September 1924 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

Here's what life was like in Bovina 100 years ago this month – September 1924 – from the pages of the Andes Recorder.

September 5, 1924

• Miss Jane Archibald has gone teach[ing] at Ossining to teach the coming year.

• The interior of the United Presbyterian church is being decorated this week.  

• Miss Catherine Hastings of Oneonta visited her uncle, Milton Hastings, the past week.

• The Bovina annual town picnic was held last Thursday.  The Delhi band furnished the music.

• The Bovina Center school opened on Tuesday with Gladys Worden and Edith Liddle as teachers.

• Edward L. Coulter, a native of the town, was here this week from Sidney, calling on old acquaintances.

• Mrs. and Mrs. Raymond McNair, of Binghamton, spent from Saturday until Monday at John McCune’s.

• Edith Erkson, daughter of Claude Erkson, living up-town, is visiting her grandmother in Johnson City.

• Rev. H.K. Galloway, a former pastor of the United Presbyterian church, now of Buffalo, with his family, were visitors here last week. 

• R.G. Peck, a former principal of Bovina Center school, now of Springfield, Illinois, accompanied by his wife, were recent callers here.

• James W. Archibald and wife of Ilion, spent over Labor Day with his sister, Mrs. Boggs, and niece, Mrs. S.K. Ferris. Mr. Ferris was also here from Albany.

• Dr. and Mrs. Trader and children have been visiting her father, Jas W. Thomson. Mrs. Trader is also a doctor and they are located at the Craig Colony, Sonyea, N.Y. [Mrs. Trader was Ella Mabel Thompson. Born around 1889, she married William Trader in 1918. She died in June 1934 after an operation. Her husband died 8 years later.]

• Mr. and Mrs. Frank Myers and Mr. and Mrs. William Thomson, of Endicott, visited at Alex Myer’s over Labor Day. Mr. Myers returned home with them to do some painting.

• Bovina real estate transfers recorded are Jane Lauren Dickson to Thomas C. Strangeway, $2,500; Executors of John M. Miller to William S. Redman $425; William S. Redman and wife to John H. Hilson and another $1.

• Those who entered Delaware Academy this week are as follows; Courtney Currie, Arthur and Grace Coulter, Marjorie and Marian Ormiston, Ross and Grace Bramley, Harold Aitkens, Margaret Gorden, Helen and Ruth Gladstone, James Hoy and Donald Boggs. 

September 12, 1924

• Miss Jane Hilson left Tuesday for school duties at South Orange.

• Miss Emily Hyatt, of New York, is spending her vacation with her father F.W. Hyatt.

• William J. Crosier has gone to Steubenville, Ohio, to spend several weeks with his son.

• Wallace Hyatt, who has been in New York for the past two years is here on a vacation.

• Mr. Hitchcock who has been working in [the] dry milk plant [this was behind the Bovina Center creamery], has gone [to] work for the Dairymen’s League.

• James C. Mabon has a new Chevrolet car, and with his wife and son enjoyed a trip to Oneonta on Saturday. 

• Jack Myers, who is traveling salesman with headquarters at Springfield, Mass., spent a few days with his parents recently.

• Mrs. Fred Thomson underwent an operation [for] the remove of her tonsils at Oneonta last Thursday, and came home on Friday.

• A number of the friends of Captain Billings, superintendent of the Gerry estate attended a birthday party held in his honor Tuesday evening. 

September 19, 1924

• Ted Fuller and wife, of Utica, were recent visitors here.

• Clark Hillis and Don Covert, of Delhi, were in town on Sabbath.

• Mrs. John Hilson and James Hilson were at Oneonta on Wednesday.

• Miss Grace Hyatt, of New York, is spending her vacation in town.

• Mr. and Mrs. G.D. Miller were visitors at the County Seat on Monday.

• Robert E. Gladstone and Robert E. Thomson spent the day Wednesday at Andes.

• Mrs. William Armstrong, Mrs. Geo Decker and Mrs. Arthur Decker were Walton visitors Tuesday. 

• The Woman’s Missionary Society held an all-day meeting with Mrs. C.S. Gladstone on Wednesday.

• Frank Armstrong, of Walton, is visiting his son, William Armstrong, and old acquaintances in town.

• Lauren Dickson, who recently graduated from Yale Law School, left Wednesday for Saratoga where he will enter a law office.

• Mrs. Robert Brown and Mrs. Harvey Hafele, from Fall Clove, spent over Sabbath with Mrs. Thos Gordon, the cousin of the first named.

September 26, 1924

• Mr. and Mrs. D.G. Miller were Andes callers last Saturday.

• Mrs. James T. Aitken, of Andes, was a visitor here on Wednesday.

• Mrs. and Mrs. Robert R. Gladstone spent Friday with Andes relatives.

• Quite severe frosts visited this section Wednewsday and Thursday mornings.

• John Aitken’s is having an addition built to his residence, which was the former Kennedy house. 

• Mrs. Joseph S. Forrest and Miss Mary Davis, of Andes, spent Wednesday calling on friends here.

• Edward Gladstone, of Andes, has rented the rooms in G.D. Miller’s house and will move next week.

• Mrs. Thos. Gordon has closed her house and will spend the winter with Mrs. G.J. Dickson, who is also alone.

• Mrs. Cora Tripp, of Oneonta, spent the weekend with her sisters, Mrs. Frank Brown and Mrs. C.S. Gladstone. 

• David Currie has purchased what is known as the Cable house, adjoining the Firemen’s Hall.  He had rented the place. 

• William S. Gordon left Monday for Brooklyn where he entered Pratt’s Institute to take a course in mechanical engineering.  

• Harry Robinson has rented his house in the lower part of the village to Mr. Martin, of Hamden, who will run the pan at the dry milk plant of the Bovina Center Co-Operative Creamery.

This Day in Bovina for August 2024

Here's the compilation of the Town of Bovina Historian Facebook page entries for August 2024:

Seventy-two years ago today, the August 1, 1952 Delaware Republican Express reported that "George Leidner lost a valuable cow last week with rabies."

 

117 years ago today, the August 2, 1907 Brooklyn Citizen, in its summer resort directory included this entry for Mountainside View Farm House. This is now the Ed and Donna Weber farm.

 

Sixty-four years ago today, on August 3, 1960, Mabel Archibald died. Her obituary appeared in the August 12 Catskill Mountain News   

 

Forty-eight years ago today, the Bovina column in the August 4, 1976 issue of the Stamford Mirror Recorder, this correction was noted: "It was mistakenly reported last week that the town girls won the tug of war at the Bicentennial celebration It has since been reported that that was not the case, and the out -of-towners actually won!"

