Saturday, October 31, 2015

This Day in Bovina for October

Fifty one years ago today, The October 1, 1964 issue of the Delaware Republican Express published a report about the local 4-H club, the Bovina Busy Boys. 

112 years ago, the October 2, 1903 Otsego Farmer (Cooperstown) had the following report: "Prosperous Delaware county creameries are those of the co-operative companies at Bovina Centre and Bovina. The one at Bovina Centre receives 17,500 pounds milk daily. Average test, 5.2. The patrons receive the skim milk back free if desired. Twenty-four and one-half cents was paid for butter fat for the month of August. At the Bovina co-operative creamery, 70 cans of milk are taken in each day, the average test is 5.2, and the price paid for butter was 22 cents a pound. Patrons are allowed both skim milk and buttermilk back free. The butter is put in one-pound prints for the Philadelphia market." The Bovina Center creamery is the one in the hamlet and has been sold to the Finns with plans to start producing cheese there. The Bovina creamery was on Bovina road and closed sometime in the 1920s. The building has been gone for some time.

151 years ago today, on October 3, 1864, as later reported in the Delaware Gazette, "A McClellan Club was formed in Bovina…and the following gentlemen elected as officers: F.McFarland, President; James McFarland, Michael Dickson, Vice-Presidents; E.A. Boggs, Secretary; R.F. Scott, Treasurer." McClellan clubs were formed to support the candidacy of General McClellan in the 1864 presidential election.

133 years ago today, on October 4, 1882, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Delaware Gazette, "a shameful - yes, disgraceful affair took place in town on Wednesday night. Two parties began the small business of running horses, kept it up until they reached the village, where it ended in a smashup, turnover and runaway. Two outside parties might have been killed, but fortunately escaped with knocks and bruises; children endangered; Prof. given a lively run to escape, and the doctor's fence badly demolished. Such a history should be a lesson to such young men."

191 years ago today, on October 5, 1824, Thomas Landon posted the following ad in the Delaware Gazette: "Merino Bucks for Sale. The subscriber has for sale at the Fish Lake [Lake Delaware], a number of full bred MERINO BUCKS, of pure blood as imported from Spain. Those who wish to purchase, must apply previous to the first of November, as on that day such as are unsold, will be removed to the eastward."

Ninety years ago today, on October 6, 1925, Frank Coulter Armstrong died at the age of 87. Born in Bovina, he was the son of John C. Armstrong and Isabella Coulter. He was married and widowed three times. He married Jennette Burns in 1863, with whom he had five children, three of whom had predeceased him. Jennette died in 1885. He was married Mary Brown in 1888 - she died in 1911. The following year, Frank married Mary Neish. She died a year before his death in 1924.

131 years ago today, the Bovina column of the October 7, 1884 Stamford Mirror reported "A grand banquet was held at the residence of A. Liddle one fine evening recently. Waterville was well represented and tripped the light fantastic until the wee sma hours had rolled around." Waterville was a briefly used term for the Butt End of Bovina.

107 years ago today, an ad appeared in the October 8, 1908 Catskill Mountain News: "For sale - The hotel at Bovina Centre with 4 1/2 acres of flat land adjoining. Only hotel in town. Possession given Nov. 1, 1909. J.L. Dickson, Bovina Center." This hotel was located where the Jim and Peg Hilson and Mark Schneider and Julie Hilson houses are located.

130 years ago today, on October 9, 1885, the "baseball clubs of Hamden and Bovina" were due to play the "last game for the best two in three on the fair grounds" in Delhi. The Delaware Gazette reported that "they have played two games…that at Hamden was won by the Hamden club, and the one at Lake Delaware by the Bovina club." The paper concluded "as they are quite evenly matched the game will be watched with interest." I have not been able to find any reports of how that last game came out.

Seventy-five years ago, the Bovina column of the October 10, 1940 Delaware Republican reported that "Mrs. Robert Boggs and son Bobbie are visiting her parents at Turnwood, N.Y. for a week."

150 years ago today, on October 11, 1865, a team from Delhi and Bovina played against a Hamden and Walton team at a game of Quoits in Hamden. It appears the Delhi and Bovina team prevailed. Here's the scoring from the Delaware Gazette:
(and here's the wikipedia entry about Quoits - it was a kind of ring toss game with many variations: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quoits.)

195 years ago today, on October 12, 1820, this bill was submitted for the surveying of the town of Bovina. The total was was $67, though it appears that there is a math error, since the total written looks like $77. The bill includes $2.25 for rum for the surveyors.


