This Day in Bovina for December

Here are the daily Bovina history bits that were posted on the Bovina NY History Facebook page for December:

Ninety eight years ago on December 1, 1915, the Hilson Bros new feed store was dedicated "by a dance with 57 numbers." This is photo of the feed store taken in the late 1980s.

John William Storie, son of Alexander Storie and Esther Cowan was born 150 years ago on December 2, 1863.  He was the last child of Alexander and Esther Storie.  They had five children in total, but the two eldest died within a few days of each other in October 1862.  John would marry Jennie Laidlaw in 1890 and have two sons, William and George.  He died in 1944 when he was 80.

106 years ago on December 3, 1907, Miss Jennie Dickson died at the home of her nephew, Dr. G.J. Dickson, aged 79 years.  As later reported in the Andes Recorder, "She sustained a shock several weeks ago.  She was a dauter of Gilbert Dickson and was born in Scotland, but most of her life was spent on homestead farm above New Kingston."  The funeral and burial took place on December 5 in Bovina.

115 years ago on December 4, 1898, Duncan Campbell died.  His passing was reported a few days later in the Andes Recorder:  "While he has not been in the best of health for some time he was seen on our streets last Wednesday and was taken ill that night.  He was born in Scotland, December 24, 1817, and came to this country in 1820, when it took forty two days to come across the ocean.  In 1857 he was married and came to Bovina and farmed it for thirty five years, and in 1893 he moved to this village where has since lived.  The funeral was held Tuesday in the Reformed Presbyterian church the sermon being preached by Rev. T. Slater, and the interment made in the new cemetery.  He leaves a wife and seven children, two sons and five daughters."

Ninety five years ago on December 5, 1918, as later reported by the Oneonta Star, "Ralph Barnhart and sister, Mrs. Anna B. Calhoun, and G.D. Miller and wife, of Bovina Center, were in Oneonta ….The ride … in the early morning was not devoid of incidents, one of them being that their vehicle passed through snow drifts four feet deep on the Swart Hollow road between this city and the Ouleout valley."  Anna Calhoun was my grandmother and had just learned three weeks earlier that her husband had been killed in France in World War I.

Ninety five years ago, on December 6, 1918, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "A party was held at A.P. Lee’s.... Dancing was indulged in."

On December 7, 1914, ninety nine years ago, there was a fire at the Howard McPherson residence. Here's how the Andes Recorder reported it: "A small fire about midnight Monday night did about $15 damage in the residence of Howard McPherson, adjoining Elliott Thomson's blacksmith shop. During the evening the chimney had burned out but at 11:30 everything was apparently all right. Half an hour later Mrs. McPherson heard something fall and ongoing upstairs found the rooms filled with smoke. Mr. McPherson was not at home and she aroused the neighbors. The fire was in the partition and was put out by the use of several pails of water." This is now the Kim and Marcelo Riera residence.

Eighty five years ago on December 8, 1928, Mrs. John McCune fell while hurrying across the street to avoid an on-coming car and sustained a sprained ankle.  That same day, David LaFever, son of Mr. and Mrs. Benson LaFever, was born at the LaFever home, about a mile from Bovina Center.  David lived less than two years, dying in March 1930.

One hundred and twelve years ago on December 9, 1901, Spillman Riggs, lecturer, whistler, musical impersonator appeared at Strangeway's Hall.

The thermometer registered from 2 to 5 degrees below zero 113 years ago on December 10, 1900.

Ninety nine years ago on December 11, 1914, a horse owned by John Hilson and driven by James Hilson ran away while it was hitched to a cutter.  The horse took fright and ran from the street onto the flat below the creamery, causing some damage to the cutter.  Apparently James and the horse were not hurt.

Abigail Fuller was born 159 years ago on December 12, 1854.  The daughter of James Seacord and Esther Close, she married Thomas Fuller in 1878 and was widowed in 1913.  Abigail died 80 years ago on her 79th birthday December 12, 1933.

118 years ago, the December 13, 1895 issue of the Andes Recorder reported that "A club called 'Patrons of Industry' has been organized at Bovina, with Sloan Archibald, president and A.T. Russell, vice president.  It is proposed to establish a store at the Butt End and buy their supplies at wholesale, and thus dispense with the profits of the middlemen."  It is not clear how long the organization operated, though there are references in the Andes Recorder to about 1898 about the activities of the Patrons.

*Ninety years ago, the Andes Recorder in its December 14, 1923 issue reported that the " Bovina Dairymen have received notice that they must put in three ton of ice per cow.  Must want the milk made into ice cream."

Ninety nine years ago on December 15, 1914,  thermometers registered 2 above zero.  The following morning, the temperature was zero.

Eighty seven years ago on December 16, 1926 - M.T. Hastings sent this bill to Town of Bovina Highway department.

Ninety three years ago the illness of a child put off a golden wedding anniversary celebration.  The Andes Recorder reported that "Ralph, the 10 year old son of James Mabon was operated upon Friday, December 17, 1920, at Delhi for appendicitis.  Because of his illness, the celebration of his grandparents 50th anniversary (James and Ellen Mabon), scheduled for December 21, was postponed."

115 years ago this afternoon, December 18, 1898, Mrs. Charles F. Smith died at the age of 90.  The Andes Recorder, when reporting her death, noted that "Her maiden name was Christina Lamont and she came to this town over 40 years ago.  She was an excellent woman, a good neighbor; always cheerful and she will be missed in this community as well as in her home.  On Tuesday the funeral was held, the sermon being preached by Rev. Samson, and the interment was in the Bovina cemetery."

Eighty four years ago on December 19, 1929, Grace Edna Boggs, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Boggs, of upper Bovina, died, just five days shy of her fourth birthday.  The Andes Recorder Bovina correspondent reported that she died "as a result of cancer of the throat."  A growth was removed from her neck, "but this only caused the disease to develop more rapidly."  Grace was the sister of Anna Boggs Hobbie Lounsbury, Mary Boggs Bathen and Helen Boggs Tyrell.  Helen died a year ago, dying 83 years to the day after her sister.  Helen was only 14 months old at her sister's death. This picture, found in photographs my grandmother LaFever had, may include Grace.  The two older girls definitely are Anna (b 1922) and Mary (b 1924).  The youngest I think likely is Grace (b 1925) rather than Helen (b 1928), based on their relative ages.

Wallace Smith, Bovina's Supervisor-elect, died 70 years ago on December 20, 1943, at the Delhi hospital.  Smith had been elected Supervisor in November, to succeed Charles Lee, whom he defeated.  Smith was a Democrat and had served two previous terms as Supervisor.  He was 70 years old at the time of his death.  On January 6, 1944, the Bovina Town Board voted to appoint Charles Lee as Supervisor for one year to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Smith.  Lee went on to win election to the position in November 1944.

119 years ago, December 21, 1894, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "The scholars of the village school [gave] an entertainment, Friday evening, December 21, to raise money to purchase a clock."  The entertainment raised about $25.

Jane, the 15 month old daughter of Walter Coulter and Margaret Storie, died 184 years ago on December 22, 1829.  Out of the 12 children they would have, four would die before reaching adulthood - a fifth child, their eldest daughter, died six weeks after her marriage.

118 years ago on December 23, 1895, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Bovina had a case of Kidnapping on Monday evening. Archie VanBramer came to W.B. Thompson's to see his wife, a daughter of Mr. Thompson, and his child and had the child brought out to the wagon and then took it into the wagon and sent his wife to the house on some trivial excuse and in her absence drove away with the child. The child has not yet been recovered. It is thought that Van Bramer hopes to secure money for the return of the child." The Andes Recorder reported in its January 17, 1896 issue that Van Bramer brought the child back "of his own accord, after having caused the family lots of trouble and worry. If he has any shame about him he should be ashamed of his recent capers." I'm not sure which Thomson/Thompson this was, but there was a William B. Thomson (1843-1929) and he had a daughter Cora - but I have not confirmed this is the same person yet.