 

Twenty-nine years ago today, on August 5, 1995, Bovina celebrated its 175th birthday. I've uploaded pictures from that day on my Flickr account. If you have any additional information about the pictures, please note that in the comments. I'm also always looking for more photographs. https://flic.kr/s/aHsmNLHoUw

 

135 years ago today, the August 6, 1889 Stamford Mirror carried this report on two people injured in falls: 

 

113 years ago today, on August 7, 1911, as later reported in the Andes Recorder under the headline "Two Tons of Pork," "John M. Miller delivered, to Howard Hall, 17 pigs which weighed over two tons, and he also delivered 10 cows." The paper went on to note that Miller had 20 more pigs "that he will sell in the fall."

 

150 years ago today, on August 8, 1874, as later reported in the Delaware Gazette, "Andrew Boyd, of Bovina, sailed for Scotland, from New York, on the 8th inst." Boyd had come to Bovina from Ireland in the late 1840s. He was an ancestor of the Worden family. Andrew died five years later in 1879.

 

143 years ago today, the August 9, 1881 issue of the Stamford Mirror carried this small Brushland column. Old Mr. Dickson probably was Gilbert Dickson, though I can't track down when he died.

 

224 years ago today, on August 10, 1800, Elizabeth Coulter was born, the daughter of Francis and Nancy (Glendenning) Coulter. It is not clear whether she was born in Scotland or in Delaware County. Elizabeth died in June 1847 and is buried in the Associate Presbyterian Church cemetery at Reinertsen Hill Road in Bovina.

 

132 years ago today, the brief Bovina column of the August 11, 1892 Delaware Republican reported "98 in the shade last Tuesday."

 

134 years ago today, the August 12, 1890 Hobart Independent reported that "Bovina Cows Go West." The article went on to say: "Four fine cows have been shipped by Wm. L. Ruff of Bovina, to Dillworth Bros., of Spokane, Wash. Valencey E. Fuller, vice-president of the American Jersey Cattle Club and an expert judge of the famous race of butter-makers, was engaged to make the selection for the western men. He selected Rose of Bovina, Ida’s Gray Belle of Bovina, Ida's Jane Eyre of Bovina, and Ida’s Little Gray Belle of Bovina. Mr. Ruff received $450 for the four Jerseys. The Ruff farm is now the Weber farm on Crescent Valley Road.

 

Seventy-two years ago today, on August 13, 1952, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, "Forty-eight descendants of Francis and Nancy Coulter held their 30th reunion at the Fish and Game clubhouse on Wednesday….A picnic lunch was enjoyed by all. The president, William Cash, of Delhi presided. The following officers were elected for the coming year: Myron Coulter of Walton, president; Robert Hall of Bovina, vice-president; Mrs. David Roberts, secretary-treasurer; Mrs. Myron Coulter, dinner committee chairman." The Fish and Game club was on Coulter Brook Road and was where Francis and Nancy Coulter settled in Bovina around 1802.

 

128 years ago today, on August 14, 1896, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Andes Recorder, "John, the three-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Davidson, died. The funeral was held Monday, Rev. Thomas Park preached the sermon from 2d Timothy 4:7,8." As well as his parents, John was survived by his sister Vera and his brother Fletcher.

 

Fifty-one years ago today, the Bovina column of the August 15, 1973 Stamford Mirror Recorder included the following item: "Canvassers will be visiting homes from Aug. 15 - 22 to ask for donations for our annual Bovina library tag day. Solicitors have been assigned for all areas. The funds from tag day are used for maintenance of the library so welcome your neighbor when she calls."

 

204 years ago today, August 16, 1820, Thomas Miller was born in Bovina, the first child of David Miller and Agnes Thomson. He spent his entire life in Bovina. Around the time he turned 30, he developed rheumatism which prevented him from working and from being eligible for military service. This is his claim for exemption from military service, filed a few months before his death on May 4, 1863. He is buried in the Bovina Cemetery. 

 

Forty-seven years ago today, the Bovina column of the August 17, 1977 Stamford Mirror Recorded included this item: "Mrs. Norma Gabriel, Bovina town clerk, reports that big game licenses and party permits are now available through the town clerk's office. Party permits must be postmarked no later than Sept 12."

150 years ago today, on August 18, 1874, Frederick McFarland was married to Phebe A. Reynolds in the Town of Middletown. They were married by Rev. J.D. Hubble. The marriage ended in 1889 with Frederick's suicide. His wife died two years later. More about Frederick is at the Bovina NY History blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2013/02/stories-from-bovinas-cemeteries.html.

 

Fifty-nine years ago today, the Bovina column of the August 19, 1965 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "Mrs. Sophia Reinertsen, accompanied her son and daughter-in-law, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Reinertsen, to Missouri, and Madison, Wisconsin, where they are visiting relatives of the family."

 

109 years ago today, August 20, 1915, David Low Thompson died in Oneonta. He was 84 years of age. More about Thompson's life is on my blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2019/03/i-dont-know-whether-i-dare-to-go-back.html

 

136 years ago today, the August 21, 1888 Stamford Mirror reported in its Bovina column that "The friends of Ed O. Hanlon were much alarmed, a few days ago, by the report that he had suddenly died at Delhi, while having some decayed teeth extracted. Happily, the report proved untrue. Ed says he knew it was a lie as soon as he heard it."

 

108 years ago today, on August 22, 1912, Therese "Que" Aitken was born in Peconic, NY, the daughter of John Bauer and Frances Deitz. She married Floyd "Steve" Aitkens in 1937 and moved to his home in Bovina. She worked for a number of years for the Delhi Telephone Company. Que was widowed in 1982. She died in February 2003 at the age of 90. This photo of Que was taken by Bob Wyer in May 1947.

 

142 years ago today, on August 23, 1882, as later reported in the Delaware Gazette, "Mrs. Peter Calhoun, the mother of Dr. Calhoun, of this village [Delhi], died at her residence in Bovina, Aug. 23. Mrs. Calhoun was born in the year 1799, in the Parish of Luss, Dumbarton Shire, Scotland. She came to America in 1834, and settled in Bovina in 1835, where she resided until her death. In 1835 she united with the Presbyterian church in Andes, of which she was a faithful and consistent member during her life. She was a kind and loving mother, a faithful wife, and a much esteemed neighbor."

 

Eighty-five years ago today, on August 24, 1939, the "Bovina Centre" column of the Delaware Republican reported that "Mr. and Mrs. Jack Myers, Mrs. Anna Thompson and Ledger Myers of Binghamton visited Mr. and Mrs. Alex Myers over the weekend."

 

104 years ago today, the Brookfield (NY) Courier in its August 25, 1920 issue reported under County and State News Paragraphs on an illness impacting Bovina's dairy cows: "Several cows in Bovina dairies recently attracted attention by giving small messes of milk, and the suspicion of trouble was intensified when the next morning about thirty cows in the dairy of Mrs. Kate Barnhart were very ill, several of them being unable to rise, and one dying during the day. Inspection by Drs. Irvine and Wheeler developed that some powerful physic had been eaten by the animals. Wednesday most of the cows were on their feet again, and suspicion being directed to feed which all had eaten, the stomach of the dead cow and some of the grain were sent to the state agricultural college for analysis."

