. McFarlane farm.  About 30 dairies have been secured.  The trustees elected were Andrew McFarlane, George T. Russell and Alex Burns, who will also act as a building committee.  The 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 was known as the uptown creamery and was on Bovina road just south of what is now the Schumann property.] 

• Next week Thursday Bovina will celebrate the Fourth of July in grand style.  Prizes to amount $25 are offered.  R.E. Bergman will deliver the oration.  The events will consist of quoit contest, 440 yard dash, running broad jump, bicycle race, shot put, 100 yard dash, potato and sack race, smoking contest, running high jump, greased pig, throwing hammer, ball game.  A basket picnic will be held in M.D. Miller’s grove.

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

 

Life on the streets and roads of Bovina 100 years ago this month from the pages of the Andes Recorder.

June 4, 1926

• Mr. and Mrs. James Laing, of Meridale, have been visiting relatives in town. 

• Mrs. Alex Hilson is having her residence painted. Alex Myers is doing the job.

• Miss Angelica L. Gerry has arrived at the Gerry summer home at Lake Delaware.

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

• William A. Hoy, who has been suffering from nervous trouble, was taken to the hospital at Binghamton last Friday for treatment. [Hoy survived whatever this issue was, dying in 1940.]

• Gideon Miller and wife, of Hamden, and Walter L. Gladstone, wife and daughter, of Walton, were among those in town on Sabbath.

• William Tuttle, who died at East Delhi, May 26, was born in Bovina on the farm now owned by Ellsworth Tuttle in Tuttle Hollow, 76 years ago. [This was just off Lee Hollow.]

• In the village of Bovina Center there are now living only 22 persons who were living there 45 years ago, and of these only seven were then adults, the others being young children. 

• A considerable number of the members of the R.P. church went to Walton on Sabbath to unite with Walton R.P. congregation in a pre-synodic conference. A meeting of the synod of denomination opened Wednesday.

Bovina Cauliflower Growers

Organize, Elect Officers and Adopt By-Laws for Shipping Association

A committee representing the cauliflower growers of Bovina met at the home of W.B. Smith at Bovina and drew-up a set of by-laws which will govern the activities of the Bovina Cauliflower Growers Co-operative Inc. Those present were W.B. Smith, E. J. De Silva, A.M. Thompson, M.D. Liddle, M.F. Russell and Claude Erkson representing the growers. W.J. Birdsall Department of Farms & Markets, Albany and C.G. Bradt, Farm Bureau Agent, Walton.

The purpose is to make savings in transportation and marketing. Membership will be open to all producers of cauliflower within the territory of operation which will include all growers about the Delhi shipping point. Upon joining the grower must pay a membership fee of three dollars and agree to abide by the by-laws. The association will market it under the name of Mount Pisgah Brand. A grader and loader will be employed during the shipping season only. 

June 11, 1926

• David Liddle and wife were with Andes relatives Thursday.

• Born to Mr. and Mrs. William C. Burns, June 4, a daughter. [This was Kathryn Elizabeth Burns. She married Jack Messina in 1947 and died on Long Island in 1996.]

• Grade examinations are being held this week at the Bovina Center school.

• George Lifgren and wife, of New York City, were recent guests of his parents. 

• Anthony Banuatt, on the former Oliver farm, is having his buildings painted.

• Robert Russell, of Johnson City, spent a few days with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. W.C. Russell.

• Fred Henderson, who was operated upon at the Delhi hospital a few weeks ago for appendicitis, was able to come home Wednesday.

• Mr. and Mrs. Percy Kaufman and daughter, of Yonkers, were recent visitors at the home of his brother, Kenneth Kaufman. 

• William T. Miller, Miss Bell Miller, Mrs. Sloan Archibald, Grace Cranston and George Story were among those at the County Seat on Monday. 

• Mrs. Estella Oliver, mother of Mrs. Fred Thomson, continues seriously ill at the home of her daughter, Mrs. Harry Martin, in Cannonsville. [Mrs. Oliver was the former Stella Dumond. She died a little over a year after this appeared in the news, in November 1927.]

• Rev. Elmer Russell and wife, of Superior, Nebraska, have been visiting his mother, Mrs. Hamilton Russell. He preached in the R.P. church on Sabbath morning. 

