This Day in Bovina for January 2017

Here are the Facebook entries for This Day in Bovina for January.

176 years ago today, on January 1, 1841, the Trustees of Bovina school district number 3 (the Mountain Brook area) provided this document showing the books in the school's library. Books included Scott's History of Scotland, Lives of Early Navigators, American Husbandry, and Russells History of Palestine." The document was submitted by trustees James M. Hastings and John Miller.

128 years ago today, on January 2, 1889, Maggie J. Hoy was married to Douglas Davidson. Here is the invitation to their wedding received by Mr. and Mrs. Alex Hilson. [Bovina records\Hilson Family] This was the second time a daughter of J.R. Hoy married Douglass. His first wife was Maggie's sister Mary, who died in childbirth in 1883.

Thirty-seven years ago today, on January 3, 1980, Bovina Supervisor Charlie LaFever signed this oath of office for his second term as Bovina Town Supervisor.

Seventy-seven years ago today, the January 4, 1940 Delaware Republican reported in its Bovina Centre column that "The schools opened for the new year and both teachers and pupils are at work again."

131 years ago today, the Bovina column in the January 5, 1886 Stamford Mirror reported that "David F. Hoy has gone to Harpersfield to teach school in the Middlebrook district." The same column also reported that "Parties are of almost nightly occurrence at present.

Sixty-seven years ago today, the January 6, 1950 Catskill Mountain News reported in its Bovina column that "Charles McIntosh lost a valuable heifer the latter part of December with what has been proved by the state as rabies."

102 years ago today, on January 7, 1915, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Mr. and Mrs. Hamilton Russell celebrated the thirtieth anniversary of their marriage at their home in upper Bovina … by a gathering of their neighbors and friends." Mr. and Mrs. Russell were the parents of several sons, including Cecil Russell.

195 years ago today, on January 8, 1822, Walter Crozier posted the following notice for publication in the Delaware Gazette: "Whereas, a report is in circulation in this part of the county, stating that sometime in January last, Adam Kedzie, jun. late of Bovina, deceased, revealed to me in an audible voice, that he, the said Adam Kedzie, had paid his brother William Kedzie Five Hundred Dollars for which he had taken on receipt, and which had never been accounted for; and had enjoined it on me to make it known to the world. I do hereby declare to the world, that the report as above stated, is false." It appears the Adam Kedzie involved died in 1820.

134 years ago today, the January 9, 1883 issue of the Stamford Mirror reported that "In Bovina, not a drop of liquor has been sold for years. She has only one pauper in the poor house, and for many years had none."

121 years ago today, the January 10, 1896 Andes Recorder in its Bovina Column had the following commentary:  "Your correspondent thinks if parents would keep their children in off the street and out of the stores a little more there would be less fault to find about children being mean and saucy.  They are allowed to go where they please from morning until late at night and no one knows what mischief they are into."

Seventy-seven years ago today, the January 11, 1940 Delaware Republican in the Bovina Centre column that "W.A. Hoy has not been enjoying the best of health for a while back and has gone to Goshen to take treatments." Hoy was born in Bovina in 1866. Whatever the treatments were did not work for he died January 19.

Ninety years ago today, on January 12, 1927, Chauncey McFarland, while driving a load of coal and feed home from Delhi veered off the highway and demolished the steps to the home of Officer S.P. Swanson. McFarland was pulled over and "after unseating the driver….it was deemed wise, in the interest of 'safety first,' to transfer him to the care of Sheriff A. L. Austin." He was fined and threatened with a prison sentence if he was intoxicated again in the next year. Here's the full article from the January 15, 1927 Delaware Republican.

137 years ago today, the January 13, 1880 Stamford Mirror reported in its Bovina column that "We have been informed that Mr. Black, our Supervisor, kept 2 1/2 percent of the school funds for his trouble paying over the same. Black is more for self than for the schools."

127 years ago today, the Bovina column of the January 14, 1890 Stamford Mirror reported that "Polly Wooden fell out of bed one morning recently and received quite serious injuries." The same column also reported that “E.C. Dean has the grippe." The further status of Polly is unknown but Dean survived the grippe and lived until 1926.

126 years ago today, the Bovina column in the Stamford Mirror dated January 15, 1891, reported that Frank Gowanlock has returned from Virginia, where he has been doing mason work for several months past."