 

Eighty-one years ago today, the Lake Delaware column in the August 26, 1943 Delaware Republican included this item: "The boys at Lake Delaware Boys' camp will return to New York this week. On Sunday the boy's choir from the camp sang at the service in St. James' Chapel."

 

122 years ago today, on the evening of August 27, 1902, Margaret H. Sloane was married to James M. Gladstone at the home of her sister and brother-in-law, William and Clara Doig. The couple started their family in New York but at some point before 1910, they moved west, settling in Denver, Colorado. James was a furniture salesman for thirty years. He died in 1937 at the age of 61 after a brief illness. Margaret died sometime after 1940. 

 

110 years ago, the August 28, 1914 Catskill Mountain News published a small article entitled "Gerry Will Build Road." The article noted that "Robert Gerry will have a stone road built from where his private road connects with the highway in southern Bovina to the top of the pitch above T.C. Strangeway's. The town of Bovina will probably put on a team or two. Work is expected to commence about the first of September."

 

Fifty-four years ago today, on August 29, 1970, the town of Bovina celebrated its Sesquicentennial - the 150th Anniversary of its founding. Here's an album on my Flickr page of pictures from the celebration: https://flic.kr/s/aHsmNL4BpF

 

143 years ago today, the August 30, 1881 Stamford Mirror reported in its Bovina column that "There are a number of severe cases of sickness in town at present. Mrs. Orr, [Mrs.] Sloan and Mrs. Ira Worden are considered most critical." Though not clear, Mrs. Sloan may have been Sarah Collins Sloan, who died September 15, 1881 at the age of 78. Mrs. Worden survived this illness but died in 1888 when she was 44 years old.

 

Eighty years ago today, the Bovina column of the August 31, 1944 Delaware Republican Express reported that "Mrs. Sarah Archibald has gone to New York City for treatment for her eye. Her daughter, Mrs. Charles Lethenburg (sic), came for her on Friday." Her daughter was the former Jane Archibald, daughter of William Archibald (1870-1941) and Sarah Hobbie (1870-1945).

 

 

A Week with Bovina People - August 1899 - 125 Years ago from the Andes Recorder

Here’s what was happening in Bovina 125 years ago, August 1899, from the pages of the Andes Recorder.

August 4, 1899

• John Muir was in town Thursday.

• William Ruff was at Delhi Monday.

• John E. Gladstone arrived in town Monday.

• Miss Mae Hall has returned from a visit at Stamford.

• Hugh Rose, of Roses Brook, was in this place Thursday.

• Bert McNair and lady were here on Monday from Andes.

• John G. Bramley, of Jordon, N.Y., is visiting his parents.

• Tuesday parties from Hobart picnicked at Livingston’s Lake.

• Mr. and Mrs. Gilbert D. Miller visited at Andes on Wednesday.

• Alexander Myers is busy painting Albert McPherson’s new house.

• Robert King and wife, of Unadilla, were guests in town over Sabbath.

• Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Tuttle, of Andes, were visitors here on Monday.

• Frank Myers visited his son Alexander here last Thursday and Friday.

• Edwin and James L. Coulter were among those at Delhi Tuesday.

• William Mabon and cousin, Miss Clara Mabon, were in town on Monday.

• David A. Oliver and wife, of Delancey, visited in town last Thursday and Friday.

• Robert Thompson and Marion Robertson are selling their milk.  William Armstrong is drawing it.

• Mrs. Charles Arbuckle, son and daughter, of Newark, New Jersey, arrived in town Thursday for a few weeks visit.

• It is expected that Charlie Arbuckle of Newark, New Jersey, will preach at Lake Delaware next Sabbath evening.

• Rev. W.L.C. Samson started Tuesday morning for his vacation and will be absent three Sabbaths. There will be preaching each Sabbath. 

• Peter McNair got somewhat bruised and cut about the face by being thrown out of the wagon and striking on his head and shoulders recently.

• At the school meeting in this village Tuesday evening Thomas Gordon was elected trustee, E. George Gladstone, clerk, and B.S. Miller, collector.

• Mr. Greenberg, Missionary for the Reformed Presbyterian church of the Covenant to Israel, lectured in the United Presbyterian church Sabbath evening. 

August 10, 1899

• Marshall Scott was at Delhi Tuesday.

• Mr. and Mrs. William S. Thomson were at Delhi on Tuesday.

• George Hughes and family were visitors in this place on Tuesday.

• Robert R. and Ed Gladstone of Andes, were in town on Saturday.

• Born to Mr. and Mrs. William A. Hoy, Tuesday, August 8, a son.

• Albert Scutt and daughter Clara visited friends in town over Sabbath.

• G.D. Miller and wife started for Cleveland, Ohio, Monday for a visit.

• Rev. W.P. Miller and family, of Dayton, Ohio, are visiting relatives in this vicinity.

• Adam Scott and wife, of Garrattsville, were guests at Thomas Miller’s over Sabbath.

• Among those in town Thursday were James Gladstone, of Andes, and Frank Dickson of Little Delaware.

• Thomas Lee and family, of Haverstraw, arrived in town Saturday and are stopping at Thomas Miller’s.

• Rev. Marvin Thomson preached in the United Presbyterian church last Sabbath. Next Sabbath Rev. W.P. Miller will preach there.

• There was a lawsuit in town Thursday, plaintiff George Fuller and defendant Robert Hazelett, of Meredith.  It was over some horse deal.

• Judd Boice, of Lake Delaware, was arrested Monday evening and sent to jail.  It appears that he felt wronged in a horse deal, and being somewhat noisy he was taken up.

Another Bovina Boy Getting Up the Ladder of Fame.

Rev. J. Beveridge Lee, pastor of the First Presbyterian church, Bloomfield, N.J., returned form the Adirondacks for Sunday and preached morning and evening in the Madison Avenue Presbyterian church. After morning service he was waited upon by a committee from the Immanuel Presbyterian church of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who was presented a call from that congregation. Immanuel church desires Mr. Lee’s ministrations, has over 700 members and pays a salary of $5,000 and is the foremost Presbyterian church in the State. Mr. Lee has many friends in this city having been once sought as pastor of the Madison avenue Presbyterian church where for eight years he has been on the list of summer supplies. When questioned by the Argus reporter regarding his intentions Mr. Lee said he had not attempted to form a judgment as yet, and it would be impossible to forecast his decision. He returned yesterday to the Adirondacks. – Albany Argus.

August 18, 1899

• William T. Black was down at Delhi Thursday.

• Willliam Cummings was in this place Thursday.

• David Oliver and B.S. Miller were at Andes Monday.

• Thomas H. Liddle was in town recently from Andes.

• George Miller, of Andes, visited his brother Gideon, here Saturday.