104 years ago on December 24, 1909, Bovina had a rather sad Christmas Eve day.  In the morning, the funeral of a daughter of Fred Bramley, Marian Jenette, was held and that afternoon, that of William G. McNee.  The Bramley child had died on December 21 at the age of about 7 months.  The next day, McNee collapsed as he was going to the outhouse and died on the spot.  He was 59 years old.

117 years ago on December 25, 1896, a "Christmas tree" was held at Strangeway's Hall.  As later reported in the Andes Recorder, it "was a success and well attended.  There were lots of presents for the children and some of the older folks were in luck.  Everyone enjoyed themselves apparently."

Ninety four years, the December 26, 1919 issue of the Andes Recorder reported that "In addition to the new highways to be constructed in Delaware County during 1920, the 2.34 miles of the Bovina Center state road will be re-constructed with concrete."  This likely refers to a section of what is now County Route 6.

116 years ago, on December 27, 1897, the thermometer registered sixteen degrees below zero at the Butt End.  This was the coldest so far that winter.

119 years ago in the December 28, 1894 issue of the Andes Recorder reported in the Bovina column that the "butter market is very dull. Many of our farmers have not yet sold and those who have cannot get the buyers to take the butter away."

114 years ago, in the December 29, 1899 issue of the Andes Recorder in the Bovina column, the following appeared:  "A new order just received from the State Department forbids the acceptance of any excuse from pupils except for sickness, and that only on the certificate of a physician.  Take warning."

A notice from the Andes Recorder, dated 146 years ago:  "Estray – Came to the premises of the subscriber, on our about the 16th of December, a Newfoundland dog.  The owner can have the same by proving property and paying charges. Jas. Coulter, Bovina Valley, Dec. 30, 1867." Bovina Valley is now the Lake Delaware area.  And no, I have not found out if anyone ever came forward to claim the dog.

147 years ago, on December 31, 1866, the Bovina UP Church session passed the following resolution: “Whereas Elder Wm Thomson has for the past 18 months failed to perform his duties as an elder and whereas Mr. Thomson has not given to Session any reason for this course, or formerly tendered his resignation of the office of Elder, and whereas it is desirable that there be a free interchange of views between Session and Mr. T. therefore Res That Mr. Wm Thomson be again cited to appear before Session to either tender his resignation or give excuse for his neglect of duty.  Res 2nd That in case Mr. Thomson refuse or neglect to appear at the next meeting of Session, his case be referred directly to the Presbytery for its actions and instruction.  Res 3 That a copy of the above resolution be given to Mr Thomson, with his citation to appear at the next meeting of Session on the 22nd of January 1867.”  Thomson ultimately resumed his duties.  His absence was due to a family squabble that is further documented in the Bovina NY History blog for May 5 and 17, 2011.  http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2011/05/brothers-in-law-part-i.html

Holiday Greetings from the 1930s

I came across these two holiday cards that were sent to my grandparents, Ben and Anna Bell LaFever.  They date from the 30s - one of the cards has a date of 1936.  They come from Mr. and Mrs. W.D. Burns of Walton, NY.  W.D. is William Douglas Burns and Mrs. Burns is his second wife, Bessie Hughes Burns.  William was a first cousin once removed of my grandfather LaFever (and of Agnes Burns).  Born in about 1861 in Meredith, NY, William was the son of William Burns and Emily Jane McFarland.  He was married twice, first to Elizabeth Terry, who died in 1910, then later to Bessie Hughes.  They lived in Walton for many years where William was a clothing merchant.  He died in May 1945, age 85.  Bessie Hughes was born in 1888.  She survived her husband by over 30 years, dying in July 1977 at the age of 89.

Illegitimate Child of Robert Dysart

One hundred and fifty years ago, on October 14, 1863, Robert Dysart, the son of Peter and Jane Dysart, died on Folly Island, South Carolina of typhoid fever, one of the eleven Bovina 'boys' to die in the Civil War. Robert left to mourn his loss his parents, Peter and Jane Dysart.  And though not married, he also left behind a four month old son. Robert has the distinction of being the only Bovina Civil War fatality to have left behind a child. This son would have been referred to in the 19th century as a bastard child, but he appears to have grown up in a stable home and was not shunned because of the circumstance of his birth – nor was his mother.

We likely will never know the whole story of how Robert met Eleanor Thomson, the mother of his child. Eleanor was the daughter of John R. Thomson. Robert and Eleanor probably were “seeing each other” before he headed off to war. The baby likely was conceived just before Dysart’s departure with the 144th Infantry in September 1862, for nine months later, in June 1863*, Eleanor gave birth to a son, who she named for his father. If Dysart had not gone off to war, would he have married Eleanor before the birth of their child? He was down south fighting and likely did not have the option of rushing home to make things right. But we can only speculate as to what Robert would have done if the war had not intervened.

Their son ultimately was known as Robert Thomson, using his mother’s maiden name, but in the census records, his name varies.  His first appearance in the 1865 census lists him Robert Thomson, living with his mother and Thomson grandparents. In 1869, when Robert was six years old, Eleanor married a prosperous widower, John Thomas Miller**. Miller had lost his wife a year before and was left with five children to raise, ranging in age from 16 to 2.  The 1870 census listing for the John Miller household includes a boy, Robert Miller.  In the 1880 census, Robert again shows up with his stepfather and mother, this time listed as Robert Dysart.

By the time of his marriage to Mina Kaufman in December 1888, Robert officially is going by the name Robert A. Thomson, and would do so the rest of his life.   The record for his marriage, however, does include the fact that his father was Robert Dysart. Robert and Mina settled in the Stamford area and were well regarded there.  They had one daughter, who predeceased them.  Robert died in 1939 and is buried in the Bovina Cemetery, as is his wife, who died in 1954. They were survived by one granddaughter, Barbara Shaw.

Did Robert Dysart know about his son? Given that the child was four months old when Dysart died in South Carolina, it seems unlikely that someone would not have written him about it.  And how did Robert's parents react to this grandchild? Peter and Jane both died in 1877 and left no documentary evidence, such as letters or a will, that would let us know whether or not they acknowledged the child. When they were married in or around 1837, however, they found themselves in a situation very similar to that of Robert and Eleanor. It seems that they would not have had grounds to ostracize this child and his mother.

Peter Dysart was born in Scotland in 1807. He came to America in 1833 and was in Bovina shortly after his arrival. Peter married a Bovina woman, Jane Patterson, though there is no record of the actual date of the marriage. Their first son, Robert, was born in May of 1837. It is likely that Jane was pregnant when she married Peter, for in September 1837, she was accused before the Associate Presbyterian Church session of Anti-nuptial fornication (ie, pre-marital sex). Someone must have done the math and figured out that the marriage and birth date were less than nine months apart. After some discussion with the session members assigned to speak with her on the charge, Jane agreed to be rebuked and was restored to church privileges.

One can speculate that the response from the grandparents either was sympathetic, because they had been in a similar situation and it was their dead son’s child, or they wanted nothing to do with the child because it was a situation that brought back bad memories. We probably will never know, but evidence indicates that most people in Bovina accepted the situation. The fact that six years later Eleanor was married to a prominent member of the community and that his children accepted both mother and child into the family says that the circumstances of Robert's birth were not held against them. Of course, one also can see the practical side to this marriage. J.T. Miller needed a mother for his children and Eleanor Thomson needed a father for her son. But what started out as a marriage of convenience lasted until John's death 30 years later. A year after their marriage, they had a daughter Margaret, the only child they had together.  Eleanor survived her husband by 20 years, dying in Hobart in 1920. Her obituary mentioned not only her son but listed as surviving daughters her step daughters, as well as her daughter with Miller. My general sense is that Eleanor was a good step mother.  For the youngest step-daughter, Lib Miller Blair, Eleanor would have been the only mother she knew.

