Saturday, October 31, 2020

This Day in Bovina for October 2020


Ninety-nine years ago today, on October 1, 1921, Jennet Isabella Doig died. She was born in 1867, the daughter of William S. Doig and Margaret Miller.

 

Forty-six years ago today, the October 2, 1974 Stamford Mirror Recorder carried this article listing new books at the Bovina Public Library: 

 

138 years ago today, on the evening of October 3, 1882, as later reported in the Stamford Mirror's Bovina column, "Some of our young men amused themselves by running horses through Brushland…." The action was "severely condemned by people generally…," partly because it was done "while people were on their way to Miss Meade's entertainment…" There also was damage to Dr. Telford's fence and several people were injured. "It is to be hoped that such a thing may not occur again."

 

134 years ago today, on October 4, 1886, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Stamford Mirror, "Madison McFarland, James L. Ormiston and Miss Addie Scott started for Missouri…going via Arkville and New York. Mr. Ormiston will return in a few weeks." It appears that at some point Madison McFarland also returned home, dying in Margaretville in 1914. Addie Loughran Scott did stay, marrying James H. Morrison in 1890.

 

140 years ago today, the Bovina column of the October 5, 1880 Stamford Mirror reported that "Dr. Dickson purchased a building lot of Rev. J. Kennedy, adjoining A.F. McPherson. Which of the fair ones are interested in that transaction?" This lot is where within the next year the building that is now the Brushland Eating House was constructed.

 

199 years ago today, on October 6, 1821, Nancy Armstrong Miller was born, the daughter of John Armstrong and Isabella Coulter. She married John Thomas Miller in 1949. They would have six children, one of whom died in infancy. Nancy died in 1868, leaving five children, ranging from 14 to 2 years old. Her last surviving child was Elizabeth, known later in life as Lib Blair. Lib died in 1965 when she was just shy of 99 years old. And in the interest of full disclosure, Nancy Miller is my three greats grandmother.

 

122 years ago, the October 7, 1898 Andes Recorder Bovina column reported that "George Forman, who lives at Abram Brandow’s, while out hunting recently, found Alex. Hilson’s money drawer which was taken from his safe when his store was robbed." It was found in the area of East Bramley Mountain Road. The robbery had taken place over a year and a half earlier in March 1897.

 

Fifty-six years ago today, the Bovina column of the October 8, 1964 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "Mr. and Mrs. Russell Ryder of the Bronx spent the weekend at their summer home here." This is now the home of Dario and Briana Riera.

 

132 years ago today, the October 9, 1888 Stamford Mirror reported that "D.J. Miller, of Bovina, has filled a 70 ton silo, the first one in that town."

 

191 years ago today, on October 10, 1829, Andrew Archibald, the ancestor of the Archibalds in Bovina, died at the age of 83. He was born in Lanarkshire, Scotland in 1745. He married Grace Hart in Scotland in 1778 where their children were born. Andrew is buried in Bovina in the Associate Presbyterian Church cemetery at Reinertsen Hill Road.

 

115 years ago today, the Delaware Gazette for October 11, 1905, reported that "Dr. Young of New York has purchased the practice of Dr. Rabuck, Bovina Centre, and taken possession. He will occupy Dr. Rabuck's furnished apartments in J.W. Coulter's house for the present. Dr. Rabuck will not practice for a time on account of nervous trouble." For more information on Drs. Rabuck and Young, visit the Bovina History Blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2014/08/the-succession-of-physicians-bovina.html.

 

200 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.

 

Forty-nine years ago today, the Bovina column of the October 13, 1971 Stamford Mirror Recorder reported on a couple of its citizens' travels: "Mr. and Mrs. Clayton Thomas left Wednesday for a trip to the west coast." The same column reported a return: "Mr. and Mrs. Clark lay have returned form a vacation trip to Wisconsin where they visited relatives."