• Alexander Hilson returned Saturday from a business trip to Scranton.

• Born to Mr. and Mrs. Henry G. Bramley Wednesday, August 9, a son.

• Andrew Seacord and William Armstrong were at Delhi Friday last.

• At the auction of Thomas H. Luddington’s effects things sold readily and at reasonable prices.

• Miss Margaret Gilchrist will teach Primary department of the village school the ensuing year.

• Owing to the absence of Rev. H.F. Brown there was no preaching in the Methodist church on Sabbath.

• Mrs. William Dennis and son, Joseph Dennis and wife, of Walton, were guests at John P. Dennis’ the past week. 

• Carrie Scott has hired in the Maynard district; Elizabeth Strangeway on Pink street; William Hastings at Lake Delaware.

• Rev. W.P. Miller preached, Sabbath in the United Presbyterian church from 1 Chronicle 21:22 and 28. Rev. Gordon will preach next Sabbath.

• Mrs. Agnes Telford has purchased a granite sarcophagus monument of Woodburn & Smyth to be erected in the cemetery here in memory of her husband, the late Dr. Telford.

• The Republican caucus Saturday did not last over fifteen minutes. William T. Black was chosen chairman and John A. Irvine, secretary. James A. Gow was given power to name the delegates and elected James Forman and Peter McNair as delegates to Hobart, and William Archibald and Edwin C. Burgin to the County Convention. 

August 25, 1899

• Hugh Adair was in town Friday.

• David Liddle was at Delhi Thursday.

• Ward Coulter was over at Andes on Thursday.

• James Gladstone was over from Andes Thursday.

• Cora McFadden was a guest at John R. Hoy’s this week.

• Quite a number in town have sold their dairies of butter.

• William Liddle and wife, of Andes, were visitors here Monday.

• Gideon Miller has traded his horse with W.A. Hoy for a black.

• Frank Chamberlain and Alexander Liddle were here on Thursday.

• Andrew Anderson of Andes, was in this place Saturday.

• Rev. Gordon preached on Sabbath from Psalm 73 and 25 and 26 verses.

• Mrs. Thomas Scott and daughter, of Walton, have been visiting in town.

• Mr. and Mrs. James A. Scott, of Hobart, have been visiting relatives here.

• Miss Jane Stott arrived in town Saturday from Hamden.  She is in poor health.

• Mrs. Alfred Strong and Miss Anna Bell Thomson were up from Delhi on Saturday.

• Dennis Brothers took their poultry to Margaretville fair.  New week they go to Shavertown.

• Thomas Gordon is putting an addition on his house.  John R. Hoy is doing the carpenter work.

• At the ball game Saturday between Bovina and Arena the score stood 13 to one in favor of Bovina.

• Rev. Samson returned home Monday evening. William Hastings also arrived home the same evening.

• Last week the John W. Aitkin farm was sold to J.M. Olmstead, of Hobart; the mortgagee, who has since sold the farm to William Ward, of New Kingston.

• We learn that Thomas Ormiston has rented his farm for a year and will go to Baltimore County, Maryland, to have charge of a herd of 300 registered Jerseys.

A Week with Bovina People - October 1899 - 125 Years ago from the Andes Recorder

Here’s what was happening in Bovina 125 years ago, October 1899, from the pages of the Andes Recorder.

October 6, 1899

• A number are going to sell milk.

• Anson Barnhart was in town Monday.

• Monday night apples were frozen hard.

• Alex. Hilson started Monday for New York city.

• Irving Phinney was home from Walton over Sabbath.

• Porter Dean was in town last week looking after cows.

• William Crosier has hired Robert A. Thomson to draw milk.

• Thomas Ormiston and family started Tuesday for Maryland.

• John Coulter and wife, of Davenport, were here Monday.

• William Bramley and family were up from Delhi Thursday.

• Frank Miller and sister, Carrie, visited at Delancey last week.

• Born to Mr. and Mrs. D.C. Worden on Friday, September 29, a son.

• “Champ” Worden has quit threshing as his cleaner was entirely spoiled.

• Ferris McPherson had a cow killed by lightning last week while in the pasture.

• Rev. Walter Strangeway preached on the United Presbyterian church on Sabbath evening.

• Next Sabbath communion services will be held in the United Presbyterian church, and Rev. E.M. Milligan will assist.

• The Reform Presbyterian congregation think of discarding their old stoves and putting in a furnace to heat their church.

• Dr. Seacord went to Washington, D.C., last week and was accompanied by Fred Arbuckle and Delos Landon who will enter the veterinary college.

• James Hastings and wife returned last Thursday from a months’ visit in Minnesota.  Mr. Hastings enjoyed his first trip out of his native county.

• Some of those were at Delhi Friday were, William Maynard and wife, Mrs. Alex. Myers, Mrs. Robert Thomson, Mrs. Edwin Scott, son and daughter, Mrs. Sloan Archibald and son Russell, Mrs. Andrew Thomson and family.

• The Andes & Delhi Telephone Company have finally allowed Alex. Hilson to go onto the main wire direct without having to be switched on, and we understand Mr. Hilson is to answer all calls on the line when Mr. Strangeway is not in the main office.

• Last week’s Gazette contained a letter stating the great change in things as compared to what they were sixty or seventy years ago.  In the item in which the writer states that in the fall butter buyers came around and bought the butter his memory must have played him tricks.  In those days butter buyers were as “scarce as hens teeth”, and butter had to be hauled to Catskill and they had to take just what they could get for it, perhaps 10 or 11 cents and if left unsold some got six cents per pound, and yet those are the good days that are gone and we hope they may never return.

October 13, 1899

• Hugh Adair was in town Friday.

• Dr. Houyck was in town Tuesday.

• James Seath arrived in town Thursday.

• Abram Northrup was in town Monday.

• William Cooke is at Delhi as a juryman.

• Walter McDivitt was down at Delhi Monday.

• Thomas Gordon has commenced housekeeping.

• Thomas H. Liddle was here from Andes Saturday.

• Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Close were over at Andes Thursday.

• Whooping cough has made its appearance in this locality.

• Rev. E.M. Milligan left Monday for his home in Sewickley, Pa.

• Caleb Monroe and Andrew Close were in town from Andes Thursday.

• Communion services were held in the Reformed Presbyterian church on Sabbath.

• Mrs. Otis McCumber and daughter, of Andes, were guests at Mrs. Muller’s on Thursday.

• Thomas Hoy has rented his farm to John and Peter Robson and gives possession March 1, 1900.

• George Hughes and wife and Charles White and wife were guests at John R. Hoy’s Monday evening.

• J.L. Hughes is at S.G. Bramley’s touching up his fine residence where it needs a new dress of paint.

• Miss Louisa Dennis and Mrs. G.J. Dickson were in New York last week purchasing millinery goods.

• Among those in town Friday were Andrew Franklin and John K. Russell, of Delhi, and William D. Thompson, of Rondout.