Former Bovina Man Bankrupt

Herman S. Russell of Delhi has filed a petition in bankruptcy with liabilities of $2,904 and no assets. The creditors include James A. Gow and Mrs. Carrie E. Doig, of Bovina Center, $100 each; Chris Woolheater, of Kellys Corners, $664; Morristown State Bank, Morristown, South Dakota and Keldron Lumber Company of Keldron, South Dakota, $435. [Herman was the brother of Cecil H. Russell. In 1920, he was living in North Dakota but by 1926 was in Delhi. He was in Delhi until around 1950. He died in 1971.]

June 18, 1926

• Mrs. Gideon Miller, of Hamden, was a caller here Wednesday. [Born Christiana Esther Northrup, she married Gideon in 1899. She was widowed in 1935 and remarried in 1938. She died in 1960.]

• A.P. Lee has sold his entire dairy of cows to W.D. Ceas, the Bloomville dealer. 

• The Good Cheer Sabbath School class will hold a picnic Friday at South Kortright.

• Students of the Bovina Center school enjoyed a picnic Thursday at Perch Lake.

• Mr. and Mrs. John Campbell were at Delhi last Thursday to see her sister, Mrs. Blish, of South Kortright, who was in the hospital. 

• Rev. H.K. Galloway, a former pastor of the U.P. church here, who has been at Buffalo, has become pastor of the North Hill U.P. church at Akron, Ohio.

• Mrs. John Blair and Mrs. George Decker have gone to Long Island to spend two weeks with their daughters. Mrs. Blair is at Manhasset and Mrs. Decker at Glen Cove. [Mrs. Blair was Lib Miller Blair. Her daughter was Helen Thomson, who was teaching on Long Island. Mrs. Decker I believe was the former Ada H. Tompkins and the daughter probably was Viva Decker.]

• L.D. Terry, who for several years has lived in the “cottage” on the Gerry estate at Lake Delaware, has purchased the Farrington farm above Delhi village, and moved thereto this week. 

• Mrs. Thomas Gordon spent over the week end with her son, William S. Gordon, in Brooklyn. He graduates this week from Pratt Institute and has taken a position with the New York Central Railroad. [Mrs. Gordon was the mother of long time Delhi Social Studies teacher Margaret Gordon.]

• A union meeting of the Woman’s Missionary Society and the Young Woman’s Missionary Society was held last Thursday with Mrs. C.S. Gladstone. Dr. and Mrs. N.B. Whitcomb missionaries home from Egypt on a furlough, gave interesting talks.

• The Bovina Co-Operative Fire Insurance Company have adjusted the loss on the house of John Campbell at $1,000 and $500 on contents. An assessment of $2.50 per thousand has been made on policy holders to pay the loss. Mr. Campbell will rebuild at once.

Bovina Woman Dies Suddenly

Mrs. Alphonso P. Lee died suddenly at her home on the Lee homestead in Bovina about 6 o’clock Saturday morning, June 12. She had been suffering from rheumatism for a few weeks and Friday was taken with a heart attack and a physician called and he ordered her to rest. Saturday morning while getting breakfast she was taken with a poor spell and died in a few minutes.

Her maiden name was Van Keuren and she was twice married, her first husband being a Stewart. Her age was around 67 years. Burial was at Dunraven on Monday. 

June 25, 1926

• There are at present around ten cases of measles in town.

• Children’s day exercises were held at the U.P. church last Sabbath.

• Jack Myers and friend were here on a fishing trip over the week end.

• Mrs. Bertha Miller and daughter of Walton, spent over the week end at W.T. Miller’s

• About 40 ladies spent an enjoyable day Friday with Mrs. Walter McDivitt at South Kortright.

• Miss Margaret Gordon arrived home Friday from the Albany Teachers College for the summer vacation.

• Mrs. John Hilson and daughter, Louise, James Hilson and John Blair were County Seat visitors Wednesday.

• Mrs. and Mrs. John Storie and son, George, W.T. Miller, Miss Bell Miller and Mrs. Sloan Archibald were Delhi visitors Monday.

• Miss Beatrice Hoy is at home of her sister, Mrs. Harold Robinson, at Bainbridge. Mrs. Robinson recently underwent an operation for gall stones.

• Bovina real estate transfers recorded are Eugene Quick and wife to John H. Hilson and another $1. Bovina Cemetery Association to Thomas A. Archibald, $1.