Sometimes, people think of a community like Bovina in the 19th century as being very censorious but it seems that in this situation, at least, the community and family knew the circumstances (I suspect that if Robert's paternity was a secret, it was a pretty open one), accepted them and moved on. We sometimes do not give our ancestors enough credit for how forgiving they could be.

* Though Robert’s obituary says his birthdate was June 20, 1864 and his headstone says 1865, I have determined that June 1863 likely is the date, based on his first appearance in the New York State census in 1865.  The census was done based on inhabitants in a place on June 1, 1865 and his age is very specifically given as 1 year and 11 months, making a date of June 20, 1863 the most likely one.
**J.T. Miller lived for many years where the Jack and June Burns farm is located.  And Miller was my 3 greats grandfather.

December 2013 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

A fire related to the state road construction and a possible strike at the dry milk plant were just some of the things going on 100 years ago in Bovina.

December 5, 1913
•    Herman Coulter is building a new milk house.
•    Robert Hunt has bought a Ford Motor Car and it was delivered this week.
•    Miss Kate and Frederika Muller spent Thanksgiving with their sister, Mrs. McCumber at Andes.
•    Eugene Storie has purchased a five passenger Maxwell automobile from Chas T. Telford and Russell Archibald.

Fire in Bovina Wednesday

Buildings at E. Coulter’s Belonging to State Road Contractors Burned

The large bunk house and adjoining small buildings belonging to the Ruddy and Saunders Construction Company, contractors who built the Andes-Delhi State road, and located at Ed L. Coulter’s were destroyed by fire soon after noon Wednesday. 

In addition to the buildings the big auto truck, two loads of lumber and a barrel of gasoline which were stored in the bunk house were destroyed.  The lumber had only been put into the building the day before.

The fire was discovered by Mr. Coulter about one o’clock and in less than twenty minutes had burned up everything that would burn.  No cause for the fire is known. [Ed Coulter lived on Route 28 towards the Andes/Bovina town line.]

December 12, 1913
•    Peter G. Gerry has again presented the Bovina library with magazines and two daily papers.
•    E.C. Doonan, who is a painter, has moved from Kortright into rooms in Mrs. Kate McCune’s house in Bovina Center.
•    Mr. and Mrs. David J. Miller, who about a year ago moved from this town to Walton village, left that place Monday night for Pasadena, California, where they will spend the winter in hopes that the climate will benefit their health. 

December 19, 1913
•    A dance is to be held in the town hall on New Year’s Eve.
•    Miss Louise Dennis left Saturday for Virginia, where she will spend the winter with her brother, John P. Dennis.
•    Miss Margaret Chisholm underwent an operation for cancer of the breast on Monday at the Post Graduate hospital in New York City and is doing well.  Mrs. William Crosier, who accompanied her to New York, arrived home Tuesday evening. [Ironically, Margaret passed away the day this item was published in the newspaper.  See this blog for October 19, 2013 for more on the Chisholms.]

December 26, 1913
•    Professor Archie Coulter is spending the holidays here.
•    Edith Liddle is home from teachers’ training class at Walton.
•    Robert E. Thomson has purchased a Ford Motor Car from Robert Lewis of Andes.
•    Miss Helen Burgin was at Delhi the first of the week, enjoying a ride in George Miller’s auto.
•    At the Oliver sale Wednesday cows sold for from $22 to $66.  A cow owned by John Doig brought $72. 
•    Alex Hilson has had a new lighting plant installed in his store and now lights it with gasoline gas.  It was installed by Ed Hanlon, of Andes. 
•    The Dry Milk Company has cut the wages of the men employed in their plant here.  It is stated that unless the old wages are restored there may be a strike. 
•    For the month of November patrons of the Bovina Center Co-Operative Creamery received 44 cents per pound for butter fat.  The Up-town Co-Op creamery paid 44 cents for butter fat, and skim milk extra.
•    One of the cylinders in the Dry Milk plant bursted under the pressure of the steam, but fortunately no one was near it.  Some damage was done to the woodwork.  The other cylinders have since been tested under higher pressure. 

Stories from Bovina's Cemeteries - The Tragic Death of Samuel Dean

Samuel Dean died December 13, 1867, when he was only 25 years old.   Born in Bovina, he was the son of John Dean and Elizabeth Johnson.  The Dean's lived in the Reagan Road area of Bovina.  In September 1865, Samuel married Paulina Coan.  They were married just over two years when on December 12, 1867, Samuel and his two sisters, Lucy and Emily, came to Andes to visit a friend.  The Andes Recorder reported that "[w]hile taking care of his horses, Mr. D. received a severe kick from one of them, in the inferior part of the abdomen, on the right of the medial line.  In a few hours severe inflammation ensued." Local doctors were called in but could do nothing. Samuel lasted until the next evening, when after a day of "intense suffering, every hour showing more and more the fatal nature of the injury..." he passed away.   The Recorder noted that "Mr. Dean was a young man, highly esteemed as a citizen and a Christian. He leaves a wife, a widowed mother, two brothers and two sisters to mourn his loss."

Dean is buried in the Bovina Cemetery.  His wife did not remarry and had been widowed almost 53 years at the time of her death in 1920.

Portraits of Marjorie

I've been reviewing some pictures from the Cecil Russell family and have come across some portaits of Marjorie from the 1930s and 40s that I thought would be fun to share.  Marjorie was born in 1919 in Bovina and lived there most of her life - the exception being the period from 1937 to 1942 when she went to Muskingham College in Ohio and taught in a school in Ohio for a year after graduating.  She came back to Bovina in the summer of 1942.

These three images are portraits taken of Marjorie during her time attending Delaware Academy.  

Marjorie in 1933

Marjorie in 1935

Marjorie in 1936, her senior year

Marjorie studied home economics at Muskingham College in New Concord, Ohio.  Two years behind her was a gentleman named John Glenn - yes, THE John Glenn, who was the first American to orbit the earth and later became a senator from Ohio. I understand that she was at least acquainted with Glenn while in college and that she was friends with Glenn's future wife, Anna, who was only a year behind Marjorie. Here is Marjorie's senior portrait from Muskingham college.

For people who remember what a skinny little thing she was, these pictures of a somewhat plump Marjorie will be a surprise.  

I found a later series of portraits that were taken after Marjorie's return to Bovina.  I suspect they were taken in the late 1940s for she looks slimmer. This photo below appears to be the pose she chose. I think it comes closer to the Marjorie I remember for she's smiling broadly here, which she was not in the previous images. Maybe she was trying to look more serious and grown up in the earlier pictures!

To close this entry out, here are eight other shots taken at the same photo shoot.  I think they demonstrate that fun side to Marjorie that many of us remember.  

This Day in Bovina for November

Here are the daily Bovina history bits that were posted on the Bovina NY History Facebook page for November (there won't be an entry for November 22 because I did a blog entry for November 22, 1963 instead) [Note: the asterisks are to note latitude and longitude to help you locate certain houses]:

184 years ago today, on November 1, 1829, Jannet Raitt was born. The daughter of Thomas Raitt and Jennet Thorburn, Jannet would die in Bovina in 1846 when she was only 16.

Ninety eight years ago today, on November 2, 1915, one of the items appearing on the ballot in Bovina and statewide was a constitutional amendment to confer equal suffrage upon women. In Bovina, there were 77 votes in favor but 103 against, with 32 blank or void votes. The amendment failed statewide. Here is the sheet that recorded the results of this vote. Two years later another women suffrage amendment succeeded in New York State. Bovina voters this time supported the amendment - by 13 votes. At that election, 97 voters supported women suffrage and 84 voted against it.