• Four new members were admitted to the United Presbyterian church last Sabbath, two by certificate and two by profession.

• Leonard Sloan has moved from the rooms in Strangeway’s store building to the rooms in the Gow house recently vacated by David Draffen.

• Rev. Milligan preached an excellent sermon Sabbath evening on the four anchors cast out of the ship when Paul was shipwrecked; they were faith, repentance, thankfulness and obedience.

• The Reform Presbyterian congregation continue to push the improvements about their church, relaying the walk, ditching , etc., and when they get their new furnace in running order will have everything in good shape.  They will also raise up the church in order to get better drainage.

• James, son of Alex. Bryden near Lake Delaware, died in Fall Clove last Friday of spinal meningitis.  He had ridden his bicycle over there and was quite warm and this may have had something to do with his illness.  The funeral was held from his home Monday at 11 o’clock, Rev. W.L.C. Samson, officiating, and the interment made here.

October 20, 1899

• E.J. Turnbull was in town last Wednesday.

• E.C. Dean was up from Delhi on Sabbath.

• Ira Worden was see in town on Monday.

• G.D. Miller was at the County Seat Saturday.

• John K. Russell, of Delhi, was here on Thursday.

• John Blair started Tuesday for Kingston with stock.

• Miss Jennie Miller has been visiting relatives at Hobart.

• Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Gordon were at Delhi on Monday.

• Register or you cannot vote. Saturday is your last chance.

• Henry Rice and son were in town Wednesday from Delhi.

• Richard Smith arrived home Monday from a visit to Walton.

• David Ballantine and wife, of Andes were in this place Monday.

• Rev. T.M. Slater started Monday for Sterling Valley, this state.

• Mrs. Elizabeth Hewitt has been visiting her son Hamilton J., at Delhi.

• Hamilton J. Hewitt and wife were in this place from Delhi on Sabbath.

• Monday J.L. Hughes began painting Dr. G.J. Dickson’s drug store in colors.

• A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Brandow at Bloomville, October 7.

• Mrs. Frank Gowanlock and Mrs. Alex Myers were over at Andes on Wednesday.

• Among those at Delhi last Wednesday were, John Oliver, wife and son, James A. Gow, and A.C. Seacord.

• Henry S. Murray and Frank Crispell were at W.C. Russell’s Monday, where they have had a big job of putting in water pipe.  

• John W. Bramley died early Thursday morning with diabetes, age 81 years.  He was born and always lived in this town and was one of our most extensive and best farmers.  He leaves a widow and four children – three sons John G, William and Fred and one daughter, Mrs. E.C. Dean.  The funeral will take place on Saturday at 11 o’clock from his late residence.

October 27, 1899

• F.R. Coulter was at Andes Thursday.

• Miss Ida Glendening was in town Sabbath.

• Elmer Close and wife were at Andes Tuesday.

• Elliott Thompson was at Andes last Thursday.

• Robert A. Thompson visited Delhi Thursday.

• E.S. Washburn and wife visited at Union Grove.

• G.D. Miller was at Walton Friday and Saturday.

• Ed Hanlon and Charles Spiers were in town Friday.

• Frank Myers has been visiting his son, Alex Myers.

• Bert Gladstone, of Andes, was in this place Friday.

• Miss Lillian Miller, of Andes, was in town over Sabbath.

• James Muir, of Andes, was seen in this place Wednesday.

• T.W. Miller, of the Andes Recorder, was in town Saturday.

• William Aitkins and family visited at John G. Russell’s Friday.

• Mr. and Mrs. Miles Bramley, of Walton were in town over Sabbath.

• B. Shaw Miller and Charles Hilton, of Andes, were in town Tuesday.

• Robert R. Gladstone and Ed Gladstone were in town Tuesday from Andes.

• Mrs. J.L. Hughes, of Andes, was a guest at Mrs. Amos Northrup’s Saturday.

• Work on the stone work on Reformed Presbyterian church is progressing rapidly.

• Rev. Alex Bramley was here the past week, called her by the death of his brother, John W. Bramley.

• John G. Laing and bride visited in town from Wednesday to Saturday when they left for their home in Madison, N.J.

• Frank R. Coulter has sold the steam heater in his residence to Mr. Chamberlain, of Margaretville, who has removed the same.

• Peter McNair, with a gang of men, is employed at grading and leveling up the grounds in the cemetery at North Kortright.

• John G. Laing and Miss Laura Reynolds, of Hurleyville, Sullivan county, were married at that place Wednesday, October 18.

• There was no preaching in the Reformed Presbyterian church on Sabbath owing the absence of Rev. T.M. Slater and the repairs on the church.

• Mr. Halsey, the creamery man is anxious to locate a skimming station at the Centre, and has made Wilson Scott an offer for land near the proposed railroad track.

• The total registration this year is 321, the same as last year. The board appointed James A. Gow and John W. McCune poll clerks, and Robert E. Thompson and Arthur D. Hoy ballot clerks. 

August 1924 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

Here's what was going on in Bovina 100 years ago this month, as recorded in the pages of the Andes Recorder.

August 1, 1924

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

• Miss Hannah Coulter is visiting relatives in the New Kingston valley.

• Mrs. Harry Crosier and child, of Stuebenville, Ohio, are guests at Wm. Crosier’s.

• Dr. James Crosier, of Philadelphia, has joined his mother here to spend his vacation.

• Hugh Keeley, the Delhi painter, is doing interior work on the new residence of Mrs. Alex Hilson.

• John Hilson Jr. has returned from visiting Superintendent and Mrs. Jas F. Forman at the County Farm.

• Mr. and Mrs. David Cameron and Cameron, of California, have been to town this week. She will [be] remembered as Alma Scott.

• Miss Ruth Coulter attended Redpath Chautauqua at Oneonta last week. 

• There were no services last Sabbath at the U.P. church owing to the fact that the pastor’s throat was not fully recovered from his recent operation.

• Professor and Mrs. Leon Taggart and Miss Rachel Ritter, of Oneonta, spent Sabbath with Mrs. Taggart’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. T.C. Strangeway. 

• Miss Elizabeth and Master Jack McNair, of Binghamton, have joined their grandmother, Mrs. Peter McNair, at the home of her daughter Mrs. John McCune. 

• Rev. David Russell preached at the Church of the Covenanters last Sabbath in the absence of the pastor, Rev. A.M. Thomson. It stated that Rev. has accepted a pastorate at Utica.

• Mrs. F.M. Crawford underwent an operation for the removal of a tumor last Friday at the hospital in Oneonta. For a few days her condition was considered critical, but she is now on the road to recovery. 

August 8, 1924

• There was a slight frost here on the morning of August 4.

• William Lee has been visiting his brother, A.P. Lee, on the Lee homestead farm.

• The Juniors held a picnic Saturday at the home of William Burns below the village.