• Miss Emily Archibald, who has been teaching at Lake George, is home for the summer. Miss Caroline Dickson, who taught at Rutland, Vermont, is also home.

• Professor and Mrs. Leon Taggart and sons, Thomas and William, of Oneonta, were over the week end guests of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. T.C. Strangeway.

• Mr. and Mrs. Irwin Gruber and dauter [sic] and Mr. and Mrs. John Nicohols of Worcester, spent Sabbath with Mrs. John Nicholos of Worcester, spent Sabbath with Mrs. John Thomson, the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Nichols. 

Down the Delaware in a Canoe – From our Bovina correspondent

Frederick Muller and Laurits Neilson spent from Saturday to Monday with their classmate, William S. Gordon. They had a canoe shipped to Delhi and made the return trip down the river to their home near Trenton, N.J.

Bovina Farm Sold

The Arthur Hoy farm up Pink street was sold at executors sale Monday and was purchased by Gustave Lefgrin for $30 above the mortgage, which was about $2,300. This was formerly the Aitken farm. 

This Day in Bovina for May 2026

 

Seventy-one years ago today, on May 1, 1955, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror-Recorder, "Mr. and Mrs. Merle Galusha and sons of Scotia attended church services [in Bovina] and were dinner guests of his brother-in-law and sister, Mr. and Mrs. Craig Banuat. Other callers at the Banuat home on Sunday were Mr. and Mrs. Walter Spraig and son, Willard of Andes." Merle would die in the crash of Mohawk Airlines Flight 450 in 1972.

 

174 years ago today, on May 2, 1842, the town of Bovina issued several liquor licenses, including this one for John Seacord and Thomas Secord, "to sell strong and spirituous liquors and wines to be drunk in his present dwelling house.." The 'dwelling house' likely was the Secord hotel, which stood across from the end of what is now Maple Avenue.  

144 years ago today, the May 3, 1882 Delaware Gazette carried this notice for an interest meeting for a railroad that would have gone through Bovina. Nothing came of this particular idea - at least as far as Bovina was concerned. 

Ninety-two years ago today, the May 4, 1934 Delaware Republican carried this Bovina column.  I'm not 100% sure where the baseball diamond mentioned in the column was located, but seems very likely it was on the field next to the Bovina Center school (now the Bovina Public Library).  

Fifty-five years ago today, on May 5, 1971, Mary Burns Lounsbury died at the age of 57. Born in Bovina in 1913, she was the daughter of John and Elizabeth Burns and the sister of Agnes Burns. She married Harold Lounsbury in 1938. They lived for many years on the Burns family farm at the end of Crescent Valley Road. This undated image shows Mary with her parents, John and Elizabeth Burns, her sister Agnes with her husband Bob Burns (right) and at the left is her husband Harold.  

154 years ago today, on May 6, 1872, the Bovina Board of Excise met to review applications for licenses to sell liquor. No applications were presented. It likely is at this point that Bovina became a 'dry town' and would stay so until after the end of Prohibition.

194 years ago today, on May 7, 1832, a Bovina storekeeper created this page in his ledger for various sales to Bovina citizens. Items included tobacco, hayseed, silk, tea and calico. Morgan Livingston, who owned a chunk of Bovina as landlord, bought an axe. The 'Dr' after each name means debtor. Most of the payments are by cash but it looks like Sopher Peleg was making a payment (the 'Cr' after his name probably means credit) in butter. We do not know where this store was located because we cannot determine who kept the ledger - we only know that it was in Bovina. It possibly was a store kept by James Cowan, which stood where Russell's Store now stands. 

 

Ellen McBurney was born 200 years ago today, May 8, 1826, the daughter of Francis McBurney and Margaret Boyd. She married Andrew Boyd and would have 11 children, most of whom made it to adulthood. She was widowed in 1879 and died in February 1893. She is buried in the Bovina Cemetery.

129 years ago today, in its May 9, 1897 edition, it was noted by the Andes Recorder that five brothers were seen at the same church in Bovina. What made this so remarkable was that the youngest was over fifty years old. The paper did not note what family this was, though it could be the Miller family. At this time, the six sons of William Miller still were alive and all lived locally. Here is a picture of the six brothers. What five attended church we don't know, but William lived in Walton, Walter in Delhi and Berry Shaw in Andes. Thomas, Michael and Gilbert all lived in Bovina. 