Fifty one years ago today, on October 13, 1964, as later reported in the Delaware Republican Express, "…Mrs. John Hilson was honored at a luncheon at the home of Mrs. William Storie by the King's Daughters' S.S. Class of the Bovina United Presbyterian Church. She has retired as a teacher after many years of faithful service…In the afternoon letters from absent friends were read, games were played and much time spent in reminiscing."

152 years ago today, the October 14, 1863 Delaware Gazette reported on the premiums won at the county fair and awarded by the Delaware County Agricultural Society. Miss Minnie Graham of Bovina won $1.00 for "1 crayon sketch, 1 water color sketch, 1 oil painting."

148 years ago today, on October 15, 1866, Jane Archibald Boggs, wife of Thomas R. Boggs, gave birth to a daughter, Margaret E. Boggs. Margaret would marry Thomas J. Ormiston  on Christmas Day, 1890 and would have seven children, including two sets of twins.  Her daughter Ruth Ormiston married Henry Monroe on her parents 30th wedding anniversary and daughter Lois would marry Fletcher Davidson. Margaret was widowed in 1919 and would die in 1966, less than three months shy of her 100th birthday. Her grandchildren include Frances Monroe Burns and Ed Davidson, who both are 91 and still going strong. Must be those Ormiston genes. Here’s a four generation photo showing Lois Ormiston Davidson, Margaret Boggs Ormiston, Jane Archibald Boggs and Lois’s infant daughter Jane.

165 years ago today, on October 16, 1850, Bovina farmer John Laughran was nominated for the State Assembly as a Democrat. As later reported in the Delaware Gazette, he "was nominated against his wishes, but has consented to accept the nomination…." The paper went on to report that "he is a farmer of Bovina, possessed of good talents and a business man of the right stamp; just such a man as we need in the Legislature - fearless, upright and high minded…" In another item in the same issue, a letter from a democrat in Roxbury noted that "The nomination of Mr. Laughran, for Assembly, meets the warm approval of almost every Anti-Renter…He will carry this town by a large vote." Laughran ultimately lost the election, though the November 13, 1850 Delaware Gazette noted that Laughran "made a gallant run and well nigh upset his competitor. He may well feel proud of his vote."

172 years ago today, on October 17, 1843, a meeting of the commissioners of excise was held in Bovina. At this meeting, two tavern licenses were issued, one to John Seacord and John Reid. Here's the resolution issuing the licenses: 1843-10-17 Commissioner of excise meeting

128 years ago today, on October 18, 1887, Michael Miller received this bill as Bovina highway commissioner from T.E. Hastings for 300 feet of planking. The same day he received another bill from D.L. Thomson for another 240 feet of planking.


111 years ago today, on October 19, 1904, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, "Miss May Belle Logan and David G. Currie were united in marriage at the bride's home in Bovina Center, Wednesday evening at 8 o'clock. They are very estimable young people." David and May Belle would be married until May Belle's death in 1953. David died in 1958. Both are buried in the Bovina cemetery. Mrs. Currie's wedding dress is at the Bovina Museum.

163 years ago today, the October 20, 1852 issue of the Delaware Gazette reported in its list of premiums awarded by the Delaware County Agricultural Society at its Annual Fair that "Miss M. Laidlaw, Bovina" won a $2.00 premium for "worsted bureau cover, crotchet mats, worsted footstool cover, etc."

196 years ago today, on October 21, 1819, Mary Jane Dean was born, the daughter of James Dean and Jane McFarland. She was 69 at her death in 1889. She is buried in Bovina.

170 years ago today, on October 22, 1840, the Democratic Whigs of the Town of Bovina met at the home of P.G. Vanderberg. "Hon. James Cowan being called upon to address the meeting. [H]e prefered reading to the meeting the speech of W.H. Harrison delivered at the great meeting of the Whig at Chilicotha, Ohio." A committee of five was "appointed to draft resolutions expressing the sense of this meeting." The committee comprised A. Cowan, John Erkson, Jr., James Rich, Jr, Walter Coulter and A. Storie. Harrison was elected President of the United States the following month, only to die one month into his administration.

110 years ago today, on the evening of October 23, 1905, the Montauk Ladies Quartette gave a concert at the Bovina Methodist Church. The concert was part of a concert/lecture series held by the church.
Image of the Montauk Ladies Quartette from University of Iowa. Libraries. Special Collections Dept., Redpath Chautauqua Collection.
127 years ago today, the October 24, 1888 issue of the Delaware Gazette reported the following sad story: "William A. Amos, of Bovina, and Mrs. Matilda Gibbs, of Harpersfield were married October 3. She was soon taken ill with typhoid fever and died Oct. 10, aged 24."