155 years ago today, November 3, 1858, Edward O’Connor signed this document submitting his claim for expenses as commissioner of highways.  O’Connor is noted in history as one of the two men sentenced to hang for the killing of Undersheriff Osman Steele during the Anti-Rent War in 1845.  O’Connor’s sentence was commuted to life in prison and he was released from prison within about a year.  He had been a town official before going to prison and resumed participating in town government after his release. 

The widow of the late John W. Bramley was found dead in bed 114 years ago this morning, November 4, 1899.  As later reported in the Andes Recorder:  “[Mrs. Bramley] had not been feeling well for a few days and had complained of her stomach.  The doctor was there Wednesday but it was thought she would be better in a few days.  Thursday morning her son Fred, went to her room about 4 o’clock and spoke to her and receiving no answer, thought she was asleep.  About an hour later he went back and found her dead.  She was cold and must have been dead when he was in the first time.  She was 72 years old.”  Her husband John had just died  two weeks previously on October 19.

About 100 of the 212 women voters in Bovina voted 95 years ago today, November 5, 1918.  As reported later by the Andes Recorder, “Their votes did not change results in the town except to swell the Prohibition vote by about 40.”  Women in New York gained the right to vote in the November 1917.  This was the first time in New York that women were able to vote.  Women suffrage became nationwide in 1920.

113 years ago on Election Day, November 6, 1900, the ladies of the Methodist church served meals in A.T. Strangeway’s rooms and the receipts were about $15.  Also reported on Election day in the Andes Recorder was the number of votes cast in Bovina – 262.  This was a gain of 11 over four years previous.  There were two void ballots and 11 Prohibition votes.  Of the total vote McKinley received 190, a gain of 11, and Bryan 58…

Fifty eight years ago today, on November 7, 1955, John S. Burns died.  Born in Bovina in 1888, he was the son of Alexander Burns and Nancy Miller.  He married Elizabeth Carnright and had two daughters, Mary, who would later marry Harold Lounsbury, and Agnes, who was married to Robert Burns, Sr.  He was widowed when his wife Elizabeth died in 1952.  John is the grandfather of Jack and Bob Burns.

216 years ago today, on November 8, 1797, Margaret Donald was born in Scotland.  She married Henry McDonald in 1818 in Scotland and they started their family there.  Sometime after 1832, they emigrated to the United States.  They had six children, four born in Scotland and two in Bovina.  They farmed in the Mountain Brook area and then retired to a house just outside of Bovina Center – the house I now live in as it so happens.  Margaret was widowed at the end of 1879 and survived her husband by barely a month, dying on February 3, 1880.

Ninety seven years ago today, on November 9, 1916, William R. Miller died at the age of 63.  The Miller family had a bereavement three days earlier, when William’s cousin Kate Barnhart lost her husband Jeremy at the age of 49.  Both cousins lived on Pink Street.  William had the farm at the corner of Pink Street and Scutt Mountain Road.

149 years ago today, on November 10, 1864, tavern keeper Dorcas Aitkin presented this bill for various services to the town, including lodging four recruits likely receiving town bounty to help Bovina meet its quota (who these men were we do not know).  Her hotel/tavern was located where the Jardine house is now located*.

Gordon Coulter entered the blacksmith shop of Gideon Miller to learn the trade 106 years ago today, November 11, 1907.  Gordon probably is Elton Gordon Coulter (1891-1945), the son of David and Lucy Coulter and an uncle to Grace Coulter Roberts.

113 years ago today, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, “Supervisor John A. Irvine went to Delhi [on November 12, 1900] … to attend the meeting of the supervisors.  John looks well to the interests of the town.”  John was the father of Isabell Russell.

Eighty eight years ago this evening, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror, “A masquerade and box social was held in the Hillis hall on Friday night, November 13,[1925] for the benefit of the lecture course. The proceeds amounted to $23.15. Season tickets were on sale at the social and there will be an opportunity given on Tuesday morning, November 24th, at nine o’clock at the post office for those having secured season tickets and choose their seats for the course. The first number will be given November 28th in the Hillis Hall by the ‘Fernandez Russell Duo.’” Hillis Hall was once known as Strangeway’s Hall and later was Clayt Thomas’s garage.**

104 years ago today, on Sunday, November 14, 1909, the pastors of the Bovina United Presbyterian, Reformed Presbyterian and Methodist churches all preached sermons against dancing.

Ninety five years ago today, in its November 15, 1918 issue, The Andes Recorder reported that “Andrew T. Doig, who for a number of years has conducted a general merchandise business in the Thos E. Hastings store, has sold his business to Cecil Russell, who will take over the business January 1.”

109 years ago today, on November 16, 1904, 90 year old Mina Mabon died at the home of her son, William near Lake Delaware.  The daughter of James Cairns and Jane Nichol, she married William Mabon in 1841.  They had six children and were married 52 years when William died in 1893.  Mina was buried next to her husband in the Bovina Cemetery on November 18, 1904.

Margaret Sanderson Doig died 141 years ago today on November 17, 1872 of typhoid fever.  Born in Washington County, NY in 1807, she was the daughter of Patrick Sanderson and Nancy Hodge.  She was married Andrew Doig and would have nine children.  Andrew died in 1865.

Eighty nine years ago today, on November 18, 1924, Mrs. Alex Hilson and Mr. and Mrs. Wm. C. Russell moved into their new houses.  Mrs. Hilson's home is where Mike and Christine Batey live (Mrs. Hilson was her great grandmother).  Mr. and Mrs. Russell's home is now the home of Mark Schneider and Julie Hilson.

134 years ago today, November 19, 1879, Alexander Meyers was married to Isabelle Laing.  The couple would be married for almost 68 years.  In 1939, the couple celebrated their 60th anniversary with a party given for them in the Bovina UP Church parlors.  Alex died in 1947 at the age of 91.  His wife Isabelle died 4 years later in 1951, when she was 90 years old. 

Photo by Bob Wyer, Courtesy of the Delaware County Historical Association

134 years ago today, on November 20, 1879, Isabella Coulter Armstrong died in Bovina, aged 81 years. She was the daughter of Francis Coulter and Nancy Glendenning and was the only one of their children to be born in Scotland. She was married to John Armstrong and was widowed in 1864. She was survived by six of her eleven children at her death. (Isabella is my 4 greats grandmother.)

Ninety years ago today, on November 21, 1923, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Fletcher Davidson moved from the Cable house [later known as the Currie house and located next to the old firehouse] to the house of his mother situated at the foot of Russell Hill [where the Denisons now live]."

Eighty seven years ago this evening, November 23, 1926, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, the "Pines Brook Walton Basket ball team defeated the Bovina Center team … in a hard fought game."

Ninety five years ago today, November 24, 1918, memorial services were held for Sergeant James D. Calhoun, who had been killed in action in France in October. As later reported in the Andes Recorder, "the U.P church was filled to overflowing on Sabbath at the memorial services for Sergeant James D. Calhoun.  Rev. G.A. Forbes preached the sermon.  A delegation of Sheldon Rifles from Delhi were present."  See the Bovina NY History blog entry for November 2010 for more about James.

Earl Harold Miller, son of John M. Miller of Bovina, and Miss Rachel Mary Sullivan, of St. Paul, Minnesota, were married 99 years ago today, November 25, 1914, in Minnesota. Miller was living in Minnesota by then, but had grown up on Pink Street, the son of John and Bertha Miller, at the farm that later became Suits Us Farm.*** He was a lawyer in St. Paul and ran for congress there (unsuccessfully) in 1920. Earl died in 1955 in Walton and is buried in Bovina.