These images of E. Ray Thomson were taken by Delhi photographer Harold McMurdy in the late 1930s and in 1940. Ray was born in Bovina in February 1895. His mother was Cora J. Thomson. Who his father was isn’t clear. On Ray's birth record, his father is recorded as Archie VanBramer, who was married to Cora in September 1894. Ray is recorded as Ray VanBramer, though later 'Thomson' is inserted in the record. When Ray was about a year old, Archie kidnapped him from his grandparents, William and Jenette Thomson, and kept him for several weeks before returning him of his own accord.  Ray was raised by his maternal grandparents, because his mother Cora was sent to the Middletown Insane Asylum when he was quite young (she died there in 1910). He was known by then as Ray Thomson. When he was married in 1916, he's Eldred Ray Thomson on the certificate and his father is recorded as "not known, adopted son."  He lived in Bovina into the 1930s, then moved to Delancey and finally in Unadilla, NY, where he died in 1975. Images courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

Eighty-two years ago today, the May 11, 1944 Delaware Republican Express carried this Bovina column. 

115 years ago today, on May 12, 1911, the Bovina column of the Andes Recorder reported that "A child was recently born to Rev. and Mrs. Robb, in China, where he is a missionary. The mother was formerly Jennie J. Campbell of Bovina." The child was a daughter, Jean Robb. Jean later married Patrick Perrone in Los Angeles. She died in LA in 1989.

Sixty-one years ago today, Bovina column in the May 13, 1965 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "The prize fisherman of the season is John Robson who caught a six pound-12 ounce trout over the week-end."

Sixty-five years ago, on May 14, 1961, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Delaware Republican Express, "We were all pleased to see Mrs. Lena Lounsbury at Church Sabbath Day, she has been in Schenectady the past few months helping care for an invalid." Lena was the mother of Harold Lounsbury. She died in 1963.

146 years ago today, the May 15, 1880 issue of the Delaware Republican reported on an article they had published called "Woman's Work in the Church," by "Mrs. Knox of New York City." The paper pointed out that the article "will attract especial attention from the fact that Mrs. Knox was a Delaware county woman, daughter of Rev. James Douglas, for many years pastor of the Bovina Associate Reformed Church, (whose doctrines were not in accordance with the views there announced,)…Mrs. Knox has also take a very prominent part in works for temperance reform, and in many other ways practically exemplified the benefits arising from the course she advocates."

Eighty-six years ago today, the Bovina column of the May 16, 1940 Delaware Republican reported that "Little Nancy Brooks spent the week-end with her great-aunt, Mrs. John Hilson and family." Nancy was the daughter of Dean Brooks and Marian Isabella Dickson. Marian's mother was Margaret Bell Strangeway, sister of Helena Hilson. Nancy was born in Delhi in 1936. Married in 1957 to Loring Hulslander, she died in Montana in 2013 and is buried in Springville Township, Pennsylvania, where she grew up.

139 years ago today, on May 17, 1887, the Stamford Mirror reported in its Bovina column that "John Hilson is improving his house by removing the old sash from the windows, and replacing them with a more modern style, each sash containing two large panes of glass."

 

In 1946, Delhi photographer Bob Wyer took a series of aerial pictures around Bovina in a plane piloted by Eddie Davidson. This is the Don Boggs farm, which later became the Howard Conklin farm, on Reinertsen Hill Road. Image courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association. 

The Andes Recorder reported 115 years ago today in its May 19, 1911 Bovina column that "There is some talk of putting in a pond on John Blair's farm on the Oliver brook and stocking it with trout." This farm is now the Jack Burns farm at the foot of Bramley Mountain. If the pond was stocked it was not reported in later editions of the paper.

 

Seventy-seven years ago today, on May 20, 1949, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News Bovina column, "The latest to buy a new car is George Storie with a Dodge sedan. Vincent Rosa is taking over the car recently owned by Storie."

 

Seventy-eight years ago today, on May 21, 1948, the Bovina column of the Catskill Mountain News reported that Mrs. Mary Gordon, who received a bad fall down a flight of stairs at her home last week, is slowly recovering. She is still lame and sore." Mary was the widow of Thomas Gordon, who died in 1921, and the mother of Delhi social studies teacher Margaret Gordon. Mary died in 1953.