160 years ago today, on October 25, 1855, as later reported in the Delaware Gazette, "Thomas Secord, of Bovina, crossed the Ferry from New York to Jersey City, intending to take the cars on his way home…..and in stepping from the boat his foot slipped and was caught between the boat and dock, crushing the leg from the knee downwards, in a shocking manner. He was taken to the New York Hospital, where, we are informed, he is doing well, with a prospect that the limb may be saved." Unfortunately, Thomas died on October 31st from his injuries.

105 years ago today, the October 26, 1910 issue of the Delaware Gazette reported that "Wm. H. Maynard of Bovina has purchased a gasoline engine and a dynamo and will install electric lights in his residence and other buildings."

129 years ago today, the October 27, 1886 issue of the Delaware Gazette printed the following letter from Bovina Center dated October 23, 1886: "Editors Gazette: - Can you explain why D.L. Thomson, the great temperance Republican, when challenged for a joint debate by the Prohibition candidate, has not a word to say? Yours for the right, Anti-Saloonist."

117 years ago today, on October 28, 1898, Allison Crosier died at the age of 90. Not much is known about her. She was born in Scotland and lived with the Andrew Chisholm family for many years, listed on various census records as the housekeeper. Andrew had been married to Annie Crosier, who died in 1843, so it's likely that Allison was a relative of Andrew's wife. She appears to have lived with the family until her death.

Ninety five years ago, the October 29, 1920 Bovina column in the Andes Recorder reported that "Voters in Bovina next Tuesday will receive four ballots - presidential, the state ticket, amendments and a town proposition."

Eighty-eight years ago today, on October 30, 1927, Charles Loughran Dickson died in Binghamton. Born in Bovina in 1887, he was the son of Dr. Gilbert Dickson and Jane Loughran Dickson. He went to law school and became an attorney in Binghamton. Here is his obituary from the November 4, 1927 Catskill Mountain News:

119 years ago today, on October 31, 1896, James A. Gow tendered this resignation as Justice of the Peace for the Town of Bovina.

Friday, October 23, 2015

Quick Reminder - Bovina Cemetery Tour

Twilight Tour of the Bovina Cemetery will be held on Saturday, October 24, 2015 at 4 pm, conducted by Bovina Town Historian Ray LaFever. Admission for this tour is $5 for adults, children under 12 free (children must be accompanied by an adult).  All proceeds to benefit the Bovina Historical Society and its efforts to preserve Russell’s Store. The cemetery is on Coulter Brook Road and is the main cemetery in Bovina. The tour will run about an hour and a half. Wear comfortable shoes for walking. 

Bovina’s cemeteries are full of interesting stories. Like the story of Frederick McFarland. His gravestone says that he “died on or about” February 21, 1889. Ray will explain the story behind that “on or about.” Five members of the Cathels family died in 10 days in 1865. There certainly is some drama behind that tragedy, including a fact not discernable from just looking at the graves. Then there’s the story of Mrs. Christopher S. Gladstone and Mrs. Fred Thomson, who had their tonsils removed on the same day in the home of the latter. That’s not all they had in common - Ray will explain.  The tour will include these graves and others, including some of Bovina’s Civil War and World War One soldiers and the owners of what is now Russell’s Store, including the graves of Cecil, Isabell and Marjorie Russell. 

Thursday, October 15, 2015

October 1915 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

From the Andes Recorder
The new Bovina Firehouse was nearing completion and A.T. Doig, who owned what is now Russell's Store, made a trip to New York City in his new eight-cylinder Cadillac. Two Bovina natives passed away in October 1915.

October 1, 1915 
•Harry Robson and wife are now located in the house near the bridge.
•Fletcher Davidson has gone to Washington, D.C. to attend an electric school.
•Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Storie arrived home from their wedding trip Saturday evening.
•Robert R. Gladstone, of Andes, moved into rooms in Miss Jennie Miller’s house this week.
•William J. Archibald, John McCune and Chas A. Lee have each purchased a new Ford motor car.
•Miss Angelica L. Gerry, who has been spending the summer at Lake Delaware, has gone to Newport.