 

157 years ago today, on October 14, 1863, Robert Dysart died on Folly Island, South Carolina of typhoid fever while serving in the 144th NY Infantry. More information about Robert can be found at the Bovina NY History Blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2013/12/illegitimate-child-of-robert-dysart.html

 

146 years ago today, on October 15, 1874, as later reported in the Delaware Gazette, "Mr. Alexander Liddle, of Bovina, was using his new horse power thresher at the barn of Mr. John O. Liddle, of Andes, in feeding the machine his right hand came in contact with the knives of the revolving cylinder, and was instantly torn into shreds, as high as and above the wrist. Amputation of the arm was rendered necessary and was performed the same evening by Drs. Wight and Crawford, while the patient was narcotized by ether. - Mr. Liddle was able to ride home the next day, and at last accounts was doing as well as could be expected." This Alexander Liddle likely was the son of John O. Liddle. Alexander was a Civil War veteran. He would survive this accident 44 years, dying in 1918.

 

Seventy-nine years ago today, the Bovina column in the October 16, 1941 Delaware Republican included this item: "The ladies of the U.P. Church are serving a chicken pie supper at the church parlors, October 21, beginning at five-thirty p.m."

 

Eighty years ago today, on the Bovina column of the October 17, 1940 Delaware Republican reported that "John McCune has been ill the past week. David Roberts has been caring for the U.P. Church in his stead." John McCune died in 1942.

 

200 years ago today, on October 18, 1820, Adam Kedzie died in Bovina at age 31.  On December 6, his wife Mary, administratrix of his estate, along with his two brothers, James and William  auctioned off Adam's horses, cattle, sheep and farming utensils at a public auction.  Mary died in 1830.

 

The Catskill Mountain News reported the arrest of "'Billy' Reed of Bovina' 108 years ago on October 19, 1912. He was arrested "on the charge of public intoxication and sentenced … to 30 days in Delhi jail…" The paper went on to note that this "must seem like going home to Billy." Reed appeared in the 1910 census for Bovina, listed as a servant in the home of Frank and Agnes Coulter.

 

105 years ago today, the October 20, 1915 Delaware Gazette reported the following: "The body of James D. Boyd, late of Bovina was brought here from New York last Friday for interment. He went to New York four weeks ago and was operated on for gall stones and seemed to be recovering until last week when he died, Thursday. A widow and three grown daughters survive, also four sisters, Mrs. Albert Strickland and Miss Flora Boyd of ‘Delhi, Mrs. E. Coan of Bloomville, and a brother F. M. Boyd of East Meredith. His age was 63 years. The remains were taken to Bovina Center Saturday where the funeral and burial took place." James was 62 years old at his passing.

 

Eighty-seven years ago today, the Bovina column in the October 21, 1943 Delaware Republican-Express carried this item: "War Ration Box No. 4 will be issued at the Bovina Center School on Friday, Oct. 29th, from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m, and on Saturday, Oct. 30th, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Bring War Ration Book 3 properly filled out. Applications for War Ration Book 4 may be secured at the stores or at the Post Office or the schools. Fill out only one application for each family group."

 

131 years ago today, the October 22, 1889 Stamford Mirror had the following item: "Alexander White, an extensive farmer at Belle Plaine, Iowa, has been visiting friends in Bovina, it being nineteen years since he was home last. He expects to bid his aged mother a last farewell. She is the oldest lady in Bovina, being upwards of ninety years of age. In return home, he expects to visit, in Chicago, his cousins, the Rev. John Graham's sons." Mrs. White, born Anna Graham in Scotland in 1799, survived her son's visit by almost 4 years, dying in 1893 when she was 94.

 

200 years ago today, on October 23, 1820, Mary Ann McPherson was born in Bovina, the daughter of Alexander McPherson and Eliza Yeomans. She married James Rutherford in 1847 and died in Franklin, NY in 1902 at the age of 81.

 

Ninety-one years ago today, on October 24, 1929, as later reported in the Bovina Center column of the Delaware Republican, "Adam Laidlaw and family, Mr. and Mrs. Humbert of New York were at Howe Caverns on Thursday."