130 years ago today, May 22, 1896, the Otsego Farmer (Cooperstown) carried the following item: "An exchange has it that in the town of Bovina, Delaware county, there are more abandoned farms than there were in all Delaware County ten years ago. This fact is interesting for the reason that Bovina has been called the leading dairy town in the county."  A couple of weeks later, another item appeared in the Otsego Democrat further disparaging Bovina's farms, reporting that the town "suffers more severely than its neighbors from the general agricultural depression. There are no railroads and no manufacturing industries within its limits. On the other hand there are a large number of abandoned farms in the town."

Sixty-eight years ago today, the May 23, 1958 issue of the Catskill Mountain News published an article under the headline "Bovina WAC Earns Recruiting Citation." The WAC was "Sgt/1c Helen I. Johnston, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. George Johnston of Bovina Center." She was enrolled in a "Women's Army Corps enlisted recruiting course at For Benjamin Harrison, Ind." The paper went on to report "Sgt Johnston was in competition with 38 of the recruiters stationed through the United States. She earned the award by achieving an average of 85 percent for the course." More about Helen and her remarkable career in the Army can be found on my blog at https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2022/01/bovina-ex-pats-command-sergeant-major.html

133 years ago today, the May 24, 1893 Delaware Gazette reported that "Work has commenced for the foundation for the new school house in Bovina Centre." This is the building that is now the Bovina Public Library.  

Eighty-eight years ago today, on May 25, 1938, as later reported in the Delaware Republican, "Mrs. George Miller died…at her home [in Bovina]." Born Ida Kinch, she was married to George Miller and had three children, daughters Maude and Nellie and son Clark. Clark was killed in World War I. She was survived by her husband and two daughters. Ida was the maternal grandmother of Clark Lay.

 

The Andes Recorder reported 133 years ago today in its May 26, 1893 issue that "Richard Johnson of Bovina this season made 318 gallons of heavy maple syrup from 700 trees. This is equal to 2,544 pounds of sugar."

 

Seventy-seven years ago today, the Bovina column in the May 27, 1949 Catskill Mountain News reported that "Paul Rosa is moving this week to his new home on Pink street road which he recently purchased of Gene Vandenbord."

 

These pictures were likely taken by Grace Coulter Roberts when she was teaching at the Bovina Center school in the 1940s. I recognized several of the children, including my uncle George LaFever, Bobby Boggs, Patty Boggs, Marge Thomas, Dick Roberts and Bob Burns. Let me know if you recognize anyone else. These images were shared by Joe Riebling. His wife, Susan Roberts Riebling, is Grace's granddaughter. 

Angelica D. Gerry, the daughter of Elbridge Gerry and Louisa Livingston, was born 155 years ago today on May 29, 1871. She built a summer home at Lake Delaware known as Ancrum and also was instrumental in the building of St. James Church.  

121 years ago, on May 30, 1905, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, baseball teams from "Lake Delaware and the Hook battled for supremacy on the diamond Tuesday at the Centre and the score was 12 to 4 in favor of the former."

131 years ago today, the May 31, 1895 issue of the Andes Recorder in its Bovina column included the following item: "Sylvester McFarland, who left this town over twenty years ago, and who had not been heard from since, suddenly made his appearance in town a few days ago." McFarland was born in Wisconsin in 1843 and died in Somerville, Massachusetts in 1914 and is buried in Meredith, NY. He was a prison officer in Massachusetts. It is not clear when he lived in Bovina. His father, James McFarland, was a Bovina native.

A Week with Bovina People - May1901 - 125 Years ago from the Andes Recorder

Life in Bovina 125 years ago this month, as reported in the Andes Recorder for May 1901.

May 3, 1901

• W.J. Doig was over at Andes Tuesday.

• J.W. Blair was over at Andes Saturday.

• Frank Graham has purchased a horse.

• W.A. Hoy was at the County Seat Saturday.

• Fred Bramley made a trip to Delhi Monday.

• Miss Alice Oliver returned from Deposit Friday.

• County Clerk Black and wife were in town Tuesday.

• David Sloan has returned to his home in Colorado.

• H.S. Graham and Dr. Ormiston were up from Delhi Monday.