Fifty-one years ago today, the January 16, 1966 Delaware Republican Express reported the following: "Mrs. Howard LaFever, chairman of the March of Dimes drive in the Bovina -Lake Delaware area, announces the following list of canvassers, who will be calling at your home sometime during the month of January: Eleanor Damgaard, Mary Bathen, Harold Lounsbury, Henry Menke, Irene Beers, Carl Schneider, Thelma Hadley, Helen Burns, Robert Barnhart, Thelma Barlow, Laura Fisk, Cecilia Morrison, Lois Davidson, Milton Graham, Louise Chase, Leona LaFever, Lillian Hilson, George Archibald, Margaret Hoy, Joan LaFever, Joyce Eaton and Gladys Lay.

195 years ago today, on January 17, 1822, "a true canvass and estimate of the votes" cast on January 3, 1822 for the "amended constitution of this state" was issued. The vote was 33 for and 37 against.  The amended constitution was accepted statewide.

Sixty-six years ago today, the January 18, 1951 Delaware Republican Express reported in its Bovina column that "Jackie Burns has been in the Margaretville Hospital for a few days with an infection of the nose and throat." The same column also reported that "Jack Damgaard is driving a new Dodge truck."

Eighty-eight years ago today, on January 19, 1929, the Bovina column of the Walton Reporter noted that "Among the new cases of measles are Mrs. Floyd Lewis, Bill Gergman, Louise Hilson, Robert Burns, son of W.C. Burns, and Mary Burns, daughter of John Burns."

Sixty-seven years ago today, the Bovina column in the January 20, 1950 Catskill Mountain News reported that "Will Storie has a new Plymouth and Will Burns has a new Jeep. It is our advice to these fellows to stay on their own side of the street."

107 years ago today, on January 21, 1910, Thomas Johnson resigned as Justice of the Peace and filed his resignation with Town Clerk Thomas Gordon.

119 years ago today, on January 22, 1898, the voters of the Prohibition party met at the home of Thomas Miller and nominated this slate of candidates for town office.

187 years ago today, on January 23, 1830, George Nesbitt was paid $12.25 for services as town clerk performed in 1829.

135 years ago today, two Bovina related items appeared in the January 24, 1882 Stamford Mirror. The first item reported that "The Mortgage sale advertised to take place at James H. Dean's, to day, was a failure, owing to a satisfaction of the Mortgage." The second item reported that "Prof. Spencer intends to meet with the young people of Bovina on Tuesday evening, Jan. 24th, at Brushland and make an effort to organize a Musical Convention."

169 years ago today, on January 25, 1848, the Commissioners of Excise for the town of Bovina issued this license to "Alexander Kinmouth to retail Strong and Spirituous Liquors…" His tavern was located at the former Clark Lay residence in Bovina Center.

116 years ago today, on January 26, 1901, the Bovina Board of Health adopted a resolution quarantining the entire "herd of cows on the farm of T. Ormiston…" because of the prevalence of tuberculosis.

106 years ago today, the Bovina column of the January 27, 1911 Andes Recorder reported that "James A. Gow has decided not to go to Andes as manager of the Andes Creamery Co. plant and will probably continue as manager of the co-op plant here."

Fifty-two years ago today, the Bovina column of the January 28, 1965 Delaware Republican Express reported that "Mrs. Jack Hilson's father, Malcolm Hotchkin, was taken to Cooperstown to the Bassett Hospital for further treatment last Monday. Mrs. Hilson was up to see him Friday and his condition was about the same." Malcolm passed away a little over a month later on March 13.

Ninety-four years ago today, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "The Bovina Center Co-operative Creamery company finished filling their ice house [on January 29, 1923].

123 years ago today, the January 30, 1894 Stamford Mirror reported the following story: "Mr. Schermerhorn, of Hudson, N.Y., is trying to start a writing class here. He had a large piece of canvas for an advertisement, that cost him $15, cut up by some 'galoots' on Saturday, and completely destroyed. He knows one of the party, and we have heard several express the desire that he would punish them to the full extent of the law - $25 fine and damages."

129 years ago today, on January 31, 1888, John Hilson issued this bill to the Bovina Overseer of the Poor for $3.61 for items for a needy person in the town.

His Insulting and Abusive Letter is Received

The owner/editor of the Delaware Gazette (Delhi, NY) in its January 11, 1821 issue wrote the following letter:

We inform James Miller of Bovina, that his insulting and abusive letter is received. In noticing Miller, thus publicly, our readers, no doubt, will be inquisitive to know the cause; we therefore, without hesitation, state the reason, as we believe, of his hostility to the Delaware Gazette. Some time since, we received a communication, no doubt intended to be poetical, which we did not think proper to publish - The communication was called for and delivered to a person living in Bovina, (whether this person or James Miller was the author we are unable to say,) who very politely notified us that we might expect hostility from that quarter, in the withdrawal of their names from our subscription list. Who this James Miller is we do not know nor very much care:- but brim full of "wrath and cabbage," he has, with great labor, in an epistle of some considerable length most outrageously attacked my reputation in regard to the management of the paper. We have neither time nor disposition to notice James Miller farther:- he has perfect liberty to withdraw his name, for we neither think him capable of writing, spelling or judging of a sentence correctly.

