This Day in Bovina for December 2021

200 years ago today, December 1, 2021, a seventh school district was created in Bovina in the area of southern Bovina. 

Eighty years ago today, on December 2, 1941, as later reported in the Bovina column of the Delaware Republican, "Mr. and Mrs. Gay Hafele received word…from California of the death of Mrs. Carrie Doig, the widow of the late Andrew Doig. The remains are on the way here for burial in the Bovina Cemetery." Andrew Doig owned what is now Russell's Store until 1919 when he sold it to Cecil Russell. He died unexpectedly in 1924.

Sixty-seven years ago today, the Bovina column of the December 3, 1954 Catskill Mountain News reported that "Mrs. Glenn Hobbie was the only woman deer hunter in this area to get her deer. She shot a three-point buck weighing 140 pounds on Tuesday." Mrs. Hobbie was Anna Boggs Hobbie Lounsbury, who passed away in 2009.

Twenty-five years ago today, the December 4, 1996 Walton Reporter carried the following in its Bovina column: "The Bovina Happy Hearts 4-H club held its first meeting of the year on Oct 25 at the Bovina community hall with 19 members present. The officers elected were: president Tom Weber; vice president Brad Darling; secretary, Beth Rossley; treasurer, Heather Hilson; corresponding secretary, Amber Darling; news reporter, Leanne Stewart; games leaders, Cody Weber and Jordan Dibble; song leaders, Erin Mcintosh and Linda Darling; and snack leader, Danielle Stewart.

168 years ago today, the December 5, 1853 Bloomville Mirror carried this ad for the sale of a farm near Bovina Center. I'm not totally sure where this was located, but it might have been what is now the Gullow farm, which is about a mile and a half from Bovina Center going east on County Route 6. 

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

Ninety-two years ago today, on December 7, 1929, as later reported in the Catskill Mountain News, "M.O. Miller while at the farm in Bovina last Saturday was injured by a horse, and was brought to the office of Dr. C.L. Wakeman, who found that his right shoulder had been dislocated. He will be compelled to favor the injured member for some time but it is hoped that no other trouble may develop." This likely is Mural Oliver Miller, who would have been 33 at the time of this accident. He recovered and was 79 at his death in 1976.

172 years ago today, the December 8, 1849 Kingston Daily Freeman carried this small item: "The Delaware People’s Press states that the article about the murder at Bovina, in that county going the rounds of the press, is a base fabrication from beginning to end." This appears to concern the case of Daniel Frazier, who was reported as having killed his father, also named Daniel. It does appear to have been a false article. Nothing showed up in the court records that there was a murder, though the family appeared to have been involved in a case of assault and battery around this time.

124 years ago today, December 9, 1897, Mary Gordon McLean, sister of Thomas Gordon, wrote this letter from her home in Laurel Bank, Scotland to her brother in Bovina. Thomas had been widowed earlier that same year. She mentions the monument, meaning the one to his wife (and his daughter who died at the end of 1896) and the fact that he's living in lodgings after giving up the farm that had been in his late wife's family. More on Tom Gordon's life appears in the Bovina NY History blog at http://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2021/04/the-people-of-county-who-knew-him-will.html.

The thermometer registered from 2 to 5 degrees below zero 121 years ago today on December 10, 1900.

Eighty years ago today, on December 11, 1941, Celia Coulter sent a letter from Bovina to her friend Marjorie Russell, who was teaching home economics in Ohio. The first page shown includes a comment about getting "a grim set of facts from the news.." Her reference, of course, is to the attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7.  "The dominie" she mentions was the Bovina UP Church Pastor, Harvey McClellan. McClellan had tried to resign earlier in the year but was talked into staying. With the outbreak of war and the fact that he was going to be a naval chaplain, the church agreed to his going. I'm not sure about Mrs. Banuat - I think this was Craig Banuat's mother. If she did have cancer, she survived it, dying in 1968. 

Abigail Fuller was born 167 years ago today 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 on her 79th birthday, December 12, 1933 (eighty-eight years ago today).

133 years ago, the December 13th, 1888 Hobart Independent carried this brief item: "The population of Bovina Centre is about 215, one hundred males and one hundred and fifteen females."

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

Seventy-four years ago today, on December 15, 1947, Bovina native Harold Campbell was injured while working at a sawmill in Monticello - he was struck by a piece of wood. He developed pneumonia and died a few days later at the age of 53. Harold had moved to Monticello from Bovina about two years previously. His surviving sisters were Evelyn Campbell and Eleanor Worden.