 

111 years ago today, on October 25, 1909, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, "Mr and Mrs. E.G. Gladstone and Mr. and Mrs. William J. Doig of Bovina Centre were guests at the home of James Coulter on Wednesday [in Margaretville] while enroute to Colorado where they will reside hereafter."

 

200 years ago today, October 26, 1820, Andrew T. Thomson was born, the son of Andrew Thomson and Elizabeth Rutherford. He married Elizabeth Dunn and died June 6, 1861.

 

109 years ago, the Bovina column of the Andes Recorder for October 27, 1911 reported that "Miss Jennie E. Hoy is visiting Andes relatives." She wasn't the only person reported as going to Andes. The same column noted that "J.T. Barnhart made a trip to Andes early in the week." Also reported in Andes during the past week were Mrs. Alex Crosier and daughter and Thomas C. Strangeway. The latter was there to purchase two cows.

 

Sixty-six years ago today, the October 28, 1954 Delaware Republican-Express reported that "Former Bovina Pastor Dies." Rev. W.L.C. Samson, who had been pastor of the Bovina UP Church from 1895 to 1906, died "in Pittsburg, Pa., where he had preached until he was past 90." After he left Bovina, he was in California until 1914 then moved on to Pittsburgh. 


 

One hundred years ago today, October 29, 1920, William J. Storie hosted a Halloween Party. This is the invitation received by my grandmother, Anna Bell Calhoun.  



 

185 years ago today, a notice dated October 30, 1835 was posted in the Delaware Gazetter: "Application will be made to the next Legislature of the State of New York, by the Directors of the Bovina Subscription Library, for an act of incorporation." It was signed by Adam Scott, Samuel Gordon and Andrew McFarland.

 

200 years ago today, October 31, 1820, Jannet Rutherford was born, the daughter of James Rutherford and Jennet Thomson. She died December 31, 1864 at age of 44.

Tuesday, October 20, 2020

Non-Bovina Bovina Postcards


Every once in a while, someone will alert me to a Bovina postcard. Often they end up being ones I have seen (though please never assume that - keep alerting me to cards). 

But occasionally, I get an alert to a card I've never seen before. Recently, Joan Burns gave me a postcard of Bovina and wanted to know where the view on the card was located. I quickly realized that it was a generic postcard view. I have scanned 3 of these in the past decade. One of the big clues is the text that says "Greetings from Bovina Center, N.Y." or "Greetings from Bovina, N.Y." It is clear that it was simply stamped on the generic card. The text showing a genuine view of Bovina is printed on the card, not stamped. 

Here's the postcard (it has a 1933 postmark) that Joan Burns gave me:


This undated postcard came from Chuck McIntosh. 

I briefly wondered if it was Bovina because it had a very slight resemblance to this view (this is County Route 6 just outside of the Bovina Center hamlet and just before you get to Russell Hill Road):


But I highly doubt the color image is from Bovina, though the merchant selling this card may have chosen the design for that reason. 

And from 1929 is this view of a child with sheep, also from Chuck McIntosh. In the 19th century, Bovina had a lot of sheep but that population dropped significantly and in the 20th century there were few sheep. 


I'm always on the lookout for new postcard views of Bovina, so keep them coming!

Saturday, October 10, 2020

October 1920 - 100 Years Ago "in that Thriving Town"

The news reported by the Andes Recorder about Bovina from 100 years ago this month included the rather sudden closing of the Dry Milk Plant, which was behind the creamery.

October 1, 1920
It is stated that the Dry Milk company will refuse to take any milk after October 1.
Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Thomson are spending the week at Patchogue, Long Island.
Robert R. Gladstone moved Wednesday to the Ella Miller house which he recently purchased.
Dixon Thomson has had his residence (the Dr. Phinney house) treated to a new dress of paint.
Miss Jennie E. Miller’s sale held on Tuesday was largely attended and good prices were received.
Miss Jennie Miller, who recently sold her house, has taken a room at Thomas Gordon’s and will board with them.