October 8, 1915 
•Dr. Whitcomb’s horse “Billy” died in the pasture this week.
•Clifford, son of Dr. G.T. Scott has entered medical college.
•The Methodist church will hold a social at John Nichol’s on Friday evening.
•The V.I.S. will hold a social in the Town Hall on Thursday evening to help pay for lighting the streets.
•Mrs. John Dennis, of Bin Hall, Virginia, has been with Miss Louise Dennis. Miss Dennis expects to go south and spend the winter with her brother.
•Mr. Meneker, who purchased the Hewitt farm in the upper part of the town two or three years ago, has given up the farm and has rented the James Gow house in the Center.
•John M. Miller and wife, J.T. Barnhart and wife, Miss Belle Miller and John McCune and wife attended the funeral of their cousin, Mrs. E.C. Dean, at Delhi on Tuesday.
•A.T. Doig and wife are in New York city this week.  They made the trip in his new eight-cylinder Cadallac (sic) car. James W. Thomson and wife accompanied them and will visit his son on Staten Island and dauter at Peekskill.

Death of Mrs. E.C.Dean.  
     Mrs. E.C. Dean died at her home in Delhi village early Saturday morning, October 2, after an illness of considerable duration. She was a daughter of John Bramley and Margaret McCune of Bovina, and was born in that town 52 years ago. She leaves a husband and one daughter and two brothers, Wm. H. Bramley, of Delhi, and Fred Bramley, of Bovina. The funeral was held Tuesday with burial in Woodland Cemetery.  

October 15, 1915
•James Cole, on the Gill farm at Lake Tunis, has purchased a new Ford car.
•Thos C. Strangeway is having his barn repainted – red with white trimmings.
•The new fire house is nearly completed. A concrete sidewalk has been put in along the front.
•E.W. Simmons, of Bloomville, recently delivered a ten horse power Lauson Frost King gasoline engineer to Commodore E.T. Gerry at Lake Delaware.

October 22, 1915
•The registered voters in Bovina this year number 263.
•James Robson, on the Luddington farm, has had his house re-shingled.
•The first number of the entertainment course was given last Thursday evening by the Suwanee River Quartet to a large audience.
•Ellsworth Tuttle is building a new barn in Tuttle Hollow. Harvey VanSteenburg, of Andes, commenced work on it this week.
•It is reported that F.C. Armstrong has sold his farm, which for a number of years has been occupied by Frank Brown, to his son-in-law Ted Fuller.

Died in the Hospital
James D. Boyd, of Bovina, Succumbs to Operation October 14
      James D. Boyd, of Bovina, died in the Post Graduate hospital New York city, October 14. Mr. Boyd, who had been in poor health for two or three years, went to the hospital early in September and submitted to an operation for stricture at the mouth of the bladder. The operation was apparently successful, but he did not gain in strength. He was born in Bovina Center 63 years ago, but most of his life had been spent on the farm at the head of Coulter Brook. He leaves a wife, who was Etta Seath, and two dauters and one son. The funeral was held on Saturday with interment in the Center cemetery. 

October 29, 1915
•John W. McCune and two assistants are doing grading in Delhi for James K. Penfield.
•There was a large crowd at the J.F. Brown sale last Thursday. Cows sold for an average of over $42 per head.

Wednesday, October 7, 2015

Notice to Church Builders

155 years ago this month, a building committee of the Bovina Reformed Presbyeterian Church posted this ad looking for proposals for the construction of a new church building. The congregation had been using their stone church in the Mountain Brook area of Bovina since it's construction in the 1820s, but decided they needed a new structure. They posted the following notice in the Delaware Gazette (and maybe in a couple of other area newspapers)

Here's the text of this notice:

The undersigned, a building committee appointed by the Reformed Presbyterian Congregation of Bovina, will meet at the house of Mrs. D. Hamilton in said town, on the 13th day of October, inst., at 11 o’clock A.M. for the purpose of receiving and determining upon the various offers that may be presented to erect a Church for said congregation at Brushland. Sealed proposals will be received till 1 o’clock, P.M., of that day. The committee will be left free to select – they will pay special attention (but will not be bound) to the lowest bid. The building will be 34 by 50 feet; there will be no steeple; three windows at each side and two at front end; posts to be 21 feet between shoulders; gallery in front, only; to be finished by the 1st of September next. Plans, together with all the material part of the specifications, can be seen at the store of Mr. Robert Sloan, in Brushland. The committee will require security for the faithful performance of the contract.
Thoms. Arbuckle
Joseph Alexander
David B. Russell,
Andrew Thompson,
James G. Russell,
Committee

Dated Bovina October 1st, 1860.

I have yet to find whether or not the building was done by September 1861 but the building that was constructed is believed to date from around that time. This is a picture of the church, which stood about where the Fire Department is located, until its demolition in 1943.