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

131 years ago today, the Delaware Gazette for December 17, 1890, reported the following: "For Heresy - Five young clergymen, of whom the Rev. O.B. Milligan, recently of Bovina, seems to be a leader, were suspended by the Pittsburg Reformed Presbytery last Friday. Their offense is in the setting forth their belief that the exercise of the right of suffrage is not sinful, and that they will not forbid members to vote. They made a powerful defense and will appeal to the synod. They claim that they will be supported there by about one third of the clergy. If they fall, they will join the U.P. church, and claim they can take their congregations." Milligan was the pastor of the Bovina Reformed Presbyterian Church for in 1887, staying for about a year before leaving in 1888. And go to the Bovina NY History Blog for more about what happened to Rev. Milligan: https://bovinanyhistory.blogspot.com/2016/11/found-dead-in-his-study-with-heart.html 

Eighty years ago today, the Bovina column of the Delaware Republican for December 18, 1941 reported that "Mrs. Sara Archibald is much improved in health; she is able to be about the house part of the day. Her daughter, Mrs. Charles Lichtenberg returned to her home in Massachusetts last week; she had been with her mother for a month."

Ninety-five years ago today, on December 19, 1926, as later reported in the Andes Recorder, "Attorney Lauren Dickson, who came home from Binghamton to spend the holidays was taken to the Delhi hospital and operated upon for appendicitis...  It was a serious case." He would stay in Bovina about three months before returning to his duties in Binghamton. In October 1927 he died suddenly in Binghamton.

Ninety-three years ago today, the December 20, 1928 Stamford Mirror-Recorder carried this item: "Walter Coulter, with a few helpers, is tearing down the red barn by his mill. He will leave the basement and is taking the remainder up to the upper end of the village where he will make an up-to-date shop. They moved the large parts of the building with the tractor." This mill probably was in the vicinity of what is now the town highway garage. The building that Coulter moved still stands behind the house next to the Bovina UP Church now owned by Pat Parsons Miele. Walter Coulter was the grandfather of the late Herb Parsons.

Ninety-seven years ago today, on December 21, 1924, Gladys Reinertsen was born, the daughter of Andrew and Sophia [Larsen] Reinertsen. She grew up in Bovina and married Clark Lay  in 1946. She and Clark raised their four daughters in Bovina. Clark died in 2004. Gladys passed away in 2011. Photo of Gladys and Clark was taken on their wedding day by Bob Wyer.

Jane, the 15-month-old daughter of Walter Coulter and Margaret Storie, died 192 years ago today on December 22, 1829.  Out of the twelve children they would have, four would die before reaching adulthood - a fifth child, their eldest daughter, died six weeks after her marriage.

126 years ago today, 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.

Eleven years ago today, the December 24, 2010 issue of the Delaware County Times carried this item on its front page about Bovina's own Mary Hetterich qualifying for the All-State Women's Choir: 

131 years ago today, December 25, 1890, Thomas Ormiston was married to Maggie E. Boggs at the home of her parents, Thomas and Jane (Archibald) Boggs. The wedding also was the occasion to celebrate Mr. and Mrs. Boggs' 25th wedding anniversary. Thomas and Maggie Ormiston were the parents of 7 children, including daughters Lois (who married Fletcher Davidson), Ruth (who married Henry Monroe), Marian (who married Norma Spear) and Marjorie. They also had sons Wendell, Lloyd, and Edwin. They were married for 29 years until Thomas's death in 1919. Margaret lived to be just 3 months shy of 100, dying in 1966.

Fifty-eight years ago today, the December 26, 1963 issue of the Catskill Mountain News carried this obituary for Thomas Archibald, who had died on December 19:  

140 years ago today, the Bovina column in the December 27, 1881 Stamford Mirror reported that "Wm. Richardson has sold his premises (the Henry McDonald place) to Alexander Hoy." This property would later become my house. The same paper also reported that "Dr. Dickson has moved his drugs and medicines to the basement of his new building." This is now the Brushland Eating House.

Eighty-two years ago today, the December 28, 1939 Mexico Independent (Mexico is a town in Oswego County) carried this death notice and obituary for W. Elliott Thomson, one of the last blacksmiths in Bovina. He was living with his daughter in Mexico for a few years before his death: 

122 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 154 years ago today:  "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.

155 years ago today, 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[olved] 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[olved] 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[olved] 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

December 1921 - 100 Years Ago in "That Thriving Town"

December 2, 1921

• Dr. Frisbee of Andes, is organizing a singing class in town.

• The heavy rains of Monday was followed by a heavy sleet storm.

• John H. Hilson and family spent Thanksgiving at Frank Dickson’s on the Little Delaware.

• Alex Myers is engaged in putting the priming coat of paint on Thos C. Strangeway’s new house.

• Plans are under way for a Community Christmas Tree to be held in the U.P. church on the evening of December 23.

• The second number of the entertainment course was held Saturday night – Warren Colsten, impersonator and entertainer.

• Mrs. James D. Calhoun has purchased of Hale Elliott what is known as the Thomas Hoy place at the upper end of Bovina Center [this is now the home of Len and Ann Cairns].

• On Thanksgiving day the Misses Kate and Frederika Muller had a dinner party and the table was graced with violets picked in their own yard.

Bovina Church Property Sold

Methodist Church and Parsonage Disposed of at Auction Saturday

The Bovina Methodist Episcopal church and parsonage was sold at auction at Bovina Center on Saturday, November 26, having served its usefulness.