• Born to Mr. and Mrs. Jeremy T. Barnhart, April 25, a son.

• Emile Northrup of Colorado was in town Monday and Tuesday.

• Frank Gowanlock and J.W. Archibald visited Delhi Saturday.

• Rev. Welsh and wife, of Oneonta, have been guests at Rev. Samson’s this week.

• A.T. Strangeway and daughters Misses Maggie and Libbie were down at Delhi Saturday.

• Mrs. Phinney has received the $2,000 insurance in the Phoenix company on the life of the late husband, Dr. Phinney.

• Among recent real estate transfers in town were James W. Coulter and wife to James H. and W. David Amos $300. 

• Dr. J.D. Frisbee, of Andes, was in this place Wednesday doing dental work.  He expects to visit this place every two weeks.

• Friday the remains of Thomas Wight were brought here for burial.  He died in the Binghamton State Hospital April 24, with pneumonia, aged 53 years.  He had only been in that institution one week.

• John A. Irvine had a narrow escape from serious injury Saturday.  He was driving a horse belonging to Mrs. Wm. Forrest hitched in with one of his and they started to run away, he caught it by the head and in some way his foot became tangled in the lines and whiffle trees and he was dragged some distance but escaped without serious injury.

• Miss Nancy Miller died Monday morning at the home of her brother in law, Robert Biggar in Coulter Brook in the 69th year of her age.  She has been ill with the measles and this was followed by a shock which proved fatal.  The funeral was held Tuesday at 12 o’clock from the house, Rev. Slater officiated and interment was in the Bovina Centre cemetery.  

May 10, 1901

• Mrs. Samson visited Bloomville on Tuesday.

• Elmer Hastings was at Bloomville Tuesday.

• Miss Kate Muller visited at Andes over Sabbath.

• James McWilliams was at Delhi on Thursday last.

• John W. Blair and W.L. Ruff were at Delhi Thursday.

• Ad Maxwell and S.A. Birdsall were in town Wednesday.

• Several new cases of measles have developed this week.

• George Knapp was in this place on Monday from Andes.

• Saturday David Oliver and Francis Graham were at Delhi.

• Hugh Adair was in town from Delhi Thursday of last week.

• W.R. Doig and Robert E. Thompson were at Delhi Friday.

• Alex Hilson and Rev. Williams visited the County Seat Friday.

• Rev. Welsh and family returned to their home in Oneonta Tuesday.

• E.J. Turnbull and Charles Carman, of Andes, were among those in town Tuesday.

• D.L. Thompson has moved to Stamford, where he will reside for at least the next six months.

• Re. Samson and Elder F.C. Armstrong attended the meeting of Presbytery at Walton Tuesday.

• H.S. Murray of Andes, was at Ed Scott’s Monday making some changes in his water system, connecting the pipes with a vat at the barn for cooling the milk, etc.

• Invitations have been issued for the marriage of Miss Leona Thompson, of this town to Rev. Marvin J. Thompson, of Delhi, at the home of the bride’s mother, Mrs. D. Lyle Thompson, May 15. Mr. Thompson has just completed his course at the Seminary and will be ordained and installed as pastor at the Gilchrist Memorial church May 31.

• Andrew G. Thompson, one of Bovina’s substantial farmers, died at his home near Tunis Lake, Friday, May 3, with the measles in the 67th year of his age.  He was born in the upper part of this town and in the winter of ’67-’68 he married Miss Anna King, who with five sons and a daughter survive him.  In the spring of 1868 he moved onto the farm where he resided at the time of his death.  The funeral was held at 11 o’clock Monday from his late residence, Rev. W.L.C. Samson officiating.

May 17, 1901

• H.G. Bramley visited Delhi Friday.

• B.S. Miller visited the County Seat Friday.

• Francis Graham was over at Andes on Friday.

• Thomas M. Spiers was in town on Wednesday.

• George Miller was in town from Andes on Saturday.

• F.R. and J.W. Coulter were visitors at Delhi Tuesday.

• Gideon Miller visited his parents at Andes on Sabbath.

• W.H. Liddle and wife were visitors in town Wednesday.

• John M. Miller made a trip over to Bloomville Saturday.

• George Elliott and Robert Liddle were in town Monday.