Ninety years ago today, on November 26, 1923, the Bovina Town Board "met with a Mr. Rose, a representative of the New York State Gas and Electric Company to consider the giving to the said company a Franchise to build, maintain and operate a light and power line in the town.”  The franchise was granted.

Ninety three years ago, today, November 27, 1920, Mrs. John Irvine departed from Bovina to visit her son, William, in Seattle. The Andes Recorder later noted that she "made a quick trip and arrived the following Wednesday morning [December 1]". William was married in 1922 and in 1926 was diagnosed with a brain tumor. He battled the tumor for three years, undergoing several operations, including one at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota. Elizabeth would pay him a visit while he was at the clinic. William ultimately succumbed to the tumor, dying in May 1929 in Seattle, when he was 42. He left behind a widow, three brothers and his sister, Isabell Russell.

Charles F. Smith was married to Christina Lamont 157 years ago today, November 28, 1856.  This was his second marriage.  Born in Scotland in 1824, he first married Annie Williamson, by whom he had two children before her death in November 1855.  There were no children from the second marriage.  Charles was widowed again in 1898 and he died 10 years later in 1908.  He ran the hotel at what is now Jardine's for many years.*

Ninety five years ago today, on November 29, 1918, John Elliot moved from his house on Maple Avenue "to the Thomas Miller house."  The following Monday, Mrs. John Irvine, the mother of Isabell Russell, moved into the Elliott house (now the home of Tony and Norma Gabriele)****.  Note:  I'm still trying to figure out which house was the "Thomas Miller house," but I think it is the house now owned by Wayne Morris, next door to mine.*****

On November 30, 1894, 119 years ago today, a dance was held at Hoy's Hall.  As briefly reported later in the Andes Recorder: "Thirty-three numbers. Music by Eliott and Sloan."  I'm not exactly sure where Hoy's Hall was located (it was NOT Strangeway's Hall), but likely it was on what is now the Tim McIntosh property, which was owned by William Hoy for many years.

*42.2619°N 74.7882°W

**42.2623°N 74.7819°W

***42.291499°N 74.777088°W

****42.2638°N 74.7803°W

*****42.26°N 74.7762°W

Fifty Years Ago Today - Bovina and the Kennedy Assassination

Fifty years ago today, President John F. Kennedy was assassinated in Dallas, Texas.  Most people over the age of five or so remember where they were and what they were doing when they heard the news.  I was a third grader at the elementary school at Delaware Academy and recall hearing the news from my teacher, Mrs. Hillis, just as we were getting ready to leave to board the buses at the day's end.  When my sisters and I got home, we found our mom in front of the television - unusual for her for she never had the TV on during the day.  I think she still was absorbing it all, for she shooed us out of the house to play.  Since it was a mild day for November, it didn't take a lot of convincing.  We played outside in our shirtsleeves.

Earlier that day, while I was in school, my mom was doing her weekly grocery shopping in Delhi and paying her bill at Russell's Store with this check made out to Cecil Russell:

Cecil's wife Isabell, who worked alongside him in the store, kept a diary for many years.  Here are her entries for those four days in November when much of America was, in Isabell's own words 'glued' to the television:

• November 22, 1963 – Another grand day.  I put tulips in.  M[arjorie] went & got eggs this A.M. President Kennedy was shot in Texas where he was in a parade. Was shot by a communist.
• November 23 – Rainy rainy day. Just poured most of day a little cooler tonight. Real busy at store all day. [The Bovina Fire Department Ladies] Aux[illary] called their supper off tonight on account of President’s death.
• November 24 – Cloudy and snow flurries this A.M. Good crowd at church.  Snowed quite a bit this afternoon – ground all white. The man who shot the President was shot today in Texas.
• November 25 – Nice clear day but cold – 20 [degrees] this A.M.  Everybody that had television was glued to them all day [to] see the funeral of Pres. Kennedy. We closed store from 11 o’clock until 2 o’clock.  Vera [Storie], Ruth [probably Parsons] & Margaret Mc [this might be Margaret Russell McPherson] here buying Xmas presents for welfare [this was an annual thing at Russell's where a committee would purchase toys and other items for the needy at Christmas].

Four days in November that had the world and Bovina watching.

November 1913 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

November 7, 1913
•    The Village Improvement society served dinner election day, and it was also tag day.  They realized $22.
•    Breaking His Bonds was played here Wednesday evening to a $27 house by a Delhi cast under the management of Ed Hanlon, of Andes. The play was well spoken of. 

November 14, 1913
•    Supervisor Thos H. Johnson is in Delhi this week attending the annual meeting of the board of Supervisors.
•    Ellsworth Tuttle has purchased an International Feed Grinder and will grind his own feed.  He was at Andes after it Tuesday.
•    The body of Rev. George Raitt, who died some nine years ago at Newburg, was brought to Bovina on Thursday and reinterred in the Bovina Center cemetery. 
•    The current expenses of the town of Bovina for 1913, as shown by the town audits, total the sum of $1,302.51.  The amount for sheep killed was $66.  The balance from the dog fund and from the Italian fines for working on Sunday was applied on the audits reducing the amount to be raised by tax to $1,193.36.

Death of a Bovina Man

H.G. Bramley Passed Away November 7, after Long Illness

Henry Girard Bramley died at his home on the Bloomville road, Friday, November 7, with vascular disease of the heart complicated with Bright’s disease, aged 59 years, 8 months and 11 days. His illness dates back about five years and for two years he has been unable to work. He was a son of James Bramley and was born in Kortright but most of his life was spent in Bovina.  In the early seventies he went to California with his parents and his mother died there and the family soon returned to Bovina.  He married Elizabeth Seacord, of southern Bovina, who with nine children survives him.  Rev. Carver, of Bloomville, officiated at the funeral which was held Monday. Interment was in the Center cemetery. [Not sure where this farm was located but it was likely on what is now known as Reagan Road.]

November 21, 1913
•    David Liddle took a big load of turkeys to Delhi on Tuesday.
•    Born to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Brown on Tuesday, November 18, a dauter.
•    Miss Louise Dennis goes the first of December to Virginia to spend the winter with her brother, John Dennis.
•    Congressman and Mrs. Peter Gerry are at their Lake Delaware home and will remain until after Thanksgiving.
•    For the month of October the Bovina Center Co-Operative Creamery Company paid its patrons 42 cents a pound for butter fat.
•    Dr. Whitcomb accompanied Mrs. Milton Liddle to New York City last week where she underwent a serious operation.  At last reports she was doing well.

November 28, 1913
•    Mrs. David Worden and two children from Minneapolis, are visiting relatives here.
•    Born to Mr. and Mrs. Harvey C. Burgin, on Thursday, November 20, a dauter. [This was Ethel Burgin.]
•    The Center School closed with exercises Wednesday for Thanksgiving to reopen next week.
•    The grading is being done from the Hilson store to the Methodist church for a new sidewalk.
•    David F. Hoy, registrar of Cornell University, is visiting his sisters, Mrs. Douglas Davidson and Miss Jennie E. Hoy. 

Bovina's First Female Office Holder

On November 8, 1921, Mina Wilson was elected as tax collector for the town of Bovina, getting 272 votes to only 50 for her opponent, Guy Rockefeller.   The Andes Recorder reported that Wilson “came through with flying colors and has the distinction of being the first woman elected to office in the town."  Women had gained the right to vote in New York in 1918 and nationwide in 1920.

The results of the election for tax collector in the November 8, 1921 general election.

This is Mina's oath of office as tax collector.

Mina (pronounced Mi-nie) was born Wilhelmina Cooke in 1874, the daughter of William and Ellen Cook.  She was married in 1905 to Walter Wilson.  They had three children, of whom two survived her at her death in 1952.  Mina was widowed in 1944 and died in January 1952 at the age of 78.  Mina is buried with her husband in the Bovina Cemetery.