• The Misses Kate and Freda Muller spent over the week end with their sister, Mrs. Otis McCumber, at Andes.

• Gilbert D. Miller, the only surviving veteran of the civil war in Bovina, is under the doctor’s care. He recently celebrated his 80th birthday. [Gilbert would survive this illness, not dying until March 1931 at the age of 87.]

August 15, 1924

• Alex Myers is painting the new residence of Mrs. Alex Hilson [this is now the home of Mike and Christine Batey].

• There will be no preaching at the last two Sabbaths in August.

• Mrs. James Archibald, of Treadwell, is visiting her sister, Mrs. Mary C. Forrest.

• Bovina real estate transfers recorded are Martha Kelly to James A. Boggs $280.68.

• Mrs. G.J. Dickson, our postmistress has gone to Chautauqua, for a short vacation. 

• Mr. and Mrs. William Aitkins, from Long Island, are visiting his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Aitkens.

• Miss Margaret Archibald, employed in the County Clerk’s office, spent the past week with Bovina relatives.

• Special services were held at the R.P. church on Sabbath afternoon. Rev. Wilson was one of the speakers.

• Mr. Murray, the new caretaker of the St. James church at Lake Delaware, is occupying the former J.K. Russell house.

• Edward Johnson and his mother, Mrs. Alex Johnson, of South Kortright, was in this place calling on friends on Sabbath.

• Rev. and Mrs. Newell have been visiting at Charles Hafele’s. Rev. Newell was a former pastor of the Methodist church here. 

• During the thunder storm Sabbath afternoon, lightning struck one of the pine trees near the residence of John Hilson, but did no damage.

• Mr. and Mrs. George Decker, Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Decker, Mr. and Mrs. William Armstrong and Mr. and Mrs. John Armstrong motored to Stamford last Sabbath. They report that there was a heavy hail storm there. 

August 22, 1924

• Mr. and Mrs. James Ackerley spent Sabbath at Stamford.

• Neil Sprague, of Monticello, is visiting his father, Lew Sprague.

• Miss Mary Ormiston, of Oneonta, was with relatives here Monday.

• William F. Boggs is visiting relatives in the vicinity of Walton.

• William Hastings, of Oneonta, was a caller in town the first of the week.

• Mrs. Frank Coulter went to an Albany hospital Tuesday for an operation. 

• Mrs. Archie Boggs, of New York, is a guest of her sister-in-law, Mrs. S.K. Ferris.

• Miss Louise Hilson is spending a few days with Andes relatives and friends.

• Mr. and Mrs. James L. Coulter, of New Wilmington, Penn. are renewing acquaintances in town. 

• Miss Mary Flansburg, of South Hampton, Long Island, is a guest of her friend, Miss Jane Hilson.

• Miss Park, of Pittsburg, Penn., a daughter of Rev. Thos Park, called on Miss Jennie Miller here Monday.

• Miss Helena Stewart, of Endicott, who has been visiting here, had an operation for appendicitis at Delhi. 

• Mrs. Hazel Russell Munson, of this place, and Edward Dougal, of Syracuse were married August 11. They will reside at Syracuse. [Hazel was the daughter of James and Rose Russell. Her first husband, Frank Munson, died in December 1920 when a tree fell on him. Hazel would have three children, two of whom survived to adulthood. She was widowed again in 1955 and died in Syracuse in 1981.]

• Mr. and Mrs. George Miller, Mrs. Geo Decker and Mrs. Arthur Decker attended a Sabbath School picnic at Mundale on Tuesday.

• Mrs. Libbie Jane Wilson, of Kansas was a visitor in town the first of the week. She was a native of the town, her maiden name being Aitken. [She was the daughter of Isaac Atkin and Nancy Blair. She married Charles Wilson in Kansas in 1886 and was widowed in 1911. She died in Kansas in 1940.]

• In a contest between the Delancey and Bovina Christian Unions Bovina lost and on Tuesday evening gave a banquet to the winners at the U.P. church parlors.

• Mr. and Mrs. George Kaufman and Mrs. Chas Kaufman, of Saugerties, Mrs. Wm Huber and George Middlemiss and wife, of Delhi, were guests at Alex Myers’ last Thursday. 

• Hugh Galland, fireman at the creamery, and Miss Jennie Fay, of Andes, were married last week and have commenced housekeeping in rooms in Mrs. Julia McPherson’s house.

• Mr. and Mrs. Charles Thomson, of Katonah, N.Y., visited his father, James W. Thomson, and attended the Thomson reunion this week. He reports that they have had it very dry. 

• Wallace B. Smith was at Arkville on Sabbath, taking his son, Wallie, who had been spending his vacation at home, to the train. Young Smith is employed in the office of the International., Harvester Co. at Albany. 

Eighty-two at Thomson Reunion

Eighty-two attended the Thomson reunion held August 19, at the home of Mr. and Mrs. James W. Thomson in Bovina Center. The officers for the ensuing year are, James A. Thomson, president; Thos Archibald, vice president; Mrs. Robert E. Thomson; secretary and treasurer. The next reunion will be held at Ed Gladstone’s in Andes. 

Ford Driver Fell Asleep – From our Bovina Correspondent

A young man who had been working at James Barnhart’s, went to sleep last Thursday morning and his Ford left the road in the lower part of the village and running diagonally along steep bank brought up in the Muller yard. Strange to say it did not upset.

Miller Reunion

The Miller reunion will be held at the home of Miss Bell Miller in Bovina Center, on Tuesday August 26, 1924, and all relatives are invited. Bring dishes and sandwiches for your own family and one other article of food. Committee

August 29, 1924

• The public schools of the town will open next Tuesday.

• Superintendent of the Poor James F. Forman was a caller in town on Tuesday.

• Master Ledger Myers is spending the week with relatives at Kingston and Saugerties.

• Mrs. A.T. Doig returned Tuesday from visiting her brother, E.F. Thomson, at Walton.

• From a fair and silver tea the ladies of the St. James church at Lake Delaware realized $120.

• Mrs. Mary Shaver and Miss Lillian Carman, of Delancey, have been visiting at David Currie’s.

• Mr. and Mrs. George Baldwin, from Spring Valley, are guests of her mother, Mrs. G.J. Dickson. [Mrs. Baldwin was Mary J. Dickson. Mr. Baldwin died in 1927 at the age of 56. Mary survived her husband over 20 years, dying in 1948.]

• Rev. and Mrs. Charles Lay and children, of Mundale, are spending his vacation with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Geo Miller.

• Louie Sanford, from near Binghamton, visited his brother-in-law, Charles Hafele, over Saturday night. His son who has bene at the Hafele home for the past year or more, went home with him. 

Native of Bovina

Mrs. Nancy R. Scott, who for several years had made her home with her nephew, David H. Muray, at Bible School Park, near Binghamton, died August 16. She was the widow of Jas Scott and was born in Bovina on June 17, 1847. Her maiden name was Nancy Coulter. Burial was in Bovina.