• Mrs. Phinney has sold her horse to E.C. Smuth, of Delhi.

• Mrs. W.W. Hoy and children have been at John R. Hoy’s.

• A few new cases of measles have developed in town this week.

• W.T. Miller and wife and Miss Bell J. Miller were at Delhi Friday.

• David Oliver and Mrs. John Oliver and son visited Andes Tuesday.

• David Liddle and Andrew T. Doig are attending court as grand jurors this week.

• Kenneth McKenzie, grandson of the late Dr. McKenzie of this town, died oat Port Ewen, May 5.

• J.W. Coulter is building an addition onto the house recently purchased from D.L. Thompson.

• William Bennett (colored) has moved his family from this town back to Meredith street, Delhi.

• Rev. Marvin J. Thompson and Miss Leona J. Thomson were married at noon Wednewsday, May 15, Rev. Samson officiating. 

May 24, 1901

• Thomas Gordon is on the sick list.

• Thomas Miller visited Andes Wednesday.

• William Rogers was in town Wednesday.

• Dr. Phyfe, of Delhi, was in this place Tuesday.

• G.D. Miller and wife were at Bloomville Tuesday.

• Andrew Finkle, of Shavertown, was in town Tuesday. 

• Several new cases of measles have developed this week.

• A.O. Butts was at Davenport last week for a few days.

• David Currie was home from Delhi Friday and Saturday.

• Robert Campbell, of Andes, was in this place Wednesday.

• E.T. Gerry’s new team at Lake Delaware weighs 3,200 pounds.

• John Archibald and wife, of Halcott were visitors here Thursday.

• Thomas H. Johnson had one of his big team horses die Tuesday night.

• J.W. Archibald has gone to Griffin Corners to work at the carpenter trade.

• Rev. Marvin J. Thompson preached in the United Presbyterian church last Sabbath evening.

• No memorial services will be held here this year, but the graves of the fallen heroes will be decorated as usual.

• Rev. W.L.C. Samson will preach the Memorial sermon in the 2d Presbyterian church at Delhi Sabbath evening May 26.

• Among those at Delhi Tuesday were James A. Liddle and wife, May Liddle, May Thompson, E.J. Scott and wife, Mrs. Archie Maynard, and Mrs. W.H. Maynard.

• Following are the delegates and alternates from the United Presbyterian Sabbath School to the Sabbath school convention to be held at Franklin, May 28 and 29: Mrs. W.L.C. Samson, Miss Libbie Strangeway, Mrs. Elliott Thompson, Miss Bell Strangeway, Mrs. James A. Gow, Miss Mary L. Thompson. Alternates-Mrs. James L. Coulter, William H. Maynard, Mrs. Thomas Miller, Miss Maggie D. Strangeway, W.E. Hastings, Miss Jennie E. Miller. 

May 31, 1901

• Dr. Seacord was over at Andes Tuesday.

• John Glendenning was in town Friday.

• John Blair was down at Delhi Saturday.

• Will Crosier was a Delhi visitor Saturday.

• Marshall Thompson was at Andes Wednesday.

• S.T. Good man was here from Andes Saturday.

• T.S. Miller and Ed Gladstone were in town Tuesday from Andes.

• Woodburn & Smyth have erected a monument on the Phinney plot.

• Fred Thompson and James McFarlane were among those at Delhi Monday.

• Truant officer B.S. Miller has been visiting the schools in town the past week.

• Miss Libbie Strangeway is teaching school in the Gilchrist district in Elk Creek.

• J.W. Coulter is now occupying the house recently purchased of D.L. Thompson.

• Of the memorial sermon preached by Rev Samson at Delhi last Sabbath evening, the Gazette says, “Mr. Samson is a very entertaining speaker, and his sermon was appropriate and highly spoken of.”

• Rev Samson and wife were at Delhi Sabbath evening where he preached the Memorial sermon. On Sabbath he preached a fine Memorial sermon in the United Presbyterian church from Exodus 15:3, “The Lord is a man of war.”

• At E.T. Gerry’s place, at Lake Delaware considerable building is to be done this summer. A new barn is to be erected, the plans of which are being furnished by a New York architect.  The contract has already been let for a dairy house 16 x 30 feet and also a hog house, etc., to W.T. Hine, of Delhi and the mason work has already been commenced by Gray Bros.