Mina's obituary from the January 25, 1952 Catskill Mountain News

Mina appears to have served as tax collector for only one term and did not run again (she was succeeded by Mary Gordon, widow of Thomas Gordon and mother of Margaret Gordon).  She was busy enough running the post office and a store in the Mountain Brook area (right where Mountain Brook Road comes out on County Route 6), which might explain why she did not run again.  Mina ran the store and post office until about 1947 when the post office was closed.

From 1921 on, Bovina appears to have always elected at least one woman to an office in Bovina.  Mina has the distinction of being the first.

Bovina's First Automobile

Since discovering the weekly Bovina column from the Andes Recorder, I was hoping to find a reference to the first person in Bovina to own an automobile.  I have found that person.  The October 16, 1908 Andes Recorder reported that "Russell McFarland, the watch repairer, is the first Bovina man to purchase an automobile.  He has a runabout, which he received Wednesday (October 14)."  The car was a new Maxwell Runabout and was purchased from Burr Hubbell in Margaretville.  Hubbell traveled to Kingston to pick up the car for McFarland.  From the Hubbell collection at the Delaware County Historical Association, we can see that McFarland paid $750 for the car on October 5.  The next day, Hubbell paid the Central Automobile Company $730 for the car.  A day later, Hubbell also had to pay another $8.27 to have the car shipped to Kingston.  He doesn't appear to have charged McFarland for that, but on October 16, McFarland paid $27 for motor oil.

Hubbell cash book, with the entry for McFarland's purchase of his Maxwell highlighted.  From collections of the Delaware County Historical Association.

Yours truly sitting in a 1907 Maxwell owned by the Hubbell family.  Photo was taken by Burr Hubbell.  It was Burr's great great uncle and namesake who sold the 1908 Maxwell to McFarland.

Russell McFarland was born Thomas Russell McFarland in March 1845, the son of Andrew Thomson McFarland and Jane Russell.  He spent his whole life in Bovina. Russell never married and with his bachelor brother Richard occupied the McFarland family farm on Bovina Road near Cape Horn Road*.  He died in January of 1915.  The Catskill Mountain News, reporting his death subtitled his obituary "Well-known genius passes away...." His obituary in the Delaware Republican noted that he "spent considerable ... time in watch and clock repairing, and he had a well equipped workshop in his house, some of the tools having been made by himself."  It went on to note that Russell was a "violinist of high order and he could play the kettle drum as well as a professional."

Grave of T. Russell McFarland, photo by Ed and Dick Davidson

At his death, he still owned the car.  In his will, he bequeathed a Maxwell automobile to his nephew Chauncey McFarland's wife Lulu.  Its value in 1915 was set at $100.  His probate file included a three-page list of his various tools, valued around $1500.  He also had a bicycle and a telescope worth $50 (and purchased for $120).

*This property later became the Lingg farm and is currently owned by the Schumann family.  Latitude - Longitude: 42.278916,-74.711915

Stories from Bovina's Cemeteries - Jimmie McClure

One hundred and twenty five years ago today, on November 2, 1888, Jimmie McClure died. Scottish born, McClure was not in Bovina all that long, but was living in the town when he died and likely because of this is also buried in Bovina.  Born in 1814 in Dumfrieshire, Scotland, he came to the United States around 1839.  The notice of his death stated that he also had been in the British Army and was collecting a pension for service in the Mexican war.  The British Army service is possible.  His emigration may have been more than just seeking an opportunity in America.  He appears on the 1860 Federal Census for Delhi, New York, listed as a "British Deserter/loafer."  Was his sailing to America that desertion?  We just do not know.

His Civil War experience also was slightly checkered - he enlisted in Hamden in the 101st NY Volunteers in December 1861 but deserted in April 1862 in Washington DC.  He then re-enlisted in Cortlandville in July 1862 in the 157th, where he was paid $50.  Such desertion and later re-enlistment was a fairly common occurrence - and soldiers generally were not punished if they re-enlisted.  James stayed on to the end of the war, mustering out with his company on July 10, 1865 at Charleston, SC.

Then he disappears from the records again until towards the end of his life, when he shows up in Bovina.  In December of 1887, McClure had been admitted to the Delaware County Poorhouse.  He was noted as being "intemperate" and that he was in the poorhouse because he was old and destitute.  The record also recorded him as being single. He was awaiting transfer to a soldiers' home, but at some point the following year, he was moved to Bovina and was being supported by the town when he died.  The Delaware Gazette reported that "'Jimmie' McClure, the eccentric character so well known here and in this vicinity, died in Bovina last Friday.  Mr. McClure formerly served in the British army, and was a soldier in the Mexican war and also in the war of the rebellion.  He was a pensioner for services in the Mexican war.  Although he had been in so much war he was never wounded."

McClure was buried in Bovina, the expense of the burial and likely this headstone being borne by the town.

This Day in Bovina for October

James Archibald Boggs was born 129 years ago today, October 1, 1884, in Bovina, the son of Thomas Boggs and Jane Archibald Boggs.  He would spend his whole life in Bovina and run the family farm.  James was married three times.  He married first Elizabeth Felton in 1913.  They had one son who died at the age of two months.  Elizabeth died in 1918.  The following year, James married Edith Barnhart (my great aunt).  They would have five children, daughters Anna, Mary, Grace and Helen and son Clifford.  Grace died at the end of 1929.  In early 1930, Edith died after giving birth to Clifford (he died in 1933).  James married for the third time in 1947 to Catherine Cameron Kelsey.  He died in 1972 at the age of 87.

Ninety-seven years ago today, on October 2, 1916, a milk strike led to the Bovina Center Co-Operative Creamery receiving milk from 37 farms, in addition to their regular patrons. These farms were located in South Kortright and Bloomville, as well as above Delhi, on the Little Delaware and at Glenburnie.  The Andes Recorder reported that these farms would continue to send their milk to Bovina “until the question of milk prices is settled.”

Aggie Jeanette Armstrong died 138 years ago today on October 3, 1875.  She was only two months old.  She was the daughter of Frank Armstrong and Jeanette Burns.  She was the second daughter named Agnes that they had lost.  In August 1872, three day old daughter, Aggie Bell Armstrong, died. 

The Andes Recorder from 112 years ago today, October 4, 1901, reported that “The uptown creamery is now running full blast and is making 5 ¾ pounds of butter from each can of milk.”

119 years ago today, October 5, 1894, a base ball game was played at Indian Rocks.  Given that it was the Sabbath, it caused some controversy.  The Andes Recorder, when reporting this game, stated that “how the game succeeded we do not know, but such actions as this should be stopped immediately.”

James, son of Alex. Bryden near Lake Delaware, died in Fall Clove 114 years ago today, October 6, 1899, of spinal meningitis.  As later reported in the Andes Recorder: “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 [Bovina cemetery].” He was 21 years old. 

Ninety three years ago, on October 7, 1920, the Bovina Town Supervisor and Highway Superintendent requested that a proposition be placed on the November ballot to appropriate money for a “Steam Road Roller.”  The proposition was placed on the ballot, but the Andes Recorder later reported that on election day "Bovina taxpayers voted down a proposition to appropriate the sum of $4,680 for the purchase of a steam roller for use on the road.  The vote was a tie – 64 to 64." The appropriation was approved the following March at a special town meeting. 

117 years ago this morning, October 8, 1896, Mt. Pisga was white with snow, the first of the season. This was followed by a heavy frost that evening.

110 years ago today, October 9, 1903, the Catskill Mountain News reported in its Bovina column that “Hamilton Russell of Bovina is building a fine two-story house, 22 x 44 feet, with piazza in front, and equipped with all the modern improvements.  John Tweedie is the mason and James Scott of New Kingston is the carpenter.”  This house was on Mountain Brook Road.