Miller Clan Meet

There were about 75 relatives present at the annual reunion of the descendants of the three Miller brothers who came to this country, which was held at the home of Miss Bell Miller in Bovina Center, on Tuesday. The day was pleasantly spent and the bountiful lunch enjoyed. Several families were not represented. The reunion for 1925 will be held at Wautaga Falls probably sometime in June.

Bovina Boys Win

At the Delaware County picnic last Thursday the following Bovina boys were winners: Ledger Myers, 1st in 50 year dash for boys under 12 years; Hugh McPherson, 2d. In Jersey sack race, Frank McPherson was 1st and Ledger Myers 3d. In 3-legged Holstein race Ledger Myers, 3d; Frank McPherson, 4th. In 50-yard dash over 12, Lester McPherson, 2nd. 

Bovina Lad Found Dead in Bed

Lloyd Oliver had Expired in Early hours of August 24

Lloyd Oliver was found dead in bed at the home of John Burns, who lives in the upper part of the town of Bovina, Sabbath morning, August 24.  It is stated that he had not been in the best of health but was no worse.  He had been out Saturday night and was heard to come in about 2 o’clock Sabbath morning.  Between 5 and 6 o’clock when Mr. Burns rapped on his door he received no reply.  Entering the room he found young Oliver lying with his back toward the front of the bed, apparently asleep.  Mr. Burns placed his hand on him and could not arouse him.  He then called Mrs. Burns and they found that the young man was dead.  He had apparently passed away as he slept.  Mrs. Burns heard a groan about 5 o’clock and there was a sound like a gasp following it, but thought nothing of it.

Deceased was a son of the late John Oliver was born in Bovina 22 years ago on June 15th last.  He is survived by his mother, a brother, William Oliver, in Harpersfield, and two sisters, Mrs. Fred Thomson, in Bovina, and Mrs. Harry Martin at Cannonsville.  The funeral held Tuesday was largely attended.  

This Day in Bovina for July 2024

 

Here's the compilation of the Town of Bovina Historian Facebook page entries for the month of July:

Eighty-five years ago today, on July 1, 1939, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Delaware Republican, the Bovina Boy Scout troop, accompanied by Rev. McClellan and Edward Schneider returned from a two day trip to the World's Fair in New York City. This image is a post for the 39 Fair created by Joseph Binder: 

Eighty-two years ago today, the Bovina column of the July 2, 1942 Delaware Republican reported that "Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Ormiston and two sons of Liberty spent the week-end with his mother, Mrs. Margaret Ormiston." Edwin was the brother of Lois Ormiston Davidson and Ruth Ormiston Monroe. Married to Ione Segar, he was widowed in 1981 and died in 1990 at the age of 88.

175 years ago today, in a Chattel Mortgage dated July 3, 1849, Zebulon Ashby mortgaged "the grass on the ground also the corn & potatoes, one yearling heifer red & white, one grey mare, one brown mare, nineteen sheep…one saddle & bridle & spirituous liquors & tavern furniture on the premises…" Ashby had a tavern at the Hook (Lake Delaware area). The mortgage was for $370.70.  The mortgage holder was William Schermerhorn.

198 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. 

119 years ago, on July 5, 1905, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Andes Recorder, "Claude Erkson and his aunt while returning from Hobart, met with an accident.  The passenger train rounded the curve just after they passed the crossing and the horse taking fright ran into the steep bank and upset the buggy.  Both occupants were thrown out and badly shaken up, but not seriously injured. Erkson held to the reins and stopped the horse." Claude was born in 1880, the son of Thomas and Julia (Coggeshall) Erkson. The aunt likely was Elizabeth Erkson, given that in 1905 Claude and his father were living with Elizabeth. Claude died in 1951.

Ninety-six years ago today, the July 6, 1928 Andes Recorder reported that "The new residence of Miss Angelica L. Gerry near Lake Delaware is expected to be ready for occupancy about September 1." This was Ancrum. The house would be demolished in 1963 after Miss Gerry's death. 

162 years ago today, on July 7, 1862, Charles F. Smith submitted this claim for exemption from military service "on account of ill health since he was afflicted with diphtheria…" The statement was sworn before Justice of the Peace James R. Douglas

Charles was a native of Scotland, born in 1818. He came to the US around 1848. He was married in 1852 to Annie Williamson, who died a few months after the birth of her second child in 1855. He remarried a year later to Christina Lamont. Charles lived to be 90 and was Bovina's oldest resident at the time of his death in 1908.

120 years ago today, the July 8, 1904 Andes Recorder Bovina column reported that "Alexander Burns has been building an addition to his barn.  Last week in a little less than 2 ½ days James G. and Harvey Seath, James Aitken and Jas. Boyd put on 31,000 shingles."

Eighty-two years ago today, the Bovina column in the July 9, 1942 Delaware Republican reported that "Charles Lichtenberg of Springfield, Mass, spent the week-end with his wife at the home of her mother, Mrs. Sarah Archibald. Mrs. Lichtenberg has been with her mother for some time due to her poor health. Mrs. Archibald is much improved." Mrs. Archibald was the widow of William Archibald, who died in January 1941. Mrs. Archibald passed away three years later in June 1945. Mrs. Lichtenberg died in 1986, Mr. Lichtenberg in 1999. In 2000, the estate of Charles Lichtenberg made a major bequest to the Bovina Public Library.

156 years ago today, on July 10, 1864, as later reported in the Delaware Gazette, the house of William Bailey and his wife of Bovina burned down, while the family were at church. "How the fire originated is not known. Loss estimated at about $800. Whether there was any insurance, we have not been informed." I don't know the exact location of this home, but I think it was on Scutt Mountain Road. It shows up on the 1856 Gould Map but not in the 1869 Beers Atlas. William's wife was the former Mary Curry. She died in 1865 and William in 1870. Their daughter Nancy married James Cathels. Mary's death happened while her daughter was coping with the deaths of her husband and several children: https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/search?q=cathels

132 years ago today, a post card dated July 11th, 1892 from Ghent, NY was later published in the Delaware Republican: "Dear Sir:- Knowing the great value of the dairy interest of the town of Bovina, I am desirous of taking a census of the town; wishing to learn the value of the cows and their products. This census will be incorporated in the annual report of the New York State Dairymen's Association. Can you have the number of your cows, the amount of butter made, the amount obtained from sale of butter, calves, etc., the quantity of grain fed and the cost of keeping your dairy for the year ending July 1st, 1892, ready for me by the 23d of this month? This will be of great value not only to your town, but to the state as well. Please request your neighbors to do the same. I am, very truly yours, Geo T. Powell, Treasurer N.Y. State Dairyman's Association." This census was conducted later in 1892.

Two hundred and four years ago today, on July 12, 1820, Thomas E. Forrest was born, son of William Forrest and Jane Wilson. He was married twice, first to Ellen Raitt, second to Margaret McEachron. He died March 12, 1887 and is buried in Bovina.