The paper noted they did not know who this James Miller was and, to be frank, neither do I. I found three James Millers that probably were living in Bovina around this time. There was James, son of William Miller and Janet Kedsie. Born in 1781, he was married to Grace Archibald and died in 1840. The second and third possibilities were a father and son both named James. James, born in 1775, was married to Isabella Armstrong. He died in 1851. Their son James was born in 1802 and was married to Agnes Coulter. He died in 1878.

If this newspaper could not figure out who this James was, we likely may never figure out either.

January 1917 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

One of the recurring themes in January 1917 in Bovina was the health of J.W. Coulter. 

January 5, 1917

·         The Bovina Center Creamery ice house is being filled.

·         Benj A. Mead received the first hunting license of the year.

·         J.W. Coulter, who has been confined to his home, is now out again.

·         David Draffen is hauling lumber for his farm residence, which he will remodel the coming summer.

·         Mr. and Mrs. Sloan Archibald recently entertained at dinner, Mr. and Mrs. Douglas Davidson, Mr. and Mrs. W.J. Storie and Miss Jennie E. Miller.

·         Some of those home for the holidays were Clifton Scott from Yale, Mabel Thomson from teaching at Winsted, Connecticut, and Harry Crosier, Mary, Caroline and Marjorie Dickson.

·         Mr. and Mrs. John W. Storie entertained at dinner on December 26, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Johnson and their son George Johnson, from Alberta, Canada; Miss Jean Hume, Mr. and Mrs. Adam Laidlow and family and William J. Storie and wife. After dinner a Christmas tree was provided for the children.

January 12, 1917

·         John Hilson has moved into his new house.

·         So far this year 25 hunting licenses have been issued this year.

·         Mrs. Robert G. Thomson underwent an operation at Oneonta last Friday and is recovering nicely.

·         All those who wish to join the singing school will meet with Rev. Graham at school house Friday evening.

·         A Farm Bureau meeting will be held at the town hall, Bovina Center, Thursday, January 18, to which all are invited.

·         Lucy Fisk, the eldest daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Earl Fisk, of Lake Delaware, was taken to the Neal hospital at Delhi Monday night and operated upon for an attack of appendicitis.

·         Tuesday at the annual meeting of the Bovina Co-Operative Creamery company A.T. Archibald, J.H. Johnson, Alex Burns, Chauncey McFarland and T.A. Archibald were elected directors.  The officers elected are: Chauncey McFarland, president; Alex Burns, vice president; A.T. Archibald, secretary and treasurer; T.A. Archibald, business manager.

Bovina Citizen Stricken by Paralysis

            J.W. Coulter was stricken with two shocks last week at his home in Bovina Center and as a result his right side is paralyzed and he is unable to speak, but his condition seems lightly improved.  He is 80 years of age.  His nephew, James L. Coulter, of New Wilmington, Penn, arrived Tuesday to assist in caring for him.

January 19, 1917

·         J.W. Coulter, who suffered a shock two weeks ago, is improving.

·         A number of the friends of the Misses Muller made them a surprise visit Tuesday evening.

·         David F. Hoy, Registrar of Cornell University, and wife have been guests of his sister, Mrs. Douglas Davidson and other relatives.

January 26, 1917

·         J.W. Coulter is not feeling so well this week.

·         Rev. Thoms Graham has been ill with the gripe.

·         The addition to the creamery ice house is being filled.

·         John A. Irvine is ill with pneumonia at this home on Coulter Brook.

Those that left us in 2016.

Bovina saw a number of current and former citizens of our town pass away in 2016, including a mother- and daughter-in law and a former school teacher who was 102.

Dot Wright was 90 at her passing in January in North Bend, Oregon. Born Dorothy Cant in England in 1925, she served in the Women’s Land Army in England during World War II. While in service, she met Claude Wright. They were married in 1947 and operated a dairy farm in Bovina for 25 years. While living in Bovina, Dot was an election inspector. She continued serving as an inspector in Jefferson, NY when Dot and Claude moved there after retiring from farming. Claude died in 1998. Dot moved to Stamford and traveled and visited her grandchildren. She celebrated her 82^nd birthday with an Alaskan cruise and was sometimes seen later on on the back of a Harley.