106 years ago today on October 10, 1907, the first load of freight shipped to Bovina via the new station on the Delaware and Eastern at Andes was brought to town by Milton Hastings.  Previously, items shipped by railroad had to be picked up in Delhi.

118 years ago today, the October 11, 1895 Andes Recorder in the Bovina column had the following item:  “A letter recently came to this point office addressed to, Miss Maggie, Bovina Centre, N.Y.  This shows one of the many thousands of examples of carelessness that floods the Dead Letter Office every year.”

Miss Nellie Myers died 113 years ago today, October 12, 1900.  She was only 20.  As later reported in the Andes Recorder, “[s]he had been ill for several months, suffering with gatherings in the head.”  Gatherings in the head appear to be a term for sinus issues.  Nellie was the daughter of Alex Myers, house painter and his wife Isabella, who later was known as the town’s telephone operator.  Earlier in the year, Nellie had been hired to work at Jeremy Barnhart’s on Pink Street in March of 1900 and still was living at Barnhart’s when the 1900 census was taken in June. 

120 years ago today, on October 13, 1893, James Coulter headed out for the Chicago World’s Fair.  In reporting this, the Andes Recorder noted that “others talk of going.  We say go, you will never regret it.”

102 years ago today, October 14, 1911, “The lady friends of Miss Jennie Miller made her a welcome home party .... All rejoiced that she is now able to see. Miss Miller was also presented with sum of money.” Jennie had cataract surgery on September 29 in New York City.  This Jennie Miller likely was the daughter of David Miller and his second wife, Isabella Turnbull. She was the great aunt of Fletcher Davidson. Born in 1841, she died in 1925. This photo, courtesy of David F. Hoy, is believed to be Jennie.

Rev. Joshua Kennedy died 122 years ago today on October 15, 1891.  He had been pastor of the Bovina Reformed Presbyterian Church in Bovina from 1865 to 1885.  Kennedy passed away in Green Castle, Pennsylvania, the town to where he had retired after leaving Bovina.  See the Bovina NY History blog entry for March 18 (http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2013/03/kennedy-vs-lee-part-i-libel-of-slander.html) and for March 24 (http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2013/03/kennedy-vs-lee-part-ii-bed-was-badly.html) for more information about Rev. Kennedy and his ‘dust-up’ with Rev. James B. Lee. 

117 years ago, on October 16, 1896, as later reported in the Andes Recorder: “A rousing Republican meeting was held ….  Rev. W. L.C. Samson was chosen president, and a number of vice presidents also had places on the stage.  After an eloquent address the president introduced Professor T.H. Roberts of Brooklyn, who gave one of the best addresses ever delivered in Bovina, and in such a manner that every one who had any brains could see what the effect of free and unlimited coinage of silver would be to this country.  He showed that if all the silver bullion was coined no one would be able to get any more money except he had something to give in exchange for it.  Mr. Roberts is a clear and forcible speaker and fully explains the question in dispute.”

Sixty years ago today, on October 17, 1953, Lauren Monroe married Lois Hogg from Slippery Rock, Pennsylvania. Here's the entry from the Bovina Column in the October 30, 1953 Catskill Mountain News reporting on the wedding. Happy Anniversary Lauren and Lois!

152 years ago today, October 18, 1861, Christina Smith was paid 29.72 for teaching in the Coulter Brook School district between May 1 and September 30, 1861. Here’s the receipt for her payment.

John W. Bramley died 114 years ago today, October 19, 1899, of diabetes, age 81 years.  As later reported in the Andes Recorder, “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.”  He was living in the Bovina Center hamlet at his death, but spent much of his life on his farm on Bramley Mountain, which likely was located in the area of Reagan Road.

Ninety five years ago today on October 20, 1918, the first death in Bovina from the “prevailing influenza epidemic” occurred when Mrs. Loron Maxim, passed away at her home on the Hewitt farm up-town.  As later reported in the Andes Recorder, “The remains were taken to Hardenburgh, Ulster county, their former home, for interment.”  The Hewitt farm is now the home of Tom Groves on Mountain Brook Road.

A brief item from the Andes Recorder reported that 118 years ago today, October 21, 1895, “Snow Monday morning.”

October 22, 1961, fifty two years ago today, as later reported in the Delaware Republican Express, “Walter Reinertsen and his cousin Sverre Reinertsen of New York, were week-end guests at Walter’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Reinertsen.”

136 years ago today on October 23, 1877, “the Hogaboom Bros., of Bovina, started a drove of cattle, sheep and calves … through to Rondout.”

103 years ago today, on October 24, 1910, this bill was issued to the Town of Bovina for bridge decking.  This appears to be the decking for a new bridge to the Bovina Center creamery.  The bridge was completed in November 1910. 

106 years ago tonight on October 25, 1907, as very briefly reported later in the Andes Recorder, “A party was held … at Frank Coulter’s.” Frank's place was the original Coulter family farm on Coulter Brook road, just over the bridge that goes over Coulter Brook.

136 years ago today, on October 26, 1877, Andrew T. Archibald was born in Bovina.  He would marry Mabel E. Johnston in 1901 and would have seven children, including an infant who died in 1913.  His surviving children included Mary (1903-1999), George (1905-1978), Elizabeth (1906-1986), Leonard (1909-1990), Marvin (1911-1987), and Herman (1913-1983).  Andrew died in 1963 and is buried in Bovina.

70 years ago today, October 27, 1943, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, “William M. Armstrong, 73, of Bovina Center, died … at Delhi hospital where he had been a patient for one week.  Death was caused by arteriosclerosis and acute arthritis.”

104 years ago today, at 1 pm on October 28, 1909, W.J. Doig, of Bovina Center, had for sale at an auction the following items, as advertised in the Andes Recorder:  “5 cows, 2 horses, surry, rubber tired buggy, 2 buggies, 2-seated buckboard, lumber wagon, truck wagon, mowing machine, 3 set single and 1 of double light harness, heavy work harness, bobs, 2-seat pleasure sleigh, 2 cutters, buffalo and lap robes, blankets, whips, harrow, cultivator, grind stone, chains, crow-bars, sledge hammers, whiffletrees, hay rigging, straw from 95 dozen oats, 10 barrels apples, 3 piece parlor suit, stoves, bedsteads, springs writing desk, 2 bracket lamp, hall rack, hall map, etc.”  The Recorder later reported that the sale could not be completed on the 28th and was continued on election day.

Ninety six years ago today, on October 29, 1917, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, “The rain on Monday night caused the Pink Street brook to rise so much that the foot bridge on Main street was swept down against the arch bridge and about totally wrecked.  Harry Robinson’s family were taken out of their house at 4 o’clock in the morning in a lumber wagon.  Wood was carried away and several hens were washed out of Gideon Miller’s hen house.”

104 years ago in the early morning, on October 30, 1909, Chas McPherson and his wife were instrumental in saving A.T. Doig’s store, later Russell’s, from going up in flames.  As reported in the Andes Recorder, the couple discovered the fire while coming home from a party.  “The fire was on the stoop at the lower side of store and fortunately was discovered before it had gained much headway and was put out before only slight damage was done.  It is supposed that the fire started from a spittoon that had been set out on the stoop the night before and there had probably been fire in it.”

Eighty five years ago on October 31, 1928, Mrs. Leon VanDusen held a Hallowe’en party Wednesday for the pupils of the primary room of the village school.

This Day in Bovina for September

I'm bringing you up to date on the daily entries on Bovina History I have been doing on the Facebook Bovina History group since June. I've been asked to share these on this blog.  I will start doing these monthly in November.    