Bovina Man Has an Accident
    Wednesday morning while James Robson, on the Luddington farm near Lake Delaware, was after his cows and was carrying a lantern he fell and landed on the lantern.  His side was injured and it is thought that a rib or two was cracked.  The lantern was a wreck.

Native of Bovina Dead
Professor James E. Hastings Passed Away at Cape May, NJ
    Professor James B. Hastings died on Friday September 24, after a brief illness, at his home at Cape May, NJ.  No details concerning his sickness have been received, and a letter no later than Tuesday stated that he was in good health.  The body was taken to Franklin, where interment was made Tuesday in the Ouleout Valley cemetery.
    Professor Hastings was 60 years of age and was a native of Bovina, his parents being the late Mr. and Mrs. Thomas E. Hastings. He was a graduate of the Delaware Literary institute and of Hamilton college.  His life work was that of a teacher.  For several years he was an instructor in the D.L.I. at Franklin and also at Stamford, Hobart and Davenport and for the past 17 years he had been teaching at Cape May.
    Surviving are three brothers, Elmer of Saranac Lake, William E. of Oneonta, and Milton of Bovina; also one sister, Miss Jane M. Hastings of Fleischmanns.  His wife, who was Miss Jessie Sherman of Davenport, died about 13 years ago.

October 8, 1920
Lancelot Thomson has been on the sick list, but is out again.
Mrs. John Blair is on the sick list with a nurse in attendance.
Born to Mr. and Mrs. Emil Schneider on October 1, a daughter.
Mrs. Frank Coulter, who has been on the sick list, is improving.
James A. Gow was home from Charlotteville from Saturday until Wednesday.
Donald Lee has resumed his studies at Cornell University. His brother, Edgar, is taking the agricultural course at Cornell.

Bovina Dry Milk Closed
    Two days before October 1, the Dry Milk company notified the directors of the Bovina Center Co-Op creamery that they would not take the milk after October 1.  Their contract provided that they must give 30 days notice.  Dan Franklin is now getting the cream but the skim milk is either taken home by the farmer or allowed to run down the creek.  The Dry Milk plant is closed.  They had the cheek to offer 20 cents for skim milk.  An autopsy should be performed to see if the company does not have enlargement of the heart.

October 15, 1920
David Currie is on the sick list.
The new town roller arrived Friday.
Nelson Siring is doing concrete work in town.
The Dry Milk Co is painting the interior of their plant.
Mr. Morrison, our new blacksmith, moved his family here this week from Charlotville.

October 22, 1920
About 460 voters are registered this year in Bovina.
Mr. and Mrs. Howden moved Wednesday to the Oliver house on the Gerry estate.  A surprise party was given Mrs. Howden at Rev. Crawford’s.
Mrs. Edward L. Coulter died at her home in Bovina on Friday, October 15 at the age of 67 years.  She had been in poor health for a number of years and last Wednesday she had a shock and never regained consciousness.  She was born on Coulter Brook, her maiden name being Jane Forrest. She leaves a husband and two sons.  The funeral was held Monday with interment in the Bovina Center cemetery.

Bovina Farm Sold
    Mrs. Stephen R. Seacord has sold the Seacord homestead farm in southern Bovina to Milton Davis, of Kansas. The sale includes the stock and other personal property and the price received was $8,000.  The new owner is already in possession.  Mrs. Seacord expects to remain in part of the house for the present.

October 29, 1920
Voters in Bovina next Tuesday will receive four ballots – presidential, the state ticket, amendments and a town proposition.
The directors of the Bovina Center Co-Operative Creamery have leased the plant to Dan Franklin, to begin with November 1.
The Dry Milk Co have discharged all their men except four and these go as soon as the work of taking the can washer and ice machine out of the creamery is completed.
Mrs. John L. Gordon died at her home in New York City on Sabbath morning, October 24, from cancer of the liver.  She was the daughter of William Rogers and her summers since early childhood had been spent at Lake Delaware.  She leaves two sons.