Edward Schneider was born in Bovina in 1914. He graduated from the Oneonta Normal School and was a teacher for a number of years in one-room schoolhouses. He was the last teacher in the Maynard School in Bovina. Ed later studied library science and worked for the Huntington Memorial Library in Oneonta, where he met his wife Mellicent. Ed was 102 when he died in August.

Ed Schneider's High School graduation photo, 1932

Mary Behrer died unexpectedly in August when she was 68. Mary worked for a number of years at the Bovina Community Post Office. Mary was survived by her husband John and five children and nine grandchildren. Mary was noted as “the neighborhood mom,” taking in people who needed help.

Gladys Evers Wickswat passed away in early October at the age of 92. She came to Bovina in the 1970s, living on Coulter Brook Road and raising her two children. She worked for many years for LaFever Excavating. Gladys was active in the Bovina Historical Society and St. James Church. She was noted for her culinary skills and her advocacy for animals.

October also saw the passing of Stanley Rome at the age of 88. His obituary noted that “his life was simple and he always made the best of his time.” He loved tinkering, four-wheeling and snowmobiling and spending time with family and friends over good food and drink.

June Reinertsen Burns lived most of her life in Bovina and was the granddaughter of Norewegian immigrants Andrew and Sophia Reinertsen. After graduating from Delaware Academy, June received her associates’ degree in dental health. June married fellow Bovina native Jack Burns in 1961. They were farmers most of their lives, but also spent time traveling and skiing and enjoying their extended family and friends. June also was active in her community. She was the first woman elected as a member of the Bovina Town Board.  June battled her illness, amyloidosis, with great courage. When she realized she was losing the battle, she planned her funeral and insisted that a party be held at the Bovina Community Hall after the service.

June Reinertsen Burns - High School portrait, October 1958, photo by Bob Wyer, courtesy DCHA

Ten days after June’s death, her mother-in-law, Agnes V. Burns died at the age of 98. Agnes grew up on the family farm on Crescent Valley Road, attending the Maynard one-room school. She married Bob Burns in 1934 and would have three children while they raised pure-bred Holstein dairy cattle. After she was widowed, she became a Licensed Practical Nurse. Agnes pursued drawing and painting, as well as sewing and knitting. Agnes lived most of her life in Bovina, but spent a year in Albany for her nursing training and lived in Tehran for nine months with her daughter and family.

Agnes Burns, 1942, photo by Bob Wyer, courtesy DCHA

Former Bovina farmer John Renner died in November at the age of 99. John grew up in New Jersey but was a farmer on Coulter Brook Road for 20 years. His wife Marie died in 1995. He was survived by five children, thirteen grandchildren and twenty-two great grandchildren.

John Renner

Another former Bovina resident died in November, Mathilde “Tillie” Rabeler at the age of 96. Mathilde Menke was born in Germany in 1920. The family moved to Brazil in 1924 and came to the United States in 1930. She spent the rest of her childhood in Bovina and married Paul Rabeler, where she and Paul ran the family dairy farm on Bovina Road. Tillie was widowed in 2000.

Tillie Menke Rabeler, photo provided by her son Steve.

November also saw the sudden death of Kokie L. Hunter-Zilla at the age of 44. Kokie was the daughter of Gerald Richard Irving Hunter and Judy Ann Renner. Her obituary noted that she “loved to laugh but mostly loved to make other people laugh…” and was noted for “pulling pranks on her loved ones….”

Margarita Del Lourdes Fornes Lapinel, who was a long-time resident of Manhattan and Bovina, also passed away in November. She was born in Cuba and came to New York City at the age of 16. She married Paul Lapinel in 1951. They would raise seven children. Margarita also pursued a graduate education in Anthropology. She instilled this appreciation of a value of good education in her children. She was survived by her seven children, 22 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren, as well as her sister Carmen Fornes Nute.

Margarita with her husband Paul. Photo courtesy of Dean Lapinel

Bovina native and long-time Bovina resident Mary Shoemaker died on Christmas Day at the age of 68. She was the daughter of John and Erika Weber and grew up on the Weber farm on Crescent Valley Road. She married Neil Shoemaker in 1969. She worked for the FBI as a fingerprint clerk in Washington DC in the late 1960s. She later was a home health aide. Mary was survived by her husband, four daughters, two grandchildren and two brothers. 

Children at the Maynard school in the 1950s, including Mary Weber Shoemaker (third from the right).