Ninety five years ago today, on September 1, 1918, as later reported in the Delaware Republican, "a number of patriotic citizens of this place observed the first gasless Sunday by driving their horses to church instead of their automobiles." The paper also noted that "few pleasure cars passed through" town and that "most car owners tried to be patriotic and avoided the unnecessary pleasure trip on that day." The first World War still was raging and though there was no official gas rationing, efforts like this were ways people could "do their part."

Eighty six years ago today, the Andes Recorder for September 2, 1927 reported that Agnes Burns, the daughter of John Burns, recently had her tonsils removed.

Eighty six years ago today, on September 3, 1927, Bovina had a successful clam bake "despite the downpour of rain." About 1000 people attended the event. As later reported in the Andes Recorder, "...tables had been set in the Miller orchard below the church and wires strung for electric lights but there was no let up in the rain and the tables had to be moved to the basement of the church and the crowd fed there, except for a few who were fed under a tent." The Miller orchard is the yard behind what is now Amy Burns and Tom Lamport's home across from Russell's Store and next to the UP Church.

113 years ago today, on September 4, 1900, Fred Bramley, of Bovina, and Lucy Jackson, of Andes, were married at Delhi. The Andes Recorder noted that the "marriage occurred just ten months to the day after the death of his first wife." His first wife, Margaret, died in November 1899. They had been married for seven years and had two children, both who died young. His marriage to Lucy lasted 14 years until her death in 1914. They would have five children. Fred would marry a third time, but waited nine years before marrying Christina Close in 1923. He would be widowed a third time when she died in 1943. He died the following year.

170 years ago today, September 5, 1842, Bovina resident Henry Luddington was drowned in the Delaware River near Delhi at the age of 59.  He is buried in the Brush Cemetery in the Bovina Center hamlet.

On September 6, 1854, 159 years ago today, William Augustus Bramley, the five year old son of William and Angeline (Burdick) Bramley died.  He was buried in the Bovina Cemetery.

111 years ago today, on September 7, 1902, Alex Burns, a native of Bovina, died at Hill City, Kansas, after an illness of three days.  He was 78.  His body was brought back to South Kortright for burial.  This is not the Alex Burns who lived on what is now the Goggins place on Crescent Valley Road.  How he is related to the rest of the Burns family is not clear.

Eighty nine years ago today, September 8, 1924, Hillis’s garage in Bovina submitted this bill for $10.45 to the Town of Bovina for a tire and tube.  This garage later became Thomas’s garage and is now owned by Tom Hetterich.

102 years ago today, on September 9, 1901, as later reported in the Delaware Republican, “Berry S. Miller, of Bovina Center, and son T[homas] W., editor of the Andes Recorder, with G[ilbert]D. Miller and wife of Bovina, left this station Monday evening to attend the National G.A.R. Encampment which has been in session in Cleveland this week.”  The G.A.R. was the Grand Army of the Republic, the Civil War veterans association.

124 years ago today on September 10, 1889, Jennie Cairns, daughter of James and Annie (Pierce) Cairns, was born.  She would later marry William Elliott.  Jennie passed away in April 1967 and is buried in the Bovina Cemetery.

Roxanna A. Hobbie, the three year old daughter of Joshua Knapp Hobbie and his wife Sarah, died 178 years today on September 11, 1835.  She is buried in the Bovina Cemetery.

Eighty-eight years ago today, on September 12, 1925, a heavy rain storm, accompanied by a high wind, passed over Bovina in the evening.  A number of trees were blown down.

Eighty five years ago today, the September 13, 1928 Stamford Mirror reported that “a brother and sister of Misses Kate and Freda Muller, who have been west for a number of years are visiting at the Muller House.”  The Andes Recorder provided a bit more information; “Werner Muller of DesMoines, Iowa, and his sister, Mrs. Emma Roper, of Hayes, Kansas, are in visiting their sisters, Misses Kate and Freda Muller.See this Bovina NY History blog entry for more information on the Muellers:  http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2013/01/stories-from-bovina-cemeteries-muller.html

Ninety two years ago today, September 14, 1921, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, “The body of James D. Calhoun, who was killed in France during the world war, arrived here this week and burial was made Wednesday in Bovina Center cemetery.  Members of Calhoun post of Andes, acted as bearers.”  Calhoun died in October 1918.  He left a widow, Anna Bell Barnhart Calhoun.  In 1923, Anna Bell would marry my grandfather, Benson LaFever.

On September 15, 1858, 155 years ago today, Rhoda Davis died in Andes.  As reported in the Bloomville Mirror on September 21, Mrs. Davis was the widow of Samuel.  She was 88 years old at the time of her death.  The paper went on to report that “She was one among first settlers in Bovina.  Her exemplary life endeared her to all who had the pleasure of her acquaintance.”

Ninety four years ago today, on September 16, 1919, the new can washer installed at the Dry Milk plant had a malfunction when "seven cans got stuck in the washer and some difficulty was experienced in getting them out."

John T. Clement died 100 years ago today, September 17, 1913.  Born in 1836, he was the son of William Clement and his wife Margaret Thomson.   He was married to Margaret E. Liddle.

108 years ago today, on September 18, 1905, Eugene Porter, Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health wrote to Thomas Gordon, Secretary of the Bovina Board of Health, concerning a change in Bovina’s health officer.  This is the letter. 1905-09-18 Letter re resignation of health officer.

112 years ago today, on September 19, 1901, a memorial services was held at the Bovina United Presbyterian church for recently assassinated U.S. President William McKinley.  As later reported in the Andes Recorder, the service was presided over by the church’s pastor, Rev. Samson.  “Charles Arbuckle read the scripture lesson; Margaret Swart read the President’s proclamation, and addresses were made by Rev. Slater, R.E. Bergman and Rev. Samson.”

Paul Furhmann arrived in Bovina ninety two years ago today, September 20, 1921.  He had recently purchased the farm of W.G. McDivitt  on Coulter Brook Road.  The house was on a side road off Coulter Brook not far from Seedorf Road.  The house was destroyed in a fire in the 1960s. 

Fifty nine years ago today, on September 21, 1954, Celia Coulter left Bovina for Albany to start attending the State college.  (And my sister Diane celebrated her first birthday that same day).

Ninety seven years ago today, September 22, 1916, the J.W. Coulter Hose Company had a ball game, a Chicken Pie supper and an entertainment in the evening to raise funds.

102 years ago today, on September 23, 1911, Mrs. Alex Hilson stepped on a nail and received a wound behind her big toe.

147 years ago today, on September 24, 1866, Elizabeth Richardson was born, the daughter of William and Isabella (Sloan) Richardson.  Elizabeth would later marry John Irvine and was the mother of Isabell Russell and her four brothers, Lloyd, William, Lester and Clifton.  Elizabeth died in July 1940.

Mark Gerowe, the Bloomville beekeeper, was in Bovina 113 years ago today, September 25, 1900. 

Eliza Atikin, the 31 year old wife of David Atkin, died 169 years ago today on September 26, 1844.  She is buried in the Old Reformed Presbyterian Church cemetery. 

G.D. Miller was showing off a good sized cluster of black raspberries of unusual size ninety-four years ago today, on September 27, 1919.

The girls got the upper hand over the boys in a ball game played in Bovina 118 years ago today on September 28, 1895.  The girls won by a score of 32 to 27.

102 years ago today, September 29, 1911, the Andes Recorder reported successful eye surgery for Miss Jennie E. Miller of Bovina Center, “who has for some time been blind from cataracts growing on both eyes…”  The paper reported that she had the operation in New York city for the removal of the cataract on one eye.  “The operation was successful and she can now see.”

This morning was foggy, but 118 years ago today, on September 30, 1895, people around Bovina woke up to snow covering Bramley mountain and Mount Pisgah.