122 years ago today, on July 13, 1902, Miss Margaret Thomson died at the age of 84. As later reported in the Andes Recorder, "She had been suffering for some time with heart trouble and had been unable to lay down. On Thursday previous to her death she felt the atmosphere of the house oppressive and was moving toward the door assisting herself by shoving a chair before her. In some manner the chair slipped and she fell breaking her hip. She suffered greatly. " The paper noted that she lived all her life in Bovina on the family farm. Margaret was the daughter of James Thompson Sr and Agnes Russell, both natives of Scotland. She was buried in the Bovina cemetery.

113 years ago today, the Bovina column of the July 14, 1911 Andes Recorder reported that "For several years the pupils in the D.J. Miller district have been sent to the Center school, but for the coming year the Center district wants $25 per pupil. The Armstrong district will take the pupils but all the Miller district do not approve of this and the matter remains unsettled." The Miller district (number 5) was located at Miller Avenue and Lee Hollow in the Bramley Mountain area. The Armstrong district (number 10) was located on East Bramley Mountain Road.

134 years ago today, the July 15, 1890 Stamford Mirror reported that "from a recent survey by E.W. Lindsley, the residence of George Brown, which has been recognized as standing in the town of Bovina, was shown to be in Andes." This property was near the Gerry estate and ultimately appears to have "stayed" in Bovina. In 1904, George sold the farm and the following year moved his family to Colorado. He died there in 1932. His wife Margaret died there in 1944.

Eighty-two years ago today, the Lake Delaware Column of the Delaware Republican for July 16, 1942 reported that "The Venerable A. Abbott Hastings (1887-1972), arch-deacon of the Diocese of Albany, was a guest of Miss Angelica Gerry the first of the week."

Seventy-two years ago today, the July 17, 1952 Delaware Republican Express reported the following in its Bovina column: "A/Sgt Isabelle Johnston from W.A.C.T.C. Fort Lee, Va, made a surprise visit to the home of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. T. George Johnston Saturday and Sunday evening. She returned with Mr. and Mrs. William Wilson to Millbrook where Monday morning she left New York for her return back to camp. She reports it is very warm in Virginia." This photograph of Johnston was taken by Bob Wyer in September 1952. 

Eighty-four years ago today, the Bovina column of the July 18, 1940 Delaware Republican carried this item: "Lester MacPherson (sic) fell from the hay load into the mow on Saturday. He was not seriously injured."

123 years ago today, the Bovina column of the Andes Recorder for July 19, 1901 reported that "The new creamery will be located on Alex Hilson's flat and will be 28 x 60 feet and two story." This was the Bovina Center Cooperative Creamery, which opened in 1902 and operated until 1973.

It was five years ago today, July 20, 2019, that the Bovina Country Pie and Cake Auction was held at the community. The over $3,000 raised by the auction went to the Bovina Bicentennial celebration fund. The success was due to auctioneer Chuck McIntosh and to the work of the auction committee Brooke Alderson, Pamela Benson, Wendy Buerge, and Briana Riera.

113 years ago today, the July 21, 1911 Bovina column of the Andes Recorder reported that Isaac Hauver from Lexington in Greene County "brought two sacks of wool to Johnson Bros' mill in Bovina to have it carded ready for spinning. He made the trip on foot carrying the wool on his back."

115 years ago today, on July 22, 1909, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, Bovina native William Irvine, son of John and Elizabeth Irvine (and brother of Isabell Russell) "started for Seattle, Washington, to attend the exposition and also with a view of locating in the west if satisfactory." William indeed did settle in the Seattle area. He later would travel to China, Japan and the Philippines as director of ceremonies for the Shriners. He was married to Hazel Price in 1922. In 1925 he became ill with a brain tumor and spent the rest of his life battling it, including having at least two brain operations in Rochester, Minnesota. He recovered enough after the first surgery to pay a visit to his family in Bovina during Thanksgiving 1926. William died in May 1929 in Seattle.

197 years ago today, on July 23, 1827, commissioners appointed by Judge Bostwick convened on the property of John Hastings to set damages for a private road built by David Thomson through the lands of Mr. Hastings. Damages were assessed at nine dollars. 

121 years ago today, on July 24, 1903, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "the Gerry young people and a party of friends made a coaching trip to Cooperstown ….  Relays of four horses were stationed at Delhi, Meredith, Portlandville and Oneonta."

105 years ago today, the July 25, 1919 Andes Recorder reported in its Bovina column that "William A. Hoy is having his residence, the Pressley house, treated to a new dress of paint." It was built in the 1890s by Bovina pastor Mason Pressley. It was owned for many years by Jim and Margaret Hoy, then by John and Margaret Hilson.

Ninety-five years ago today, on July 26, 1929, the Rev. William M. Robb passed away in China. His wife, the former Orlena Russell, was from Bovina. Their children were living with Orlena's mother. As later reported in the Delaware Republican, "This is very sad news for them as well as the whole church. Rev. Robb was a speaker in Delhi while on his last furlough."

130 years ago today, the Bovina column of the July 27, 1894 Andes Recorder reported that "We learn that Bovina is to have a furniture store in the near future, Hoy's Hall having been hired for the purpose." Whether or not this enterprise took off I cannot determine. 

150 years ago today, the Stamford Mirror for July 28, 1874 carried this item: "Miss Maggie Lockhart, of Bovina, has accepted an appointment as Missionary to Egypt, under the care of the Board of Foreign Missions of the U.P. Church. She was recommended to the Board by Rev. J.B. Lee and expects to leave for her field of labor about the 1st of September." Maggie actually had lived in Andes and was living in Virginia around this time. She was recommended by the pastor of the Bovina UP Church. In April 1878, the Stamford Mirror reported that after four years in Egypt, she was "about to return home, as her health is failing." She was back in the U.S. by 1879. She died in Virginia of consumption (tuberculosis) in 1882.

Eighty-one years ago today, the July 29, 1943 Delaware Republican Express reported that "Mr. and Mrs. H.F. Davidson took their son, Lt. Edwin Douglas Davidson, to Albany on his way back to duty after a ten-day furlough here."

Fifty-eight years ago today, on July 30, 1966, Callie Boggs Hastings died. Born in 1883, she was the daughter of Thomas R. Boggs and Jane Archibald. Callie was married to Milt Hastings in 1950 and was widowed in October 1964. Callie is buried in the Bovina Cemetery. [Note: Emily Elliott Burns died the same day as Callie. Emily was the mother of Robert Burns, Sr., Jim Burns, Eleanor Archibald, Clarence Burns and Kathryn Messina.]

Augusta Lee, daughter of Alphonso Lee and Adelia Howland, was born 181 years ago today, July 31 1843.  She would die two and a half years later and is buried in the Brush cemetery next to the library.