The parsonage was purchased by Charles Hafele for his son, Gailie Hafele, for $1,025.  The church property was bid off by William Archibald for $775.  Mr. Archibald will retain the land and D.C. Worden takes the church building which will be torn down.  Thus passes an old landmark, which for many decades has stood on the eminence with its spire pointing to the heavens.

The seats were purchased by the Pleasant Valley Methodist church and Charles Hafele purchased the pulpit and organ.  The furnace was sold to Mrs. Dixon Thomson for $2.  The memorial windows were reserved.

Methodism in Bovina dates from the time when Alex Brush, the second settler in the town, was a local preacher, preaching in his own house and others.  Rev. William Jewett was the first regular pastor and from 1812 until 1849 services were held in houses, barns, school houses and groves.  In 1849 – 82 years ago – the present edifice was built and was dedicated August 22 of that year.  

December 9, 1921

• Charles Hafele, who purchased the Methodist parsonage, has sold the same to Fred Thomson for $1,125, making $100 on the deal.

• Walter Ringhold, former superintendent of the Gerry estate at Lake Delaware, is bargaining for the purchased of the Dennis house and lot in the village.  He desires to engage in bee keeping.

• Bovina real estate transfers recorded are Vernon S. Beckwith and wife to Ernest Houck, $5,000.  Mr. Houck purchases the half interest of his partner in the former Brown farm in southern Bovina.

Delaware Co Term of Court

Late Monday afternoon a jury was obtained and the case of Anthony Banuat vs. Jean Muller was opened.  This is a matter of assault, Muller, the defendant, having been indicted by the last grand jury.  The parties are from Bovina and the alleged assault was made while the plaintiff was endeavoring to collect a school tax in the fall of 1920.  The jury returned a verdict of guilty in the 3d degree.

December 16, 1921

• The children are practicing for the exercises to be held in connection with the Christmas tree to be held on the evening of December 23.

• The singing school is progressing nicely under the leadership of H.W. Frisbee, of Andes.  Last Friday evening there was an attendance of 42.

• James Ackerley has purchased from Don Northrup, of Colchester, the old house and lot adjoining the residence of Alex Hilson in the village.  Mr. Ackerley will either tear the house down and erect a new one or re-model the present structure.

Delaware Co Term of Court

In the Bovina case of Anthony Banuat against Jean Muller, assault in the 3d degree, Judge McNaught fined Muller $50 and 6 months in penitentiary.  The prison sentence was suspended and he is to report monthly to the Judge.

December 23, 1921

• Mr. and Mrs. William O. McDivitt have moved to Cleveland, Ohio.

• Bovina was visited by a high wind last Saturday night but no serious damage was done.

• Bovina in former years has been not noted for its low taxes, but this year it is anything but low.

• Lauren Dickson, who is attending law school at Yale, is home for the Christmas holidays.

• Mrs. Gustave Lifgren is visiting in New York City.  Miss Mary Ackerley accompanied her to consult Dr. Lorenze, the Austrian surgeon.

• Claude S. Terry has sold his interest in the garage business of Terry & Davidson to Henry Monroe and the new firm will be Davidson & Monroe.

• Bovina had a double wedding last Thursday evening, December 15.  The contracting parties were Miss Viola Russell and Winifred Barnhart, both of this town, and Alfred Russell, of Bovina, and Miss Katherine Oliver, of Delhi.  Mrs. Russell is a granddaughter of the late Walter Amos of southern Bovina.

• James C. Mabon had a narrow escape last Saturday from having all of the fingers on his right hand cut off by his buzz saw.  He had been sawing up the trees from his sugar camp broken down by the recent ice storm, and had only two more cuts to make on the last stick when the saw caught his glove.  He jerked the table back but not quick enough to prevent the saw cutting a gash into the back of everyone of his fingers between the first and second joints.

December 30, 1921

• Mrs. Elizabeth Irvine has been under the doctor’s care the past week, but is now improving.

• James Ackerley, who recently purchased the Northrup house, has begun the work of re-modeling.

• Henry Monroe has rented rooms in part of Mrs. Thomas Gordon’s house and will move in Saturday.

• Mr. and Mrs. John Coulter, of Yonkers, and Mr. and Mrs. William C. Oliver, of Harpersfield spent Christmas at John Northrup’s.

• Mrs. Scovel and three children, from near Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, are spending the holidays with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Decker.

• Miss Jennie M. Hastings came Friday to visit her brother, Milton, and on Saturday, accompanied by Miss Lily Happy, she went to Saranac, to visit her brother.

• A large crowd attended the Christmas tree and exercises held last Friday evening at the U.P. church.  After the program Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus appeared and gave out the gifts.

• The remains of Violet Hewitt, the little daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Hewitt, of Margaretville, were brought here Saturday for burial.  The child died December 21, in the hospital at Kingston following an operation for appendicitis.